Old sweet chestnut tree at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Where to go · Edinburgh

Forest bathing at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Seventy acres of gardens in Inverleith with over 3,500 trees, including a woodland garden of tall redwoods.

The Botanic Garden covers about 70 acres in Inverleith, and its tree collection runs to just over 3,500 trees from more than 730 species. The part that suits slow time best is the Woodland Garden, laid out mainly in the 1930s and 1940s, where big conifers were planted to shelter rhododendrons. Giant redwoods planted in the 1920s now stand over 24 metres tall, and the upper section has coast redwoods and the John Muir Grove.

You can come in by the West Gate on Arboretum Place, next to the John Hope Gateway visitor centre, or by the East Gate on Inverleith Row. The lawns and main paths near the glasshouses get busy at weekends; the Woodland Garden and the far corners of the arboretum are calmer, especially early in the day. Look out for the old sweet chestnut in the Rock Garden and the long beech hedge. Paths are good underfoot and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, which makes this the easiest woodland visit in the city. Note that it is a gated garden with set opening hours.

Practical

Managed by
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Parking
Metered on-street parking around the perimeter; accessible parking at the West Gate
Terrain
Surfaced paths and lawns, wheelchair and pushchair friendly
Nearest station
Edinburgh Waverley, about 25 minutes on foot or a short bus ride
Facilities
John Hope Gateway visitor centre, shop, toilets including accessible toilets
Opening and entry
Free entry to the Garden; open daily except 25 December and 1 January, gated with set hours
Official page
rbge.org.uk

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

Three guides within 15 miles of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

  • Catherine Ashby

    Your Mindful Path

    Edinburgh

    UnclaimedTrained by Forest Therapy Hub

    Private and one-to-onePublic group sessions

    Price on enquiry1 miles away

    View profile: Catherine Ashby

  • Diana

    Creative Roots in Nature

    Edinburgh

    Unclaimed

    Corporate and team daysPrivate and one-to-onePublic group sessions

    Price on enquiry1 miles away

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  • Jennifer Ochoa

    Canopy Connections

    Edinburgh

    UnclaimedTrained by Association of Nature and Forest Therapy

    Private and one-to-onePublic group sessions

    Price on enquiry1 miles away

    View profile: Jennifer Ochoa