Anyone know Edinburgh and want to help plan a half term trip?

[littleducks]

I wanted to take DS to see the pandas at Edinburgh zoo at half term before they leave. I have never been to Scotland, can only spare probably three days.

He has a longer half term with training days etc added to usual Emgkysh week of 23rd. When are local schools off, I know term starts earlier so maybe it won't clash.

I am thinking to get train from London, does it matter really if I had to Waverly/Haymarket both seen similar distances.

What else would a ten year old boy enjoy locally? Any hotel or bed and breakfast recommendations for in city, somewhere budget friendly with pancakes on breakfast menu would be ideal.

I did Edinburgh with my 4 and 6 year old, travelled from london to Waverly and stayed at the premier inn on Rose Street. Its the newest one and the family rooms are new, clean and really big. Breakfast is kids eat free. But there are loads of restaurants on Rose Street and a Sainsburys local a few metres down, so you can stock up on drinks and snacks for your room.
Stacks and Stills for pancakes on Roaee Street!
We grabbed a bus to the Zoo, it was easy. I thought transport around the place was good. And we explored around most of Edinburgh in a long weekend. Would love to go back again!

Thank you that sounds great, particularly travelling around being simple.

Camera Obscura is brilliant. Pricey, but worth it.
The Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile.
National Museum of Scotland.
Dynamic Earth.
Edinburgh Castle.
Crazy golf or ten pin bowling at Fountain park.
Edinburgh Dungeon.

We did the obscura museum it’s on the trudge up to Edinburgh castle and the view from the roof terrace is amazing my 9 year old absolutely loved it.

We also did the guided bus tour and again really worth it! Edinburgh is a gorgeous city

Oh and sorry Victoria street which has some fab little Harry Potter shops! And supposedly is what diagon alley is modelled on. Also civerinos slice for pizza!

Camera Obscura is good because it’s got optical illusions in the way up to the top.

Don’t expect too much from the castle, I find it a bit dull but you do have to do it - enjoy it for the atmosphere and wandering around.

Ifthe weather is good climb Arthur’s seat. It doesn’t take that long depending on what route you take. Otherwise, run up Calton Hill. There’s a Hotel Chocolat v close to the Lego Store in the St James you can go to after.

Tours of the vaults (underground city stuff) and/or Mary King’s Close are good, I think that would really appeal at his age.

And if you don’t live near the sea, get the bus to Portobello if it’s not too dreich - you can get a pizza from the Civerinos kiosk and eat it on the beach (I noticed last time that they also sell fire boxes!).

You can also take boat trips on the Forth from South Queensferry but that would probably be better on a longer break.

Term dates - holiday is w/c 17th

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schools/term-dates/2

Camera Obscura, Dynamic Earth and the Museum of Scotland are musts! The castle and Calton Hill are good too but not sure I’d pay to get into the castle 😅

You can do daytime ghost tours for kiddies - that would be fun?

It’s prob best to stay around Waverley but Edinburgh is very very easy to get around.

It depends on your budget-but I am prepared to bet he'd love the Sleeper train!

Oh, and state schools are off in Edinburgh 16/10 - 23/10 (inc) but I’m not sure is that’s the same for the surrounding areas.

The Museum of Scotland is lovely. Loads of interesting stuff, but small and manageable. I always recommend Ting Thai Caravan for lunch. Lots of child friendly options.
Allow plenty of time for the zoo-it's big and hilly and there's loads of walking!

Motel One at the bottom of Cockburn St and on Princes St look nice but not idea of the £££

Also, if you fancy having breakfast outside of the hotel one day, there’s a delicious pancake restaurant called Stack & Still on Rose Street. Loads of options.

Did bus tour too and loved it

We went last Easter with DC 5 and 7. Took the sleeper train which was great. On multiple MN recommendations we went straight from Waverely to Loudon's for a very nice breakfast (incl. pancakes).

We stayed near the castle in an Air BnB. Really enjoyed the castle but it was free for us with EH membership. Also went to the National Museum of Scotland, climber Calton Hill, Museum of Childhood and watched a street magician for ages!

Took the bus to the zoo then a quick Uber back to the National Gallery: Modern One for the sculpture trail and walked back through Dean Village.

Was a great 3 days!

Waverley and Haymarket are not far apart. Botanic Gardens are a nice open space with views over the city, climb Arthurs Seat if you feel energetic, view from roof of Museum of Scotland. Agree the hop on hop off bus tour enables you to travel between locations easily.

Some great recommendations here.

Personally I'd skip Edinburgh castle - unless you or your DS have a great interest in castles. It's not the most exciting on the inside and it's expensive. Now if you come back for a longer trip, I'd highly recommend the guided tour of Stirling castle.