The Best Places To See Cherry Blossom in Edinburgh

First it’s the snowdrops, then daffodils and all the crocuses lining the Meadows. Then suddenly at some point in April, the cherry blossom burst into life across Edinburgh. Known as “sakura” in Japanese, these pale blooms are a symbol of spring because it is a time of renewal. However, because the blooms are short-lived, they are also symbolic of the fleeting nature of life.

I’m lucky to live in the centre of Edinburgh, close to some very beautiful trees and so this April, whilst we’ve been coming out of lockdown, I’ve taken my daily exercise past some of these beautiful trees and have taken photos to share with you.

When you’re able to be in Edinburgh again, you’ll know where to find some of the most beautiful trees too. And you will hopefully be able to picnic or at least pause underneath them too!

The Best Places to See Cherry Blossom in Edinburgh

The Meadows

There are a couple of avenues of cherries in The Meadows which are an absolute Instagrammers favourite.  Instagram has probably had a lot to do with mine and others growing obsession with cherry blossom. Taking photos of these beautiful trees makes you stand and appreciate just how pretty they and their blossom really are.

Being inside an avenue of them is even better!

The century-old custom of having a picnic under cherry trees is known as “hanami,” which means flower viewing. Early records hint that the tradition began with emperors and members of the Imperial Palace feasting under the trees’ blooming branches. The Meadows is the best place to picnic under cherry blossom in Edinburgh (just not in 2020!) and the fabulous local French deli Victor Hugo is the place to go and buy your picnic.  Our wonderful two bedroom homes in Montpelier Park and Leamington Terrace and Marchmont Street  are all great places to stay nearby. You can even get up very early to see the trees at sunrise which is extra special.

St Andrew Square

In the gardens in the middle of St Andrew Square, close to the tram stop there’s a beautiful cherry tree. It’s another one you’d be able to picnic under. Helpfully there’s a bench there too, so you can sit down and soak up the beauty.

and just around the corner near Princes Street, there’s a pretty patch of green opposite The Cafe Royal (it’s very pretty inside that bar too, with wonderful tile panels which featured in the movie Chariots of Fire many moons ago) where you’ll find more cherry loveliness. Our one bedroom home on York Place has views to die for and is around the corner from St Andrew Square.

St Bernard’s Crescent, Stockbridge

Edinburgh’s New Town is littered with private communal gardens which local residents have keys for. Whilst that means most people can’t go in them, it does make the city prettier and greener. Luckily they often have beautiful trees and sometimes cherry trees like this one in St Bernard’s Crescent, which frames a very pretty pictures with the beautiful Georgian houses beyond.

Our fabulous one bedroom home in Leslie Place is one minute’s walk away from this beautiful spot.

The Canongate

Canongate Kirk on the Canongate is the kirk for Edinburgh Castle and The Palace of Holyrood House. It has Royal and Army connections. It’s a beautiful place to attend a service and their graveyard is absolutely fascinating too.

On the street outside you’ll find the statue of local poet, Robert Fergusson, who is buried there. The statue is at its most beautiful in cherry blossom season.

The view from across the street is spectacular too! The pink, red and blue suit each other in this moment.

Chessel’s Court is where the darker side of Deacon Brodie was finally exposed. Lying off the Canongate, it’s a treasure once you find it. The cherry tree here is perfectly place near the beautiful ivy heart…..

and the beautiful traditional Edinburgh streetlamp. Our one bedroom home on Canongate is moments from these trees.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed looking at these photos of the best places to see cherry blossom in Edinburgh. When the world is open for travel again, you’ll be able to come and stay in one of our lovely homes and appreciate this magical moment in the city for yourself.