Physic Garden at Abbey Strand, Palace of Holyroodhouse

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX
Email: holyroodlearning@rct.uk

Standing just outside of the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the city of Edinburgh, Abbey Strand has been witness to more than five centuries of Scottish history, with many people passing through its doors, from royal courtiers to debtors seeking sanctuary- it is a building with many stories to tell, and today is a Learning Centre where school groups, families and adults can engage with the Palace and the Royal Collection.

Further stories wait to be discovered in the Physic Garden, a new public space situated just behind the Abbey Strand building. With roots in a seventeenth century garden, the new garden consists of three distinct areas, each representing a phase in the Palace’s 900-year history, including a flowering meadow evoking the 15th century monastic gardens of Holyrood Abbey; an area planted with blubs in geometric designs recalling the 17th century garden, and a third space which reimagines the garden planted by Edinburgh doctors Sir Robert Sibbald and Sir Andrew Balfour.

This Doors Open Days weekend we invite you to join us for short talks in the Physic Garden at Abbey Strand (further details below). But if you can’t join us in-person on the 25th and 26th September, please do take the time to explore below one of the many stories Abbey Strand has to tell in our short film, An Abbey Strand Story.


Visit in Person

Join us this Doors Open Days weekend for a short talk exploring the historic roots of the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, together with a brief history exploring just some of the many lives of the fascinating Abbey Strand building.

These free talks will be held on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September in the Physic Garden at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, with a limited capacity for each talk.

Children can take a special trail to help explore the special spaces and stories Physic Garden. Unfortunately the Abbey Strand building itself will not be accessible to the public. For refreshments, the Palace café just across the road is accessible without a Palace ticket and has toilet facilities.

 

 

 

 

Visit in Person!

Visit Virtually

Edinburgh and East Lothian Doors Open Days is supported by:

Arnold Clark Community FundHinshelwood Gibson TrustEuropean Heritage DaysScottish Civic TrustUrwin Studio Edinburgh Web Design

Event Sponsor