Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The 3* review is reflective of the glass house as the covid restrictions are a little extreme. There is 5mins between groups entering, as such we didn't see another group during our visit but waited 30 mins to get in.

Four out of 10 of the glass houses are shut and the houses that are open are partially shut inside. We were informed that the 4/10 glass houses were shut after paying.

They still charge £5 per person for entry and we were in and out in about 10-15 mins max.

The rest of the gardens are lovely and I happily gave a donation for the chance to walk round.

Stunning gardens, lots of trees, giant sequoias, gorgeous flowers, lovely pond with tiny fish.
Glass houses are being restored and increased so currently closed but the looked amazing even from outside.
Would recommend taking a picnic, food available is currently limited. Lots of benches everywhere to sit and eat or on the grass.
FREE to enter! But book in advance (don’t be one of the people who walks a long way there without checking the details and then leaves a one star review because you can’t get in, that’s your fault for not checking 😑)
Parking on the streets outside, we paid £7.70 for 4 hours.
A really peaceful lovely afternoon 🌻

I came here with my daughter in law and grandchild. We had a really lovely few hours walking around the beautiful gardens and then stopped for a coffee in a pleasant cafe where we were attended to by lovely staff.

On leaving the cafe at 2.50pm we were literally frog marched out of the gardens as we were told rather abruptly that you were closed and we must leave by the opposite gate to where we came in. I complained and said my car was parked in Rodney Street but I was still told we must leave due to the light show about to start.

We had to walk quite a distance with a screaming baby and I for one was not happy at the treatment we received by this heavy handed female.

We were considering booking for the light show but not sure we would return here which is sad.

Whilst we had visited the City regularly for the Festival over a number of years, for some strange reason we had never made it to the Botanic Gardens, so with the venue being one of the sites re-opening under lockdown regulations, we were very pleased to obtain tickets on line. A revelation for us, on a dry but misty day the green shades really came to the for and we spent a delightful couple of hours strolling the route and checking out many of the famous feature such as the high hedge, the huge borders and the pond. Now we have discovered the Gardens we will be back soon.

I walked to the john hope gateway from the east gate, and entered at what was a seemingly obvious entrance and then noticed inside, as I had walked through the doors that there was a sign saying 'garden closed' which you would only see if you were walking out the building. I am a student who has chosen to audit the John Hope Gateway from a selection of uni options and stepped back out of the door to take a photo of the cladding with no intention of going into the garden. however a certain female, young, curly dark brown haired, European staff member notified me that the garden was closed, I understood this despite the confusion of the sign as it was not on the outside of the building. When inside I explained to the staff member that i was doing a university project on the building and wanted to know if there was a way to take a photograph of the rear side of the building. Once again my request was seemingly ignored for her to only say, extremely patronisingly and in a tone inferring I was stupid "the garden is closed" In a tone similarly to that which you see English people speaking to foreign people in parody, slowly and loudly. I felt this was extremely unhelpful and offensive, I also suspect she was speaking to me in this manor as I was younger than the average visitor (20), and do not expect that she would've treated a more elderly customer in this way. I felt uncomfortable to finish my audit and hence left lacking in information for my 3rd year university project, with little intention of returning despite the gorgeous gardens and architecture. I would have merely appreciated a 'I'm sorry madame there is no way you can take a photo today, please try another day or look online' or something along these helpful and polite lines.

Loved our visit. The garden is extremely well looked after with a huge variety of plants. We especially loved the Alpines. It’s a shame we couldn’t visit the conservatories as they looked very impressive but I understand why.
Staff were lovely and facilities were good even under the circumstances. Booking was easy and meant we encountered very few crowds.

Lovely place to visit despite astronomical on street parking charges at the West Gate! Take some peanuts and you’ll be able to get up close and friendly with the squirrels who literally eat out of your hand. You might want to save some for yourself as the prices in the cafes within the gardens are ridiculously expensive for mediocre coffee and filled rolls etc. Take a picnic and enjoy it on one of the many benches to avoid the enormous slow moving queue and those who either cannot or will not socially distance. Thankfully we visited on a nice day and enjoyed the outside space as there was a 45 minute wait to enter the glass houses.

First visit ever !
I’m a keen hobby Alpine gardener and wanted to visit for years. Whilst on holiday in Northumberland made the 2 hour trek to visit. I had high expectations and it exceeded them. The garden, particularly the Alpine area, were fantastic and the staff were extremely welcoming and happy to talk.
You have to book a timed slot (although tickets are free). We did this easily on line. We chose the East Gate and travelled by car. Of course Edinburgh is a busy city so allow for delays etc. Parked on the road (Sat Nav EH35LP). Pay at meter £2.50 per hour. The park is surrounded by houses and the East gate is near to above postcode up a small but signposted pedestrian walkway. Entry was straightforward and efficient after scanning your QR code on your email.
Small takeaway shop at the entrance is open and we enjoyed our cappuccinos sat on one of the many benches along the generous walkways.
I think it’s fair to describe the site as a mix of arboretum, beds and specialist areas. Whilst there was a number of people there at the same time the site is generous and social distancing was easily achieved. A charming mix of local families and tourists from around the world.
We headed directly to the Alpine areas. If you have any interest in this subject it’s a must see. There’s a traditional Alpine House complimented by a contemporary fairly new purpose built display building. Outside there are cold frames, many various sizes of trough and rockery borders. The range of plants is absolutely fantastic. I’ve taken so many photos to work through at my leisure.
We also enjoyed the fruit and vegetable growing area. The staff were very happy to talk to a fellow grower/Allotmenteer!
There’s an outstanding and huge beech hedge with artistic opening cut into it. The beds in front of it are just colossal.
Of course at this time of year in this location borders and trees are just getting going. You can tell from the web site that later in the year there is other things to see. May/ June is a key time to see Alpines at their best.
All in all a wonderful visit. Thank you to all concerned.

The blooms have bloomed and the glasshouses are closed for repairs but on a busy, hot Festival day this 70 acre space is the perfect retreat.
Entrance is free . With a £1 map, you are garden ready . Donations are encouraged but the £8 tour at 11 am was a great way to give and grow. XXL thanks to Caroline , a superb guide and to the ultra welcoming staff at both gates.
Enjoy the stylish interior and displays at the John Hope Gateway and then the Goldsworthy striking stainless steel East Gate. Sculptures by greats like Hepworth are also a must see.
The Chinese Sections were oriental object d'art and the rockery really 'rocked'.
You could spend all day here , it's just fortunate there isn't a maze - only a suggestion RBGE !

Great free day out. Recommend if you’re looking for something quiet and peaceful to do in Edinburgh. Lots of great gardens, all well presented.

Best of all it is free to visit.

There’s 2 cafes on site and a gift shop - would recommend the cafe near Inverleith House as it has a nicer vibe.

Only suggestion would be that the cafe makes more scones as they had run out by 4 pm !!