Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
A national treasure of Scotland, our spectacular Living Collection of plants is over 350 years old.
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When visiting Scotland, a trip to the world-famous Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is unmissable. Experience an extravaganza of plants from around the world, learn about the Garden's rich and diverse Living Collection and discover a history dating back to the 17th century.
Set in over 70 acres of beautiful landscape and just one mile north of the city centre, the Garden offers superb panoramic views of the city skyline featuring Edinburgh Castle. The Botanics, as the Garden is affectionately known locally, is breathtaking at any time of year.
Garden highlights include the Rock Garden, the Alpine Houses, Woodland Garden, Pond, the Arboretum or tree collection, the Chinese Hillside, the Rhododendron Collection and the Scottish Native Plants Collection in the Heath Garden.
Visitors cannot help but leave with a deeper appreciation and understanding of the importance of plants in our world, and the need to support the Garden's important work.
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Visitor information
Please note that our Glasshouses are currently closed as part of Edinburgh Biomes, the Garden’s major restoration and construction project. Work is now underway to protect our globally important Living Collection of plants for future generations. We apologise for any inconvenience.Opening times
The Garden is open daily*.
November to January:
10am - 4pm (last entry 3.15pm)
October and February:
10am - 5pm (last entry 4.15pm)
March to September:
10am - 6pm (last entry 5.15pm)
* closed 25 December and 1 JanuaryIn extreme weather the Garden may close. Please check this website for updates.
Admission
Garden entry FREE
Temporary access changes
Please look out for Edinburgh Biomes signs during your visit. They will advise you of temporary access changes while work on the Edinburgh Biomes project is progressing.
Plan your visit
Ways to explore
Explore the Garden
Time | Description |
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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, a world centre of engagement with plants and globally important conservation collection | |
the Wollemi pine, Wollemia nobilis, critically endangered in the wild | |
Chinese paperback maple, Acer griseum, isolated in fragmented populations in the wild | |
the maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba, oce thought to be extinct in the wild, thriving at the Botanics | |
Edinburgh showcases the world of rhododendrons. The Garden is the guardian of a globally important collection [image of plant label 'Rhododendron macbeanum, Conservation Status: Endangered'] | |
Plant collections from China...to Nepal...and Scotland. Safeguarding biodiversity. | |
the wooly willow, Salix lanata, vulnerable in the UK | |
Catacol whitebeam, Hedlundia pseudomeinichii, critically endangered. | |
Plant conservation in Scotland for the word |
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Getting there
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has two entrances: the West Gate on Arboretum Place (EH3 5NZ) and the East Gate on Inverleith Row (EH3 5LP).
Bus: The Garden's East Gate entrance on Inverleith Row is served by bus routes 8, 9, 23 and 27 from the City Centre. The West Gate (John Hope Gateway visitor centre) on Arboretum Place is served by Lothian Buses 29 and 24 via Stockbridge and the Majestic Bus Tour (0131 220 0770).
Bicycle: Bicycle stands can be found at the East Gate and the West Gate.
Car: There is metered on-street parking available near the Garden’s West Gate (John Hope Gateway) on Arboretum Place. Blue Badge parking spaces are located on Arboretum Place, see the Accessibility section of our website for more information.
Address: 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR
Seasonal highlights
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Contact the Visitor Welcome Team
If you have any queries relating to visitor facilities, accessibility or Lost Property, please call us on 0131 248 2909 or get in touch by using the enquiry form.
If you wish to make a complaint, please read the Complaints procedure.
Get in touch