Visiting Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is a firm favourite no matter what age you are! It’s open every day of the year - including Christmas Day, so no matter when you visit Craigwell Cottage, you’ll be able to pay a visit to Edinburgh Zoo during your stay. You’ll find opening times and admission charges by following this link.

Your Day at Edinburgh Zoo

At the entrance to the Zoo you’ll be given a daily schedule of events. It’s a good idea to take a few minutes to read this and plan your day’s activities as there are often interesting talks on, or chances to see animals up close.

Our recommendation would be to arrive early in the morning and take advantage of the free Hilltop Safari rides which take you up to the top of the Corstorphine Hill on which the Zoo stands. The first Hilltop Safari ride starts at 10 am.

It’s quite a good idea to take a picnic with you as this keeps the cost of the trip down, and is usually a favourite option for young children. There are plenty of picnic benches and grassy areas throughout the Zoo where you can picnic. But don’t worry if you haven’t brought your picnic with you, there are places where you can buy a picnic, or cafés and restaurants throughout the Zoo park too. You’ll find further information about Picnics at the Zoo by following the link.

Don’t forget your camera - if it’s a clear day you’ll get wonderful views over Edinburgh and particularly towards the Pentland Hills to the south.

One of the main events which Edinburgh Zoo is famous for is the daily ‘Penguin Parade’ which takes place every day at 2 pm at the Penguin Enclosure - any penguins who feel like taking a stroll are allowed out of the enclosure to parade round the children’s play park. It’s a purely voluntary affair these days, so some days only one or two penguins come out for a walk, and other days there are many more. Provides lots of photo opportunities though.

Here’s one I took when I was at the Zoo with my kids - but don’t look now if you don’t like spiders!

Getting to Edinburgh Zoo from Craigwell Cottage:

The most frequent bus service which passes the Zoo is the 26 which you can catch from the stop opposite the main branch of Marks and Spencer in Princes Street.

By Bus

Edinburgh Zoo, located on Corstorphine Road, is well serviced by public transport. With bus stops located directly outside the Zoo, it makes it easily accessible by the following buses:

All the following Lothian Buses go from Princes Street, Edinburgh city centre:

12 - The Jewel - Princes Street - The Gyle. Timetable link: here

26 - Tranent - Princes Street - Clerwood. Timetable link: here

31 - Polton - Princes Street - East Craigs. Timetable link: here

X48 - The Ingliston Park and Ride Timetable link: here

By Car

From your parking space beside Craigwell Cottage exit Nether Craigwell onto Calton Road, turning right and continuing to the junction under the railway bridge, where you turn left into New Street. Up New Street, and turn first right into Market Street, keeping straight on Market Street via the mini roundabout at Waverley Bridge and on up to the top of Market Street at the junction with The Mound (you’ll see Edinburgh Castle straight ahead). Turn right down the Mound, then following traffic restrictions (you can’t turn left into Princes Street any more), continue up Hanover Street, over George Street and down towards Queen Street. Turn left into Queen Street and keep in the centre lane. After the traffic lights at the junction with Castle Street, keep left and take the turning into South Charlotte Street, keeping towards the right lane as you continue through Charlotte Square. Turn right at the junction with Princes Street and continue ahead into Shandwick Place. Lots of lights and pedestrians here as well as other traffic - so keep your wits about you!! Keep in the right lane as there are lots of bus stops in Shandwick Place. Continue on to West Maitland, and keep in the right lane, following directions to Haymarket Station. As you turn into Morrison Street (one way), keep in the centre lane and go straight ahead following the A8 - you’ll pass Haymarket Station to your left. Continue straight along the A8 - Haymarket Terrace - Wester Coates (Donaldson’s School on the right) - Roseburn Terrace then into Corstorphine Road (watch out there are several speed cameras in this section). You’ll see Edinburgh Zoo on your right, and the car park is behind the Holiday Inn. - I’ve put detailed directions in this Blog because none of the mapping services yet seem to have taken account of the traffic restrictions on Princes Street, George Street and Queen Street in Edinburgh yet.