Southside & the Meadows
The Southside and the Meadows: university and green space
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout The Southside and the Meadows: university and green space
South of the Old Town lie the University of Edinburgh’s Old College, the Festival Theatre, the Queen’s Hall and Surgeons’ Hall; beyond them the Meadows, and to the east Holyrood Park, with Prestonfield House and Craigmillar Castle further out.
The university
Old College and Talbot Rice Gallery on South Bridge, Surgeons’ Hall on Nicolson Street.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Bernt Rostad · CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsThe Meadows
The great park of the Southside, with Condita (One MICHELIN Star, 2026) and Argile close by.
Walk across the Meadows in spring for the blossom.
Our advice: climb Arthur’s Seat from the Southside side of Holyrood Park.
Why it's on our list
- The university
- The Meadows
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The Southside and the Meadows: university and green space before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from The Southside and the Meadows: university and green space are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 14 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest tram stops and railway stations
- Princes StreetTram1.1 km14 min walk
- Edinburgh WaverleyRail1.1 km14 min walk
Key sights
- National Museum600 mWalk 8 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Edinburgh Castle800 mWalk 10 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 7 min
- St Giles’ Cathedral800 mWalk 10 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Holyroodhouse1.8 kmWalk 23 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Arthur’s Seat2.0 kmWalk 26 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Royal Botanic Garden2.7 kmWalk 34 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Britannia4.6 kmCycle 20 minCar or taxi 17 min
- Edinburgh Airport10 kmCycle 44 minCar or taxi 33 min
Main railway stations
- Edinburgh Waverley1.1 kmWalk 14 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Haymarket1.6 kmWalk 20 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min