Edinburgh
Town Guide
Edinburgh Town Guide, Stockbridge, 4K

As Edinburgh grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, it gradually absorbed several surrounding towns and villages into its boundaries, one such village being Stockbridge.

Edinburgh Town Guide, The Village, 1K Stockbridge is situated to the north west of central Edinburgh, on the banks of the Water of Leith. The name of the village comes from the bridge that once spanned the river here and over which cattle used to make their way to grazing.

Originally Stockbridge was just a small rural hamlet situated a few miles from the city centre. But the village then expanded rapidly in the 19th century as a popular residential area and so a lot of the houses date from this period - many of these are now considered to be the most attractive Georgian buildings in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Town Guide, Ann Street, 1K Particularly famous is Ann Street, which the poet Sir John Betjeman claimed was "the most attractive street in Britain" and which is now one of Edinburgh's most exclusive addresses.

The village is well worth a visit for it is a very picturesque retreat from the city centre, but is within walking distance of Princes Street.

It is also well know for its profusion of antique shops so you could easily spend an afternoon browsing for that treasure piece. And for walkers is also close to the Water of Leith Walkway, a pretty path along the riverbanks of the Water of Leith.

Edinburgh Town Guide, St Bernard's Well, 2K Also in Stockbridge is St Bernard's Well, a spa that was built in the 18th century in the style of a Greek temple. A spring was discovered here in 1760s, and it was soon popular to take the water for its alleged healing powers.

The "temple" has recently undergone some restoration work, and is occasionally open to the public.




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