Planning Your Visit
Dr Neil's Garden is next to Duddingston Loch and near Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh​
The Garden is open daily from 10am to Dusk
The Church Café is open seasonally (Easter to September)​
Sorry no dogs allowed, except assistance dogs
This page tells you about:
The Church Café
The Café is open seasonally, between Easter and September. It is run by Duddingston Kirk and offers teas, coffees, soft drinks, snacks, cakes and biscuits.
When the gardener is not present, plants for sale in the Garden can be paid for in the Café. Cash donations for the work of the Garden can also be made – for those who can’t use the credit card donation machine in the Garden.
During Your Visit
Many people find the garden a place of inspiration and a quiet oasis for meditation and contemplation. We hope too that you will take away lasting memories of its peace and beauty and spread the work about the garden to others. We would therefore ask our visitors to be aware of the following:
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Please take care not to lose your footing – the topography of the garden means that there are areas of open water and many steps and slopes.
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Commercial visits/group photography are only permitted in the garden by prior arrangements - please see Venue hire
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Fires, barbeques and picnics are strictly prohibited. You are, however, welcome to sit on a bench to enjoy a snack.
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Please ensure that children are always accompanied by an adult.
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Sorry, no dogs - except assistance dogs.
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On Foot / Bike
Dr Neil's Garden is accessed through the car park for Duddingston Kirk. The car park entrance is on Duddingston Road West, opposite Holy Rood High School.
Follow the 140m paved path from the far end of the car park through the manse garden, past the cafe, to the entrance gate for Dr Neil's Garden. The gate is sometimes a bit sticky - so give it a good push!
> Get directions to car park & entrance gate
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Walkers approaching from Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat can access the paved path directly through the Manse gate at 5 Old Church Lane. If the gate is locked, continue to the end of the lane, turn right onto Duddingston Road West and then into the Duddingston Kirk's car park on your right.
By Car
Parking is available in Duddingston Kirk's car park.
> Get directions to car park & entrance gate
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By Bus
Lothian bus number 12 stops on Duddingston Road West, near the Duddingston Kirk car park.
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Accessibility
The garden is steeply sloping in places, and some paths are narrow. A purpose-built path enables visitors with reduced mobility to view as much of the garden as possible. However, one short section is too steep for a sloping path so wide steps have been built. The upper room of Thomson's Tower is only accessible by a short flight of steps.
Dogs
Sorry, no dogs - except assistance dogs.