West Princes Street Gardens Playground

{Edinburgh} Princes Street Gardens Playground

UPDATE 21/02/2024: The Playground in Princes Street Gardens is being refurbished. The main Castle structure was in disrepair, and we thought it was going to fixed up but it seems like they have removed the whole playground! Below is what the site looks like just now. Word has it the new playground will be ready sometime in Spring. I really hope it’s going to have as much character as the old Castle themed one, and that they are not just replacing it with generic playground equipment.


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!

West Princes Street Gardens Playground

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.

West Princes Street Gardens Playground

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)

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