Princes Street Gardens

West & East Princes Street Gardens

Lawns right under Castle Rock, with a fountain to rest by

Hours

Open daytime; closing varies by season (check on site)

Tickets

Free

Address

Along the south side of Princes Street below Castle Rock, split east and west by The Mound

The gardens fill a valley that used to be a filthy loch. Lie on the lawn and Castle Rock rises straight overhead; in the West Gardens the gilded, teal-painted Ross Fountain stands with the castle behind it. At lunchtime office workers and visitors share the benches, while trains slide along the valley floor. From mid-November the East Gardens fill with the Christmas market and a big wheel.