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Ravelston Woods

8 ha

📷 Anne Burgess · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsPicnic
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome8 ha

Getting here

55.95466, -3.25330

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
  • 🛝Playground 233m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Bike parkingParking· FreePicnic spotPlayground

Best for

10 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Nature reserve; Birds — Robin, Magpie, Woodpigeon +48 more · last seen 2026

Free

Picnic day out

picnic area, car park; Nature reserve — public outdoor space

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Cylindric Beard-moss, Common Feather-moss, Wall Screw-moss +46 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, Birch Shieldbug, Hawthorn Shieldbug +62 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Harlequin Ladybird, Birch Shieldbug, Hawthorn Shieldbug +62 more · last seen 2026

Free

Family friendly

playground, picnic area

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

10 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
The Royal MileWalking route
Named route
Innocent RailwayWalking route
Named routeRef CEC5
Forth & Clyde/Union Canal TowpathWalking route106 km
Named routeLength 106 kmNational walking route
Water of Leith Walkway (Slateford to Leith)Walking route
Named routeRef CEC18Local walking route
John Muir Way (South Queensferry to Edinburgh part 1)Walking route
Named routeRef JMWPoint-to-pointNational walking route
🚴

Cycling

188 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route RRCycling route
Named routeRef RRLocal cycle route
NCN National Route 754Cycling route
Named routeRef 754National Cycle Network
Quiet Route 6Cycling route
Named routeRef 6Local cycle route
Quiet Route 9Cycling route
Named routeRef 9Local cycle route
Quiet Route 11Cycling route
Named routeRef 11Local cycle route
Quiet Route 15Cycling route
Named routeRef 15Local cycle route
🚵

Mountain biking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Great North Trail (Central Belt)Mountain bike route83.7 km
Named routeLength 83.7 kmNational Cycle Network
Capital TrailMountain bike route
Named route
Great North Trail (Scottish Borders)Mountain bike route154.8 km
Named routeLength 154.8 kmNational Cycle Network

About this nature reserve

Ravelston Woods is a Local Nature Reserve of 8 hectares situated in the City of Edinburgh, Edinburgh and Lothians, Scotland. The reserve features mature woodland and is a habitat for various bird species, with trails suitable for leisurely walks.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Ravelston Woods

📷 Anne Burgess · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Ravelston Woods

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Saughton ParkUrban park2.2 km→🌱West Princes Street GardensUrban park3.4 km→🌱The MeadowsUrban park4.2 km→🌱Saughton Park GardensUrban park2.3 km→🌱Inverleith ParkUrban park2.5 km→🌱Inverleith ParkUrban park2.5 km→

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