A Guide To Stockbridge, Edinburgh | Capital's Prettiest Village
Planning to visit Stockbridge, Edinburgh? Our travel guide to the capital’s prettiest village has you covered - find the best locations, photogenic spots, prettiest streets, and most delicious cafes below.
Stockbridge, Edinburgh - one of the capital’s prettiest suburbs and the place to go for excellent coffee. With a reputation as a chic neighbourhood, you’ll find boujee bakeries, leafy parks, and riverside walks amongst its pretty streets.
A cultural hub, thriving capital, and buzzy city - Edinburgh packs a mighty punch as one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities. Yet some of its best parts are the quaint pockets of calm and tranquillity surrounding the city centre.
One of the prettiest? Stockbridge.
Only a 20-minute walk from the city centre, Stockbridge is an elegant suburb with rows of Georgian terraced houses, village-within-the-city vibes, and incredibly photogenic corners and picturesque streets.
Once upon a time, I lived in this gentle suburb and loved nothing more than meandering along its best parts. You can’t help but notice that the high street is sprinkled with independent stores, some of the city’s best cafes and trendy bistros, a weekly farmers market, and a handful of artisan delis.
Though small, it’s perfectly formed, and you’ll be drawn by its gentle buzz and understated grandeur, green spaces, and a sprinkle of nightlife.
Packed with history and charm, Stockbridge is an unmissable part of any Edinburgh itinerary. This is our guide to Stockbridge, Edinburgh, its best cafes, walks, things to do, and most photogenic streets.
How to visit Stockbridge, Edinburgh
Stockbridge is best viewed as an addition to your bigger Edinburgh itinerary; spend either a few hours or, if you have time, an entire day here.
Encompassing the area around the Water of Leith, Raeburn Place, and iconic Circus Lane, there’s a lot to see, though travel around this part of Edinburgh is all about slow wanders, nature, the river, and coffee stops. Stockbridge offers the opportunity to change pace and scenery from the busy city centre attractions.
The easiest way to reach Stockbridge is on foot; it’s only a 20-minute wander from the town centre. Parking is extremely limited, so I don’t recommend bringing a car. But the local bus is extremely good, with regular services (24 & 29) from Princes Street.
The best things to do in Stockbridge
Visit Circus Lane
Edinburgh has no shortage of iconic streets, with centuries-old hotspots like Victoria Street and the Royal Mile at the city’s historical centre. However, postcard-perfect Circus Lane, the most famous street in Stockbridge, is a contender for the prettiest.
Famous for several reasons, including its quintessential Edinburgh aesthetic, Circus Lane is a treasure in the heart of the city. Quaint Georgian mews houses, beautiful floral displays, and charming cobbles that lead to St Stephen's Church ensure this little lane has become one of the most photographed places in Edinburgh.
The lane is tiny and can be accessed from both sides; however, the best view is found on North West Circus Place (here).
Stockbridge Market
The incredibly popular Stockbridge Market runs every Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
A mix between a farmer's and local producers' outdoor market, you’ll find heaps of stalls selling all kinds of goodies and local foodie products such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, cheese, olives, and charcuterie. There are crafts and gifts too, and, as you’d expect, hot food stalls.
A popular Sunday activity with locals and travellers alike, we’d make a point of adding this into your weekend itinerary. Combine a visit with brunch in one of the cafes listed below, walk along the river, or stroll around the nearby botanic gardens.
Boutique stores
If you’ve spent time in the Old Town, you’ll notice that Edinburgh has a love of boutique shops. This is also apparent in Stockbridge, where the small high street is lined with independent stores, from wine merchants to artisan cheese sellers, jewellers, gifts, books, antiques, thrift shops, and everything in between.
Be sure to visit:
I.J Mellis | for a packed counter of unusual and delicious cheeses.
Herbies | for charcuterie, artisan bread, and other delicious treats.
Rare Birds | for a wonderful array of books.
Daisy Cheynes | for cute and quirky gifts.
Caoba | for a dazzling array of Mexican gifts, homewares, decor, and sauces.
Will Boutique | for homewares, cards, small gifts, and crafts.
Water of Leith walk
One of the best things to do in Stockbridge is walk alongside the Water of Leith, a riverside path perfect for a stroll.
The river flows through the heart of the capital, visiting various suburbs as it meanders some twenty-four miles from its source in the Pentland Hills to its exit into the Firth of Forth at Leith. The river was once a significant part of Edinburgh’s industrial heartlands and home to over seventy mills harnessing the power of the water to produce paper, fabric, and flour.
Today, the river is a very different place. The industrial backdrop has been replaced, or made of, an oasis for those seeking green spaces in the city and provides a sanctuary for all sorts of plants, animals, and other wildlife.
The path is thirteen miles long and takes around three hours to walk one way. But joining its leafiest and lushest part in Stockbridge is also possible. Start on Saunders Street (here); at the road end, graceful St Bernard’s Bridge signals the start of the trail. Along the way, spot St Bernard’s Well, numerous soaring Victorian bridges and viaducts, herons, kingfishers, and, if you’re very lucky, otters.
The path is easy to follow and suitable for all abilities and ages, including cyclists.
Dean Village
Though technically not in Stockbridge, we’re including its closest and prettiest neighbour - Dean Village. Another incredibly photogenic and peaceful place, visit this little village for its lovely architecture, historic mill buildings, leafy views, and soaring bridge.
The best places to appreciate and enjoy the best view of Dean Village are Bell’s Bay Bridge (here), Hawthornbank Lane (here), and Hawthornbank footbridge (here).
These viewpoints, placed unintentionally yet strategically, lay along the river and offer tantalising glimpses into the village’s past. Head over the footbridge and into the village - it won’t take long to explore Dean Village; this picture-perfect spot is relatively small, and you won’t need more than 30 minutes to wander around its best parts.
Plan | The best way to get there is along the Water of Leith. It’s entirely possible to walk from Stockbridge to Dean Village along the riverside path, which takes around 15 minutes.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Just a short walk from Stockbridge main street, you’ll find the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The gardens, one of the best we’ve visited in the UK, date back some 350 years and offer 72 acres of exotic plants, verdant gardens, giant redwoods, and forest trails to explore. The exhibition space also features artworks and grand Victorian glasshouses.
Plus, there's a cute gift shop and numerous eating places, including an outdoor cafe, Potting Shed, which provides artisan coffee and baked goods, an airy terrace bistro serving seasonal dishes with produce from the kitchen garden, and a decked bar for local ales, wines, and handcrafted pizzas.
In addition to pretty botanicals and cafes, they offer an enjoyable place to relax in the sunshine, give your feet a rest after hours of walking the cobblestone streets, and provide spectacular views of the capital's skyline.
Plan | Entry into Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens is free; however, there is a small charge for the palm houses. To get there, it’s a short 5-minute walk from Stockbridge (allow around 20 minutes from the city centre), or you can take a local bus (services 8, 9, 23, and 27) to the East Gate entrance.
Where to eat and drink in Stockbridge
As we’ve mentioned, Stockbridge is full of excellent cafes, independent bistros, and boujee bakeries. Arrive with an appetite and make a point of squeezing in brunch, lunch, or, at the very least, coffee and cake.
My favourite casual places to eat in Stockbridge are:
La Barantine | I first discovered this French patisserie on Victoria Street and was thrilled to discover they have a sister cafe in Stockbridge. Authentic French bread, baguettes, pastries, indulgent sweet treats, and excellent flat whites make La Barantine my top pick.
The Pantry | Best for brunch, The Pantry is a Stockbridge institution. Their eggs benny, posh brekkie fry, and waffles are super delicious, the cappuccino is on point, and the vibe is always buzzy. A popular cafe, be sure to book your table in advance or prepare to queue.
Artisan Roast | A modern vibe and buzzy coffee shop with a hipster vibe. Visit Artisan Roast for excellent coffee, brunch, and lunch.
Fortitude Coffee | A coffee shop with a big emphasis on speciality roasts, Fortitude serve up seriously coffee, cakes, and light bites.
Söderberg | This Swedish cafe is rightly renowned for its moreish cinnamon buns. It also serves seriously delicious poached eggs, baguettes, and delicious open sandwiches that reminded me of Scandi neighbour Copenhagen.
Read next:
Edinburgh is one of those glorious cities I never tire of, and it’s pretty suburbs and picturesque neighbourhoods are some of my favourite places to visit. Use my Scotland planning tools and itineraries to find what awaits you in the capital and beyond.
