Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Name: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Address: 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, GB
Telephone: +44 131 248 2909

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About

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a 70-acre botanic garden and plant science centre in Inverleith, one mile from Edinburgh city centre.

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What's on here

The Treecreepers Birdwatching Group Sunday, 12:003.96 GBP

Why go

Around 13,300 living plant species from around the world.
The UK’s second-oldest botanical garden, founded in 1670.
A 165-metre herbaceous border backed by a century-old beech hedge.
Scottish Heath Garden, Chinese Hillside and Peat Walls.

Opening hours

Today10:00 – 15:30Show all

Monday10:00 – 15:30

Tuesday10:00 – 15:30

Wednesday10:00 – 15:30

Thursday10:00 – 15:30

Friday10:00 – 15:30

Saturday10:00 – 15:30

Sunday10:00 – 15:30

Don't miss

Botanic CottageAn education centre in a house built in 1764–65 and designed by John Adam and James Craig.
Barbara Hepworth sculpturesTwo sculptures by Barbara Hepworth are displayed in the gardens.
Botanical libraryScotland’s national reference collection for botanical and horticultural resources, open to members of the public.
Inverleith HouseAn 18th-century house in the centre of the gardens that has served as a contemporary art gallery.Centre of the gardens

Shorts

History

Sir Patrick Murray’s private plant collection formed the basis of the garden. Its regional network later expanded with Benmore in 1929, Logan in 1969 and Dawyck in 1978.

1670Doctors Robert Sibbald and Andrew Balfour established a medicinal plant garden at St. Anne’s Yard near Holyrood Palace.
1763The garden moved to Leith Walk under Professor John Hope, away from city pollution.
Early 1820sThe garden moved to its present site under Curator William McNab.
1858The Temperate Palm House was built; it remains Scotland’s tallest palm house.
1877Inverleith House was added to the gardens.

Show all

1881The remodelled grounds opened to the public.
1960–1984Inverleith House was the original base of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
1964The herbarium moved into its purpose-built home.
2010The John Hope Gateway opened, named after the garden’s first Regius Keeper.

How to get there

BusThe garden is at 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh. Buses 8, 23 and 27 serve the east gate on Inverleith Row.
On footThe west gate is on Arboretum Place, beside the John Hope Gateway.

Sources: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - Wikipedia · Edinburgh/Stockbridge and Canonmills - Wikivoya… · Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh | Home · Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh | Science & Cons… · Our Four Gardens | Collections & Gardens | Roya… · Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - Wikipedia · Jardin botanique royal d'Édimbourg - Wikipedia · checked 6 Oct 2026

Where

20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh

Website: rbge.org.uk/
Phone: +44 131 248 2909

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

What are Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s opening hours?

The garden is open daily from 10:00 to 15:30.

Can children visit Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh?

Yes. The gardens are a popular place for family walks.

Where can I find food, shopping and exhibitions?

The John Hope Gateway, beside the west gate on Arboretum Place, has a restaurant, shop and exhibitions.

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