Palace of Holyroodhouse - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Iconic Buildings

About Palace of Holyroodhouse

Palace of Holyroodhouse, also known as Holyrood Palace was originally built by James IV of Scotland between 1501 and 1505, as a Gothic palace adjacent to the 12th-century abbey. It has served as the principal royal residence in Scotland since the 16th century, and is a setting for state occasions and official entertaining. Queen Elizabeth II spends one week in residence at Holyroodhouse at the beginning of each summer, where she carries out a range of official engagements and ceremonies.

Hotels near Palace of Holyroodhouse

Hotels to stay near Palace of Holyroodhouse

Stars:

Guest rating:

Excellent

Stars:

Guest rating:

Exceptional

Activities Around

Attractions Near Palace of Holyroodhouse

Holyrood Abbey

Holyrood Abbey

0.06km from Palace of Holyroodhouse

Holyrood Abbey served as a royal residence from the start. Edinburgh Castle was an imposing fortress but was less private than the abbey. The abbey church was used as a parish church until the 17th century, and has been ruined since the 18th century. The remaining walls of the abbey lie adjacent to the palace, at the eastern end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. The site of the abbey is protected as a scheduled monument.

The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

0.1km from Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Queen's Gallery is an art gallery in Edinburgh, Scotland. It forms part of the Palace of Holyroodhouse complex. It was opened in 2002 by Queen Elizabeth II, and exhibits works from the Royal Collection. It is open to the public daily. This Victorian building was originally built as Holyrood Free Church, but was last used for worship in 1915, see Redundant church. Prior to its conversion to become the Queen's Gallery the building was used as a storeroom.

Scottish Parliament Building

Scottish Parliament Building

0.22km from Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Scottish Parliament Building is the home of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Edinburgh. Construction of the building commenced in June 1999 and the Members of the Scottish Parliament held their first debate in the new building on 7 September 2004. The formal opening by Queen Elizabeth II took place on 9 October 2004. Enric Miralles, the Spanish architect who designed the building, died before its completion.

Dynamic Earth

Dynamic Earth

0.27km from Palace of Holyroodhouse

Dynamic Earth is a not-for-profit visitor attraction and science centre in Edinburgh and is Scotland's largest interactive visitor attraction. It is located in the Holyrood area, beside the Scottish Parliament building and at the foot of Salisbury Crags. It is a registered charity under Scottish law and is owned as The Dynamic Earth Charitable Trust. The centre was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999.

Dunbars Close

Dunbars Close

0.42km from Palace of Holyroodhouse

This is a beautiful natural garden offering a tranquil escape from the often-hectic Royal Mile. Originally created back in the 19th century by the landscape architect Sir Patrick Geddes, but heavily reconstructed by Seamus Filor in the 1970s, the garden boasts fragrant flowers, blooming bushes and sweet-smelling herbs - and all just a matter of metres from the capital’s busiest pedestrian street.

Museum of Edinburgh

Museum of Edinburgh

0.47km from Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Museum of Edinburgh, is a museum in Edinburgh, Scotland, housing a collection relating to the town's origins, history and legends. It comprises of a variety of items related to Edinburgh’s history and legends, including objects made of silver, ceramic and glass. Moreover, there are several remarkable articles, for example, the original drawings of the New Town or a miniature of the Old Town dating from the sixteenth century, from the time of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Discover More Attractions in Edinburgh, Home of Palace of Holyroodhouse

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

97 attractions

Capital city of Scotland. Edinburgh is Scotland's second-most populous city and the seventh-most populous city in the United Kingdom. It is the second-largest financial centre in the United Kingdom, and UK's second-most visited tourist destination.

Location of Palace of Holyroodhouse

Comments

For more information about Palace of Holyroodhouse, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holyrood_Palace

To view all hotels near Palace of Holyroodhouse, visit: Hotels near Palace of Holyroodhouse