Reason 15 - Holyrood Palace and Holyrood Park
Visiting Holyrood Palace and Holyrood Park
Holyroodhouse Palace [as it is formally known] stands in the centre of Edinburgh at the end of the Royal Mile, and has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland since the 15th century. Founded as a monastery in 1128, the building has seen many changes since then with its most recent rebuilding completed in 1679. It is still used as the monarch's official residence when visiting Scotland, and also by other members of the royal family.
When not hosting state occasions, Holyroodhouse Palace and Park are open to members of the public. This fine baroque palace enjoys a fantastic setting beneath Arthur's Seat and has a stunning interior as would fit a royal residence.
The Palace has a programme of family activities, and a lively interactive audio tour, to help you get the most from your visit. The Palace's Mews Courtyard is home to a cafe offering snacks and lunches to help you enjoy your day at the Palace.
Holyrood Park
Holyrood Park, extending to about 650 acres, is a haven of wildlife in the centre of the city. The park includes 3 lochs and Arthur's Seat, the largest of the extinct volcanoes which give this area its distinctive landscape and provide magnificent views across the city. The park provides solitude, and must be the largest unspoilt wildscape at the centre of any European City. The park is known locally as Queen's Park, but it is open to the public on most days.
Useful Links
The following links may be useful to people who want to visit Holyrood Palace and Holyrood Park:
- Home Page - 22 Reasons to Visit Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Accommodation - Website with B&Bs and Hotels
- Explore Scotland - Scotland Tours and Holidays
Competition - What is Reason Number 22?
Within this website we have listed 21 reasons to visit Edinburgh but what is the 22nd reason? We will soon be publishing details of how to enter a competition to guess what the 22nd reason is that you should travel to Edinburgh! Have a look at reasons 1 to 21 and see if you can guess number 22. Then come back and enter our competition!
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