20 Attractions to Explore Near Edinburgh Zoo

Corstorphine Hill is a low ridge-shaped hill rising above the western suburbs of Edinburgh, Scotland. Although there has been residential and commercial development on its lower slopes, especially in the south and west, most of the hill is occupied by a local nature reserve, consisting of extensive broadleaf woodland, and is accessible to the public. The hill, which is composed largely of dolerite, was formed by the west-to-east movement of glaciers during the Pleistocene period.

The Water of Leith is Edinburgh's main river. It runs for 22 miles where it flows past Port Leith, into the Firth of Forth. You can explore the length of the river by following the path running alongside it, 20km in length, by walking or cycling. Most of this route is surrounded by natural scenery, allowing you to forget that you’re in the middle of a big city.

The LOVE Gorgie Farm is a great place to bring your kids, especially small children, as it's filled with small and friendly animals. It serves as a unique outdoor resource offering hands-on education and learning opportunities for all our visitors and offers educational tours and workshops for organised groups. Gorgie City Farm is run as a working farm, meaning that their farm animals are bred and raised for food production. They bring the sounds, smells and sights of rural Scotland into the cit

It was one of the most iconic buildings in Edinburgh. You can explore a fascinating overview of Scotland past and present though a wealth of imagery encompassing painting, photography, sculpture and film. Its collection of modern and contemporary art dating from about 1900 to the present in two buildings, Modern One and Modern Two, that face each other on Belford Road to the west of the city centre.

The National Galleries of Scotland cares for, develops, researches and displays the national collection of Scottish and international art and, with a programme of activities, exhibitions, education and publications, aims to engage, inform and inspire the broadest possible public. It has a collection of more than 6000 paintings, sculptures, installations, video work, prints and drawings and also stages major exhibitions.

The Union Canal, is a canal in Scotland, running from Falkirk to Edinburgh, constructed to bring minerals, especially coal, to the capital. It was opened in 1822 and was initially successful, but the construction of railways, particularly the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, which opened in 1842, diminished its value as a transport medium. It fell into slow commercial decline and was closed to commercial traffic in 1933.

Lauriston is a late 16th-century tower house, extended in 1824. The interiors hold a collection of 18th-century Italian furniture, Derbyshire Blue John, carpets, clocks, porcelain, tapestries, and decorative art. The substantial grounds, Lauriston Castle Gardens, operate as a local park. The castle was bequeathed to the Edinburgh Corporation and hosts the Lord Provost's annual Garden Party. The house is a Category A listed building and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and De

St Mary's Cathedral is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the West End of Edinburgh, Scotland. It was built in the late 19th century in the West End of Edinburgh's New Town. The cathedral is the see of the Bishop of Edinburgh, one of seven bishops within the Episcopal Church, which is part of the Anglican Communion. Designed in a Gothic style by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the cathedral is now protected as a category A listed building.

Dean Village is a peaceful village on the Water of Leith, Edinburgh's largest river. Founded during the twelfth century by the Canons Regular of Holyrood Abbey, it is also known as the Water of Leith Village. It was known as the "Water of Leith Village" and was a successful grain milling area for more than 800 years. At one time there were no fewer than eleven working mills there, driven by the strong currents of the Water of Leith.

The Georgian House, built in 1796, is a house-museum located on No 7 Charlotte Square. It shows how the wealthiest residents of the New Town lived. It has been restored and furnished by the National Trust for Scotland, and is operated as a popular tourist attraction, with over 40,000 visitors annually. Admire the stunning collections of period furniture, paintings, porcelain, silver and glass, and gain a fascinating insight into both the upstairs and downstairs elements of 18th-century society.

Charlotte Square is a garden square in Edinburgh, Scotland, part of the New Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The square is located at the west end of George Street and was intended to mirror St. Andrew Square in the east. The gardens, one of the collection of New Town Gardens, are private and not publicly accessible.

Stockbridge Market is a weekly market event in which vendors from all over the area offer their wares, with a focus on delicious food. You'll find a variety of fresh ingredients that let you try your hand at cooking, but you can also find fully prepared meals to enjoy. While many of the offerings are notably Scottish, you'll find an international selection of cuisine, including French food and more exotic flavours from Japan and India.

The Ross Fountain sits beneath Edinburgh Castle in Princes Street Gardens. It was Sculpted by artist Jean-Baptiste Jules Klagmann and produced at the world-famous iron foundry of Antoine Durenne in Sommevoire, France, the cast-iron fountain includes cherubs, mermaids, walrus and lion heads and four female figures representing science, arts, poetry and industry. The fountain is a magnificent example of 19th century cast-iron work, in the neoclassical style commonly known as Beaux Arts.

The National War Museum, situated within Edinburgh Castle, is Scotland’s national war museum reflecting over 400 years of Scotland at war. It has collection features, as well as the typical military items, traditional Scottish clothing worn during the battles, personal items belonging to the soldiers, and letters sent home from the battlegrounds on distant lands.

St Margaret's Chapel, in Edinburgh Castle, is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, Scotland.[1] An example of Romanesque architecture, it is a category A listed building. As you will see, the chapel is a small building, found in the upper levels of the castle, and was used for prayer by the Scottish Royal Family. It is very simply designed inside, and the chancel arch is still the original structure.

Circus Lane is one of the quaintest streets in the whole of Edinburgh. It was located in the historic Stockbridge area and was built when the New Town was being extended in the 1760s. It was a fine example of a row of regal Georgian Residences. In those times, only the rich and wealthy could afford a house of that magnitude in this area.

Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress dominating the skyline of Edinburgh. It is located on top of Castle Rock, a volcanic lava rock formed 350 million years ago. Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's most and the United Kingdom's second most-visited paid attraction. The castle has undergone 26 sieges in its 1,100 year history. It is beleived to be the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world.

Rose Street is a street in the New Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a narrow street running parallel between Princes Street and George Street. Today, it is principally a shopping street, however, it is well known for its many bars and public houses. Rose Street is also the home to the BT Rose Street Telephone Exchange, which connects much of the telecommunications infrastructure for the west side of the New Town of Edinburgh.

George Street is the central thoroughfare of the First New Town of Edinburgh, planned in the 18th century by James Craig. The street takes its name from King George III and connects St Andrew Square in the east with Charlotte Square in the west. It is located on the north side of the Old Town of Edinburgh, to the north of the Princes Street and to the south of Queen Street, running straight along the high point of a ridge.

Princes Street Gardens is one of the most important urban parks situated in the heart of Edinburgh. It separates the Old Town from the New Town. The Gardens were created in the 1820s following the long draining of the Nor Loch and building of the New Town, beginning in the 1760s. The Gardens are the best known parks in Edinburgh, having the highest awareness and visitor figures for both residents and visitors to the city.