Is Edinburgh worth a visit?

[Thetractorprincess]

I quite fancy going to Edinburgh, either late August or October half term, with dh and two boys age 3 and 10.

No particular reason, I've never been to Scotland and have heard Edinburgh is nice.

I quite like city breaks and have enjoyed London before.

Edinburgh is a good 4 hour drive for us though and would probably stay for 2 nights, is there enough to do?

Masses to do. The castle is free of your with English Heritage, the zoo is easy to get to on the bus. Love the camera obscura, museum of Scotland and the botanic gardens. A weekend isn't long enough!

Edinburgh is really busy in August due to the Fringe festival so accommodation might be a problem.
Its a lovely city though.

oh I love Edinburgh! So much to see and do, def worth a visit.

Ah ...

Another joke thread.

Yes. Beautiful city. Just don’t come in August it’s a nightmare!

when i visited it was the fringe which i was a little concerned about as i had my 5 yr old dd with me. i needn't have worried, it was fab!

I had heard about the fringe festival. If we did find accommodation, would the festival stop us from getting about easily, I'm thinking road closures and places closed?

I really, really want to visit coco the chocolate cafe too.

Joke thread?

Sound as though October half term might be better then.

October is probably best as it gets very busy during the fringe and all the festivals. I work in the centre of town and its total madness
There are a free museums on the royal mile (Museum of childhood, People's story, Museum of Edinburgh). Would recommend museum of childhood.
You can also go to the writers museum and Gladstones land.
There is also dynamic earth, Camera Obscura, Holyrood House and you can visit and get a tour of the Scottish Parliament - if you are at all interested in that sort of thing.
The botanics is also worth a visit at any time of year.
Just pack for any weather

October would be quieter as the schools would most likely be back as the council schools are off the week of the 15th.

Tonnes to do in Edinburgh. Lots of threads already.

Hell yes. Athens of the north. Edinburgh in October. Paradise on earth.

You’ll like The Chocolate Tree as well then. Chocolate sorbet is lovely.

Someone does a chocolate tour I think- Coro the Chocolate Cafe, Coco Chocolatier, The Chocolate Tree and Hotel Chocolate Cafe. Or it used to be anyway.

Joke thread?

I guess what the pp meant was that many (most?) people already know all this about Edinburgh - it's internationally famous for it's history and it's festival and fringe.

If you really don't know all this, you haven't been to Scotland and you only live 4 hours away, then it's time you visited. Try to get here for longer than 2 days.

Fabulous city. You will love it. Do the ghost tour that takes you into the vaults. Amazingly atmospheric.

Aargh I get so cross when people say August in Edinburgh equals The Fringe. Yes the Fringe is on, but it's a fringe of a major if not the major arts festival in the UK. And yes, The Fringe is huge and perhaps bigger than the actual Festival but there is a proper Festival on in August too!!! Have you heard of the Edinburgh Tattoo? Not part of the Fringe. Festival Fireworks? Not part of the Fringe.

It's a fabulous city Op, one of the best in the world. It's compact and very beautiful with everything to do that you could possibly want. But during August the Festival is on (and the Fringe) so accommodation is booked up ages in advance and/or very expensive, but it's an amazing time.

If you can afford August and don't mind a gazillion people everywhere you go, it's certainly and experience, but if you like to sit down in cafes and in buses and have a choice of restaurants visit in October!

Thanks, definitely not a joke thread. I've never been to Scotland, always wanted to go and have heard Edinburgh is lovely.

Moe worried I'll be able to keep 2dc occupied.

Can anyone recommend any lovely hotels with a swimming pool?