Charlotte Square Gardens

About Charlotte Square Gardens

	40 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh New Town EH2 4HQ

Listed Under Attractions - Gardens and Parks

This pleasant, leafy green space located at the heart of the historic New Town is an oasis of tranquility. Like many of the Georgian gardens in Edinburgh's New Town these private gardens are normally off-limits to the general public although periodically open for special events like Doors Open Day and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. In August the marquees go up and Charlotte Square Gardens becomes a kind of tented, literary village with book readings, meet-the-author events and discussions between writers from all backgrounds. There's a cafe, book shop, and garden area to sit out on if the weather's good. The Gardens central location and the compact nature of the Book Festival makes it well worth a visit. Entrance is free. Events are usually ticketed.

Charlotte Square was mostly designed according to plan by celebrated New Town architect Robert Adam who died in 1792 without ever seeing his vision completed years later. Charlotte Square, which is located at the West End of George Street, is mirrored by St Andrew's Square at the East end of George Street. The gardens are surrounded by buildings of historical note including the First Minister of Scotland's Official Residence and the big green domed building of West Register House. The National Trust's Georgian House at 7 Charlotte Square offers a window into 18th century living with its neo-classical design and period furnishings on 3 floors.

The large statue in the middle of the gardens commemorates Prince Albert, the Royal Consort to Queen Victoria, and was unveiled by the Victoria herself. Heavy wrought-iron fence normally closes off the gardens.

The gardens were originally called George Square, but were renamed after George III's queen and first daughter to avoid confusion with George Square in the South of the city.

Upcoming Events at Charlotte Square Gardens

Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: Indigenous Voices

10th August 2019 - 25th August 2019

These canny events help even the most monolingual of us to enjoy the richness and diversity of languages beyond the dominant ones.

Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: The World on a Plate

10th August 2019 - 25th August 2019

Created with author and food and drink entrepreneur Nikki Welch, the food strand at this year’s Festival has an irresistible series of events with internationally-renowned chefs.

Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: Stories that Make Scotland

10th August 2019 - 26th August 2019

This year we focus more on our nation’s rich, complex, troublesome past and the things that make it such a fascinating place to live right now.

Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: Telling New Stories

10th August 2019 - 26th August 2019

We need new stories to guide us through the complex maze of modernity. This strand brings together a dazzling array of world-leading thinkers to help find them.

Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: Telling Her Story

10th August 2019 - 26th August 2019

Fortunately, many brilliant women are finally being heard in the long struggle for equality, and we are proud to present a series of events in which they take the stage.

Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: Playing with Books

10th August 2019 - 26th August 2019

Embark on a theatrical journey into books, bringing stories to life through a mix of performance, music and discussion.

Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: The Fragile Planet

11th August 2019 - 25th August 2019

This series brings together environment specialists, scientists and activists to ask: how can we avert disaster and protect our planet?

Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: Unbound with Edinburgh Gin

11th August 2019 - 26th August 2019

The Book Festival gets playful at night presenting Unbound with Edinburgh Gin, a nightly literary cabaret in our atmospheric Spiegeltent.

Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: We Are All Citizens

13th August 2019 - 25th August 2019

Explore and express your own ideas around being a citizen and hear from authors in conversations about the culture of food, everyday activism, housing schemes, refugees, belonging and home.

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