{Edinburgh} Princes Street Gardens Playground
We don’t have may themed playgrounds here in Edinburgh (something I really miss from Berlin) but there is one that stands out to locals and visitors alike. The playground in Princes Street Gardens, at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, is appropriately – you’ve guess it – castle themed. The multi-play unit includes several slides, climbing nets and walls, and a few other features. And on top if it all, you can pretend you’re living in a castle while you play!
There are also a few other pieces of play equipment, including spring rockers, a hammock, a couple of spinning discs/ bowls, and some activity boards for little ones. Two of the bigger pieces of equipment are sadly missing – if you search for older pictures of the park online, you’ll see there was also a large rope swing and a spinning climbing net, of which only the bases remain. No news on whether these will be replaced any time soon. But it’s still a fun wee playground without them.
My 7 year old loves this playground (who doesn’t love a castle!), but while my 11 year old also enjoys it, he’s starting to outgrow it. I think if the missing equipment was replaced, it might hold his attention longer. It’s still worth a trip across town here though, as the playground is only part of Princes Street Gardens. You can also go for walks, have a picnic, pop in to some shops across the road, and of course take lots of pictures of Edinburgh Castle from one of its best angles. Right next to the playground is a cafe and beer garden pavilion, to fulfil your ice cream and coffee cravings. And the public toilets by the Ross Bandstand are only a few minutes walk away.
Gallery
Playground Stats
Name: West Princes Street Gardens
Location: Princes Street, Edinburgh
Map coordinates: 55.95, -3.20439
Best for: Toddlers, Juniors
Ground cover: Rubber
Rating: Thumbs up
Facilities
- Benches
- Picnic tables
- Pavilion Cafe & Beer Garden (for ice cream/ coffee)
- Public toilets
Play Equipment
- Castle themed multi-play unit with three different height slides
- Climbing wall
- Climbing net
- Balancing beam/ bridge
- Spring rockers
- Hammock
- Mini roundabout/ spinning disc
- Activity boards
How to get there
The playground is located in the western corner of West Princes Street Gardens, at the west end of Princes Street. Being right in the middle of the city centre, there are plenty of buses that will take you there, as well as the nearby tram.
Closest Tram Stop
Princes Street (5 mins walk)
Closest Bus Stops
Around two dozen different buses stop alongside or opposite West Princes Street Gardens, all within a 1 to 5 minute walk of the playground. You can also take a bus to the bottom of Lothian Road and then take a shortcut walking through the churchyard of St Cuthbert’s Parish Church.
Check out our A to Z map of public playgrounds in Edinburgh to plan your next playground visit, and let us know your favourites that you think we should check out in the comments below!
(post edited 04/05/22 to add new photos)
