Gladstone's Land
City of Edinburgh, Scotland
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust for Scotland
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
Pinpoint
477B Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT
Telephone 0131 226 5856
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Gladstone's Land is one of the oldest surviving tenement buildings on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, with hand-painted ceilings dating from 1620. Reviewers describe floors laid out to show different periods in the building's life, and staff and volunteers who give a short history in each room. The cafe has a following of its own as a quiet retreat off the Royal Mile.
Worth the trip
The 1620 painted ceilings - reviewers advise looking up, as the original paintwork survives overhead.
Before you go
You can go round on your own, but several reviewers say the visit is much better with a guide or a staff talk in each room, so it is worth asking on arrival.
Reviewers describe an old Royal Mile building presented floor by floor to reflect different periods of its use, with the surviving original painted ceilings the detail most often pointed out. Both self-guided and guided visits are mentioned, with one reviewer feeling the guided option is the better one, and staff and volunteers are consistently described as friendly and good at giving a short history in each room. The cafe is praised at length by one reviewer as a calm retreat from the crowds outside, with good coffee and cakes and unhurried service, and others mention ice cream and a shop selling locally made goods. One reviewer notes the building is not accessible because of the steep stairs.
One of the oldest surviving tenement buildings on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, with hand-painted ceilings dating from 1620.
“It’s very interesting old house to visit. The best option with tour guide.”- FEDDAR MATDAR, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Guided tours
- “We took the self guided tour to the building.” - N M
- Terrain & accessibility
- “You step off the street full of bagpipes, tour groups and sudden rain showers, and suddenly you are somewhere warm, civilised and smelling faintly of good coffee and cake.” - Neil F
- Facilities
- “A great café in a brilliant location, and proof that sometimes the best part of a historic site is sitting down with a coffee and pretending you live there.” - Neil F
Common questions about Gladstone's Land
Where is Gladstone's Land?
Gladstone's Land is in City of Edinburgh, Scotland, at 477B Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT.
Do you need a ticket to visit Gladstone's Land?
Yes - Gladstone's Land is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust for Scotland. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Gladstone's Land?
Yes - Gladstone's Land offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the stately home itself or within its grounds. See the Stately Homes You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Gladstone's Land?
The 1620 painted ceilings - reviewers advise looking up, as the original paintwork survives overhead.
Is Gladstone's Land a ruin or still intact?
Gladstone's Land is largely intact - One of the oldest surviving tenement buildings on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, with hand-painted ceilings dating from 1620.
