Princes Street Gardens are a lush, verdant expanse of open space in the city centre of Edinburgh, Scotland. The skyline is dominated by majestic Edinburgh Castle on one side and a bustling shopping street on the other. The gardens are peppered with historical monuments, fountains and areas from which to host seasonal markets, performances and pop concerts.
Princes Street Gardens has both botanical and geological areas of interest. In 2011, it was awarded the prestigious Green Flag status. The gardens are divided into east and west sectors, each with impressive floral displays, fountains and statues. During summer months, the gardens play host to live concerts, plays and performances. It’s the ideal place in which to sit with a picnic and listen to music or admire the architecture of Edinburgh Castle. During the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the gardens come to life. There’s market stalls, music tents, food carts and stages host performers from all over the world. When the end of the year comes, the Winter Wonderland ice rink and continental Christmas market spread festive cheer across the city. Wooden houses sell mulled wine, gingerbread and locally made handicrafts to allow city visitors to get into the Christmas spirit. There’s plenty to see throughout the gardens. One of the highlights includes the world’s first Floral Clock at the eastern entrance. The Festival Wheel allows visitors to view the castle, Princes Street, and its gardens from a great height as the Ferris Wheel turns. The most prominent piece of architecture is the Scott Monument. This Victorian Gothic spire is dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, the Scottish author. It is the largest monument in the world dedicated to a writer.
Reaching Princes Street Gardens is easy. Located on one of the main shopping thoroughfares of the city, Princes Street is directly in the city centre and can be walked to in minutes from the shops. It takes approximately 12 minutes to walk from Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. If arriving from Edinburgh Airport, there are Airlink buses which transport travellers to Princes Street. If coming into the city by train, it’s a 4 minutes’ walk from Waverley Railway Station. Buses and trams also operate throughout the city to the perimeter of the gardens.
Princes Street Gardens were constructed in two phases following the draining of the loch near its site. The gardens to the west were originally privately owned by the shop proprietors on Princes Street. Today, the gardens are popular throughout the year with locals taking a walk during a well-earned lunch break, or visitors eager to see the monuments, floral displays, concerts and magnificent views of Edinburgh Castle.