We all love vacations and always dream of going to incredible places. While enjoying a moment of relaxation and tranquillity, you can gain valuable insights and knowledge from observing and learning about nature. And to explore and gain knowledge, botanical gardens are the best.

One of the best botanical gardens in Edinburgh is famously known as the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. You cannot resist and avoid its beauty.

There are many monuments, plants and tree species, plantations, shrubs, waterfalls, and a pond that you may not be aware of but would love once you see it.

1. History of the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was first located in Holyrood. In 1670, the garden was established by Dr Robert Sibbald and Dr Andrew Balfour. They studied medicinal plants but later, it was shifted away from the city pollution to a less polluted area to maintain its growth and keep it safe. 

2. Location

The Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh is located in Kew, London. It is located in the United Kingdom at 20A Inverleith Row, specifically in Inverleith, which is one mile north of the city centre.

There are two entrances to the garden: the East Gate on Inverleith Row and the West Gate and John Hope Gateway on Arboretum Place. The garden is accessible from various parts of the city. You can walk to explore the botanic garden and its different places there.

3. How to Visit the Botanical Garden in Edinburgh 

There are parts of the city that are worth exploring, such as Leith Walk. You can take a walk to the botanic garden and explore its various areas. It is a great place to visit. You will experience one of the best forms of nature during that time. 

Touristic guides are available to hire and help you know about these places. During that time, one can witness the beautiful sights of nature. There is always a bus service available to reach there.

If you are someone who loves to know more about nature, then this is the best place.

4. Famous Spots to Explore

The botanic garden in Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful spots to explore. You can sit and enjoy the capital’s skylines and Edinburgh’s castle. There are many different plantations, horticulture, gardens, monuments, and places. You can also visit many educational areas and take part in various events.

For example, orchids, cycads, palm houses, rock gardens, temperate palm houses, woodland gardens, Inverleith Row Edinburgh, Holyrood Park, Chinese hillside, etc. You can also buy gifts, plants, art and souvenirs for your friends and family from the Botanics shop available there.

4.1. Rock Garden

You have to visit the Rock Garden when visiting the botanic garden in Edinburgh. There is a collection of over 5,000 different plants from across the world, like Asia, Africa etc. 

4.2. Chinese Hillside Garden 

If you have a penchant for Chinese flora, this region is worth visiting. You can obtain an overview of their plantations. Over 1600 flowers from China are available there.

4.3. The Glass Houses

You can visit the botanic garden for free, except for the monument known as the Glass House. Although admission is not free, viewing this will offer breathtaking scenic beauty for your enjoyment. Some of the rarest and most threatened plants have been preserved. In addition, the plants available from different regions of the world are also present there.

4.4. Palm House

Palm House is also one of the monuments present in the botanic garden. If you love to watch tall and massive attractions, then it is the best place to visit. People travel across the overseas to experience this and love to watch these trees and plantations.

4.5. Inverleith House

Inverleith House was first built for Sir James Rocheid, a 19th-century agriculturist, in  1773 but later was bought by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 1877. It is now a premier gallery of RGBE containing unique art and enclosed with plants. Sir James Rocheid previously owned this estate, but later on, it became a part of RGBE.

4.6. The Gardeners Cottage

The Gardeners Cottage is one of the oldest buildings there and is also the main entrance to the Royal Botanic Garden.

This place offers teaching sessions for medical students to teach botany. However, this place is now used to organize private workshops and classes for the students. But now they organize some events that you can attend and enjoy.

4.7. The Garden of Tranquility

The Garden of Tranquility is made using donations and funding. Feel free to explore that place at no cost, according to your preference. You can visit the area to gain a better understanding of the significance of plants. In fact, you will get to know how it is important for your well-being.

4.8. Caledonian Hall

Caledonian Hall was built by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society to host shows. But now you can visit there and see preserved plant species. You can see more than 3 million flowerheads in it. However, you can also experience a waterfall over there.

Final Note

The Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh is a visually stunning destination. Since it’s free to visit, why not take full advantage of everything the garden has to offer? Capture some incredible photos to remember your experience and learn something new while you’re there. You might not even realize how much knowledge you’ve gained while simply enjoying nature!

Last Updated on November 25, 2023 by Apeksha Soni