Four Edinburgh Private Gardens on Doors Open Days 2026 in September
Every September, Doors Open Days flings open the gates to buildings and green spaces across Scotland that are usually private, hidden, or simply overlooked — all completely free. For Edinburgh's 2026 weekend (26–27 September), four very different gardens are taking part, from a private Georgian pleasure ground on the Water of Leith to a 16th-century walled garden on the Granton shoreline. Here's everything you need to plan your visit, including exactly when each garden is open, where to find it, and which gate to use.
Dean Gardens
Ann Street entrance to the hidden Dean Gardens
Open: Sunday 27 September 2026, 10:00–17:00
Address: The Dean Gardens, Edinburgh (access gate by the Dean Bridge on Eton Terrace)
Entrance: Enter through the gates at either Ann Street or Eton Terrace — both are at the Dean Bridge end of the garden
Booking: Not required
Normally a private subscription garden, Dean Gardens is one of central Edinburgh's best-kept secrets: seven acres of semi-woodland tumbling down the steep banks of the Water of Leith, established by local residents back in the 1860s. Part of Thomas Telford's magnificent 1835 Dean Bridge sits within the grounds, and the paths open up lovely views towards the weir at Dean Village and St Bernard's Well. There are lawns, mature trees and shrubs, benches, picnic tables, and a children's play area.
Good to know: The main path is step-free, but the steep gravel paths connecting the different levels may be difficult for wheelchair users. There are no toilets on site — the nearest public toilets are in Stockbridge. Refreshments will be available.
Website: deangardens.org
Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Gardens
Open: Sunday 27 September 2026, 11:00–15:00
Address: The Growing Space, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Place, Edinburgh EH10 5HF
Booking: Not required
Tucked into the grounds of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Morningside, this community garden, woodland, and orchard is run by the charity Cyrenians. It's a working therapeutic space, supporting the recovery of hospital patients and green-prescribing participants through nature-based activities, tended by a dedicated team of volunteers.
For Doors Open Days there's a full programme: a garden tour at 12 noon, craft activities including handmade willow decorations, stalls selling plants, cakes and books — and freshly baked scones from the garden's cob oven.
Good to know: The main paths to and through the garden are accessible, though some areas are less so. There's a wheelchair-accessible toilet in the adjacent building, plus standard WCs, parking, and children's activities.
Website: cyrenians.scot
Starbank Park
Open: Sunday 27 September 2026, 12:00–16:00
Address: Friends of Starbank Park, 17 Laverockbank Road, Edinburgh EH5 3DA
Entrance: For wheelchair access, enter (and park) via Laverockbank Road
Booking: Not required
Down in Trinity overlooking the Forth, Starbank Park is a formal Victorian walled garden restored to its former glory by the Friends of Starbank Park, who formed in 2013 and won 'Best Neighbourhood Park UK' in 2018. The park centres on Starbank House, once home to the aunt and uncle of Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, and later a museum from 1920 to 1931. In 2021, Prince William and Catherine planted an apple tree here during a royal visit.
The open day includes a harvest display, guided walks on the park's plants and history at 12pm and 2pm, children's crafts, chalk drawing, a planting demonstration, a history display and talk, and tea and coffee.
Good to know: The event is mostly outdoors. A quiet space is available and you can refill water bottles on site. WCs (including an accessible toilet) and parking are available.
Website: friendsofstarbankpark.org
Granton Castle Walled Garden
Open: Saturday 26 September AND Sunday 27 September 2026, 13:30–16:00 both days
Address: Granton Castle Walled Garden, West Shore Road, Edinburgh EH5 1QB
Booking: Not required
The only garden on this list open on both days of the weekend. Granton Castle Walled Garden has stood on north Edinburgh's coast since around 1500 and is now managed by the community as a historic green space where anyone can volunteer or visit. It hosts a remarkable cluster of social enterprises — a flower farm, a mushroom farm, and a dye-plant enterprise — alongside regular volunteer sessions and seasonal workshops covering everything from wreath-making to wassailing.
Garden history walks and talks run at 1:45pm, 2:30pm and 3:15pm, starting from the gatehouse and led by one of the garden's longstanding trustees.
Good to know: Paths are fairly level with only a slight incline between the upper garden and the lower market garden. The on-site toilet is a composting toilet and is not accessible. Street parking on West Shore Road is limited (especially since The Pitt opened nearby), but drop-off for anyone with limited mobility is possible near the Social Bite housing. The garden sits just off the Spiers Bruce Cycle Path, which runs down from the bus stops opposite No. 1 Waterfront Avenue. The interior of the doocot is not accessible.
Website: grantoncastlewalledgarden.org.uk
Planning tip
Starbank Park and Granton Castle Walled Garden are barely a mile apart along the Forth shoreline, so on the Sunday you could easily pair them — catch the 12pm history walk at Starbank, then wander along to Granton for the 2:30pm or 3:15pm tour. Dean Gardens opens earliest, making it a natural first stop before heading north.
All events are free and none require booking. Details are drawn from the official Doors Open Days listings — worth a quick check before you set off in case anything changes.