5 New Doors Open Days Buildings You Should Visit
It’s that time of year when many of Edinburgh’s fascinating buildings open their doors to the public for one weekend. Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free annual architectural event, which offers access to over a thousand venues across the country during the month of September. In Edinburgh the festival will take place on the 23rd-24th of September in 2017. The line-up is looking good and bear in mind that some buildings only open up once in a lifetime! In this blog we’re taking a look at some of the most interesting newcomers this year.
Gardener’s Lodge
- Open: 23rd September 11am-4pm & 24th September 11am-4pm
- Where: corner of West Princes Street Gardens, below the floral clock
- Get your ticket here.
Chances are you’ve walked past this cute cottage in Princes Street Gardens and wondered what it looks like on the inside. Well now you can find out and learn more about the building, its setting and the plans to revitalise the gardens! The cottage is Category C-listed and built in 1886 by Robert Morham, who also played a part in landscaping Princes Street Gardens.
Ravelston Dykes House
- Open: 24th September 10am-5pm
- Where: 2 Ravelston Dykes Lane, EH4 3NY
This award-winning Japanese-inspired 1960s bungalow by Konishi Gaffney Architects is actually somebody’s home (which makes it all the more interesting!). The house has been built as environmentally friendly as possible and the internal and external spaces have been blended to seamlessly connect he house with its large front and rear gardens. It’s a must if you’re into modern architecture.
Rock House
- Open: 23rd September 10am-4pm
- Where: 28 Calton Hill, EH7 5AA
- Get your tickets here.
We’re so excited to be opening up our very own Rock House to the public this year! Rock House dates back to 1765 and is where early photography pioneers Adamson & Hill lived and worked in 1843-47. It’s a magical, secret place in the heart of Edinburgh that you will fall in love with – but don’t worry as you can visit again as a guest since Dickins lets Rock House from 3 nights to 6 months! You might also want to check out the current exhibition of the pioneers’ work called ‘A Perfect Chemistry‘ at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery (on until 1st October).
St Peter’s Episcopal Church
- Open: 23rdSeptember 11am-2pm
- Where: Lutton Place, EH8 9PE
Said to be “The most complete Gothic church in Edinburgh”. St Peter’s Episcopal Church with stained glass windows and painted ceiling is a beautiful, colourful building designed by William Slater in 1860. On the day there will be an animal hunt trail for children, tours up the tower, the chance to listen to choir practice and to press your own apple juice – we like the sound of that!
The Georgian House
- Open: 24th September 10am-1pm
- Where: 7 Charlotte Square
- To book please email [email protected]
Designed by the acclaimed architect Robert Adam in 1790, The Georgian House has been magnificently restored to show a typical Edinburgh New Town house of the late 18th to early 19th century – as well as the lavish lifestyle of its wealthy residents and the arduous reality of the servants who made it all possible. The first owner, John Lamont, paid £1,800 in 1796, but we’re pretty sure this house would go on the market for slightly more these days…
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