Edinburgh, Scotland was a perfect family trip from London! Our first trip was in December for the Christmas market, and the second trip was in April with our relatives, which had significantly better weather. We were better able to appreciate the city!
Things to consider:
Train Journey from London:
Edinburgh is about a 4.5 to 5.5 hour train ride from London. It is a domestic, so you only have to arrive at the station 30 minutes in advance. Of course, with two little ones, we still target an hour before to stop for milk and diaper changes.
Weather:
If going in winter, it is very cold. I couldn’t even relax, and enjoy our outings until we got to a store and got the kids some more thermals to wear under their clothes. Make sure to have properly equipped weather gear so to more fully enjoy exploring.
Where to stay in Edinburgh:
With a large group, I suggest staying as close to the city center as possible, so that you are able to walk everywhere (and members of the group can walk back solo if they want to rest). We stayed at the Intercontinental Edinburgh (@intercontinental) and the Waldorf Astoria (@waldorfastoria) in Edinburgh, and both were walking distance to the main sites. Overall, as close to Old Town Edinburgh is ideal so that you can easily walk there.
What to do in Edinburgh:
Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Here are a few ways to enjoy the city with kids over a quick trip:
Edinburgh Castle: Perched atop Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is an iconic symbol of the city. It offers panoramic views, historic exhibits, and the chance to see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. We were not able to get tickets on the day of (which ended up being okay bc it would have been too long for the kids). If you are interested in visiting the castle, book tickets in advance! We completed the day with leisurely browsing the mall in the New Town!
The Royal Mile: This historic street stretches from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s lined with shops, restaurants, historic sites, and street performers. Key stops include St Giles’ Cathedral and the Real Mary King’s Close.
The Edinburgh Zoo: Home to over 1,000 rare and endangered animals, Edinburgh Zoo is a fantastic day out for families. Highlights include the famous Giant Pandas, the Penguin Parade, and a variety of interactive exhibits and play areas for children. We were not able to make it to the zoo, but hope to next time!
Each of these attractions offers a unique experience, showcasing Edinburgh’s rich heritage and vibrant contemporary culture.
What to eat in Edinburgh:
Edinburgh has a wide range of restaurant options! Although we would love to enjoy the unique options, for the sake of eating at family-friendly places that have clean baby chairs, as well as tried/tested items, we like to go to chains that the kids were used to (at least once a day to make sure the kids eat substantially).
Cote Brasserie Edinburgh had a nice ambiance for breakfast or brunch and baby chairs upon request.
Wagamama is a chain Asian restaurant that our kids always eat. We usually get them a chicken katsu meal for kids, which includes panko fried chicken, white rice, carrots, corn, and cucumber.
At Tortilla, our kids love the burrito bowl with beef brisket, avocado, corn, and tomato + a cheese quessadilla.
Edinburgh also has great Indian restaurants like the chain Dishoom (@dishoom) , and Guru (@guruedinburgh) (which had the best customer service for our kids).
Edinburgh is a perfect weekend trip from London! For more ideas on things to do in London with kids, visit my blog post here.
