Holyrood Park
Holyrood Park is a striking mix of natural and historic landmarks, dominated by Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcanic peak with wide city views. Its peaceful lochs, including St Margaret’s and Duddingston, attract wildlife and offer quiet walking spots. The hillside ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel add a medieval touch, while holy wells like St Margaret’s Well reflect the park’s long spiritual heritage. Welcome to this uniquely scenic and historic landscape!
Opening times and prices
Holyrood Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round and is free to visit.
What to expect on your visit
The vast majority of the park is open for visitors to roam freely.
The Radical Road is currently closed and we're working on reopening parts of the path later this summer. In the meantime, Ranger-guided tours to this area are a great opportunity to explore the geological history of the park.
How to get here
Holyrood Park is Edinburgh's largest greenspace. It's roughly circular and about a mile in diameter. It can be accessed from many different locations around its perimeter.
View Holyrood Park on a Google map
Search for National Cycle Network routes with the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust
Plan your journey by public transport using Traveline Scotland
Address
Queen's Drive
Edinburgh
National Grid reference:
NT 26937 73683
Upcoming events
Toilets
Toilets are available next to the Holyrood Park Education Centre, on the north side of the park, behind the Palace of Holyrood House.
April & September: Daily, 8am to 5pm
May: Daily, 8am to 6pm
June to August: Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 5pm and Thursday to Sunday, 8am to 7pm
October to March: Daily, 8am to 3pm
Park rules
Dogs: dogs are welcome in the park, but owners must clean up after them. Please follow any signs about keeping dogs on a lead in certain areas during nesting season to protect ground-nesting birds.
Fishing: permitted in Duddingston Loch with a free permit from our Rangers. Email rangers@hes.scot to apply
Climbing areas: currently closed for safety.
Radical Road: currently closed due to falling rock hazard.
Cycling: cycling is allowed on roads and the green path beside Queen’s Drive. No off-road cycling.
Drones: cannot be launched or flown from inside the park boundary without permission. Email filming@hes.scot to apply.
Birds: Help us look after our birds by feeding them healthy alternatives to bread, like sweetcorn, peas, chopped lettuce and birdseed.
Litter: use bins provided located by park entrances and near the car parks.
Not permitted anywhere in the park: camping, fires, barbecues, golf
Safety: beware of sheer drops, uneven and slippery surfaces. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip.
Historic places nearby
Holyrood Abbey and Palace Gardens
Walk in royal footsteps around Holyrood Abbey and gardens, founded by David I in 1128.
1 miles
Not included in Explorer Pass
St Triduana's Chapel, Restalrig Collegiate Church
St Triduana’s was one of the most remarkable buildings in Scotland during the 1400s.
2 miles
Open days or guided tours only
Edinburgh Castle
Discover a world-famous icon. Perched on a volcanic plug, Edinburgh Castle has dominated the skyline of Scotland’s capital city for centuries.
2 miles
Book in advance to guarantee entry
Craigmillar Castle
Step inside Edinburgh’s ‘other castle’, once a rural retreat from Scotland’s capital. Craigmillar Castle was close to the political cauldron of the capital, yet pleasantly separate from it.
2 miles
