Dunbars Close Garden

Dunbar’s Close on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town is a hidden gem, laid out in the style and character of a 17th century garden.

About Dunbars Close Garden

	137 Canongate Edinburgh EH8 8BW, Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8BW
	01315295151
	Dunbars Close Garden Website

Listed Under Attractions - Gardens and Parks

Dunbar’s Close on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town is a hidden gem. The garden has been laid out in the style and character of a 17th century garden. To enter you travel along a narrow, cobbled close. It opens out into a surprisingly tranquil and elegant parterre of clipped shrubs under a cosy green canopy of trees. Beyond the entrance are further parterres, each with different atmospheres and all are sheltered thanks to high church walls on the west side and clipped hedging on the others. Entrance to the garden is free of charge.

The garden is special, particularly when the trees are in full leaf. It has such an authentic sense of place that you feel like you are one of the few to have discovered it. It is hard to believe that somewhere so peaceful, so city centre, was a building site until 1976 when The Mushroom Trust funded the creation of a new garden by Seamus Filor, landscape architect. The Mushroom Trust handed the garden over to the City of Edinburgh on completion and is still involved in its management.

The close was probably named after David Dunbar, a writer who owned the tenements at the garden’s entrance.

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Dunbars Close Garden are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our What's On Edinburgh Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our @WhatOnEdinburgh Twitter or Instagram accounts and you're all set!

Upcoming Events at Dunbars Close Garden

Sorry, but we have no upcoming events for Dunbars Close Garden. If you know of an event taking place at Dunbars Close Garden or anywhere else in Edinburgh tell us about it and we'll list it on the website, for free!

More Gardens and Parks in Edinburgh

Gardens and Parks

Sighthill Park

Sighthill Park Broomhouse Road, Edinburgh West EH12 3UP

Sighthill is a large park with flat expanses of grass which are dedicated to football and it is bounded by community woodlands.

Gardens and Parks

Hopetoun House

Hopetoun House Hopetoun, South Queensferry EH30 9SL

Situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Hopetoun is a place of outstanding natural beauty, which has Scotland's finest stately home at its heart.

Gardens and Parks

The Meadows

The Meadows Melville Drive, Edinburgh South EH9 1ND

Lying just to the south of Edinburgh City Centre, The Meadows is one of the city's best-loved public parks!

Gardens and Parks

Inverleith Park

Inverleith Park , Stockbridge and Canonmills EH3 5PA

“Inverleith Park is in the heart of Edinburgh, right next to the Royal Botanic Gardens, just to the north of the New Town & Stockbridge. At 22 hectares...

Gardens and Parks

Dalkeith Country Park

Dalkeith Country Park Via King's Gate, Dalkeith EH22 2NA

At Dalkeith Country Park there is something for everyone. Here you’ll find walking routes along woodland paths, space to cycle in peace, and plenty to keep energetic kids amused.

Gardens and Parks

Calton Hill

Calton Hill , Edinburgh New Town EH7 5AA

Calton Hill is a hill in central Edinburgh, just to the east of the New Town and is included in the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gardens and Parks

Victoria Park Edinburgh

Victoria Park Newhaven Road , Edinburgh North EH6 5PY

A lovely public park in the Trinity area of Edinburgh. The park has been awarded a Green Flag since 2011, in recognition of it being a quality greenspace.

Gardens and Parks

Newhailes House and Gardens

Newhailes House and Gardens Newhailes Road , Musselburgh EH21 6RY

Discover 300 years of Scottish history through the magnificent and carefully conserved neo-Palladian villa that is Newhailes House and Gardens!

Gardens and Parks

Archerfield Walled Garden

Archerfield Walled Garden Archerfield Estate, Dirleton EH39 5HQ

A fabulous Taste, Shop and Explore experience in the heart of East Lothian. We look forward to welcoming you through our doors to experience everything Archerfield Walled Garden has to offer...

Gardens and Parks