I can eat a lot. I have a big mouth. Let me show you what my big mouth can get me/you!
For Mother’s Day (on the 30th!), Afternoon Teabox is having a competition. Snap a video or photograph of your Afternoon Teabox, share it on the right socials, and you might win one monthly for a year.
“Yeah, but where’s the Edinburgh angle?” I asked when the news landed in my inbox. A short conversation later, and I’m here to do a Best Places to Picnic in Edinburgh.
Guess what I took on my picnic? A very tasty Afternoon Teabox!
A quick review of Afternoon Teabox
Fresh sandwiches and afternoon tea snacks arrived in a decorated card box box. Inside were packing, cooling and plastic containers of neatly cut sandwiches, scones, macrons, tea (dry) and some baked goodies.
The strong nudge from Afternoon Teabox is to eat your afternoon tea within 24 hours. Coordination is therefore important, and I did just that so this review is of fresh food and it was gorgeous.
My big mouth was happy, especially with the box of scones (two), macrons (two) and baked treats (two) because that was enough to share with someone else. The sandwiches, though, are all for me.
Any gripes? The food boxes, once aren’t unpacked, aren’t designed for backpacks. Go figure! 🙂
I’d use Afternoon Teabox again! Edinburgh has no shortage of events in which pitching up at a park or somewhere with a good view of the castle would be enhanced if you had some tasty treats with you.
Girdy’s Edinburgh picnic locations
I don’t drive, but I do walk and eat a lot. With that in mind, where in Edinburgh would I go for a picnic?
Victoria Park
I think Victoria Park off Ferry Road, on the way to Granton or Newhaven from Leith, might be the biggest secret park in Edinburgh. It’s my top recommendation because;
- Victoria Park is open, clean and gorgeous
- There are picnic tables
- There might also be fresh coffee if Jac’s Van is in attendence
- It’s plugged into Edinburgh’s path system
However, there are no public loos.
Inverleith Park
Walk to the Royal Botanic Gardens from Victoria Park and you’re pretty much walking to Inverleith Park. Like Victoria Park, there’s a playpark here and a coffee van. Inverleith Park also has great views of the Castle.
Count this as a pro or a con but Inverleith has a pond at one end. It’s easy to ignore if you stay at the other end of the park, but if you are feeling brave enough to go near water and the occasional goose then the pond is an attraction.
You might even consider Royal Botanic Gardens a picnic location too but I don’t think those lawns support too many people stopping to eat and buying food from the charity might be better idea.
Portobello Beach
Since we’re now talking about waterside picnicking, I think its time to mention Portobello Beach. It’s a lovely little beach with loos and backup places for food.
The downside of Portobello Beach is that if there’s even the suggestion of sun then loads of other people will join you on the sand too. You can bring your doggo as well, provided they get on with others.
The Meadows
In the centre of town, but not Princess Street Gardens, which are generally gorgeous, there are the Meadows. You’ll find these lawns lovely and welcoming in the right weather, provided it’s not the Festival. During August, the Meadows get very busy.
Cramond Promenade
We’re still in Edinburgh, pushing at the boundaries, with Cramond Promenade (and the nearby Silverknowes Beach). There are picnic tables up and down this coastal walk, often ice cream vans at one end, and if you’re up for a long walk, you can head back into town until you come to The Pitt Market.
Starbank Park
It’s only little, but it’s lovely! There’s also Starbank Inn and The Old Chain Pier nearby.
Starbank Park is in two halves; there’s the seaside facing and sloped hill with its flower decorations on the front and then, around the back, by Starbank House, a lovely garden with one or two places to sit.
Saughton Park
It was Birdy who introduced me to Saughton Park, but don’t hold that against it. I like the green space as it had a mix of gardens, flowers and even some structures to investigate.
Of all the locations so far, Saughton Park is perhaps the boldest oasis of escape as all around are fairly heavy roads like Gorgie.
Lochend Park
Near Meadowbank Sports Centre is another city park with a pond. I wouldn’t explore Lochend Park too late at night, but it can be a lovely walk during the day, weather gods allowing.
Viewing platforms are built into the pond area; it’s nothing fancy, but it’s enough to get a fantastic Instagram.
The missing!
There are some big names missing from this list. Yes, Holyrood, Leith Links, Calton Hill, Dean Village and Arthur’s Seat are all contenders but I find them either too awkward, busy, windy or just missing somewhere sensible to stop and eat tea!
Disclaimer: My picnic from Afternoon Teabox was provided free for review.
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