A-Z of Secret Edinburgh: Gardens of the Royal Mile
Few people would associate the High Street (for that’s what locals call the Royal Mile) with greenery but behind the towering tenements and down picturesque closes and vennels hide a surprising number of tiny gardens, nooks and crannies waiting to be explored – and all with a story to tell.
A great place to recharge your batteries
The gardens of the Royal Mile are a great place to recharge your batteries whilst sight-seeing or shopping or simply enjoy your lunch in peace and quiet.
The most famous of the secret gardens are at Dunbar’s Close, next to Canongate Kirk, but there are many others. Choose from public, private and community ones such as Chessel’s Court or Sandeman House gardens at Trunks Court which you can discover for yourself or by joining local lady, and secret garden guru, Jean Bareham on her knowledgeable Green Yonder tours.
Gardens open dawn til dusk. Green Yonder tours every Friday morning and Sunday afternoon April – October and six days a week during August. Meet at John Knox House on the Royal Mile.
