Circus Lane in Edinburgh is one of the prettiest streets in Scotland. It’s a very bold statement, but I’m sure you’ll see what I mean when you visit for yourself. This is a must see place that belongs on any Edinburgh itinerary, especially if you love taking photos when you travel.
It won’t take long to see Circus Lane. It’s a relatively short cobblestone laneway, lined with rows of homes covered in flowers and greenery. With St. Stephen’s Church looming in the distance, be prepared to witness some of the most beautiful scenes in Edinburgh on this stunning street.
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In this guide for Circus Lane, I’ll share a little bit more about this picturesque place and its history. I’ll let you know exactly where to find Circus Lane and how to get there. Plus, I’ll share some other notable things to do in the area as you’ll likely only need to stay for 10-15 minutes here.
We had some of our wedding photos taken here, so I’ll be sharing plenty of those as well. Justin and I had our amazing destination wedding in Edinburgh, which was an absolute dream, shared with some of our closest friends and family members.
About Circus Lane in Edinburgh
Circus Lane was recently named the most beautiful street in the UK and the 6th most beautiful street in the world. This curved street was built around the late 18th or early 19th century as part of Edinburgh’s New Town in the Stockbridge area.
Back in the 1760s, the wealthier residents of Edinburgh started moving out of Old Town and into the newer area. Old Town Edinburgh became overcrowded and unsanitary, so the more affluent residents moved further north.
It’s interesting to note that there are quite a few curved streets in Edinburgh as it came into fashion at the time. Victoria Street and Cockburn Street might immediately come to mind, as they are two of the most famous curved streets in Old Town.
Newer areas of Edinburgh contain circular streets, like the Royal Circus. Royal Circus is a Georgian circle road lined with manors once owned by some of Edinburgh’s most elite citizens. The Georgian architectural style, notably characterized by symmetry and grandeur, is evident in these terraced homes.
Behind the Royal Circus is a mews lane called Circus Lane. It contained rows of stables and carriage houses for the horses, carriages, and servants of the wealthy owners of the Royal Circus homes. Throughout the 19th century, Circus Lane was home to cottages for the workers, as well as refined Georgian townhouses owned by artisans and merchants.
Nowadays, the stables and carriage houses are converted into beautiful, sought-after properties in their own right. The stables are now garages and the homeowners take pride in caring for their homes. The doors are often painted bright colors and there’s such a peaceful atmosphere on Circus Lane.
Where is Circus Lane?
It’s really easy to find Circus Lane by typing the address into Google Maps (or find it on a map here). This oval laneway is between St. Stephen Street, St. Vincent Street, and Circus Place.
It’s a short walk from Princes Street (about 10 minutes) and a little under 20 minutes’ walk from Dean Village. There are nearby bus stops so it is also possible to take the city bus here, though I always suggest walking everywhere in Edinburgh.
I recommend visiting Circus Lane along with other worthy sights in the area, like Dean Village and Stockbridge. I’ll include these in a list at the bottom of this article. Visiting all of these places together is a great way to spend a couple of hours in Edinburgh.
With that said, you likely won’t spend more than 10 or 15 minutes on Circus Lane. Soak up the pretty views, snap some photos, and before long you’ll have walked to the end of the cobblestone street.
Things to Do in and Around Circus Lane
First things first, simply go for a walk on Circus Lane. Admire this postcard perfect laneway, its cozy homes, and the colorful flowers and plants all around. Don’t miss the little details as you walk around, like walls blanketed with ivy and the Victorian street lamps.
As you visit, remember that these are private residences, so please be respectful. The clocktower of St. Stephen’s Church appears in the distance behind Circus Lane and makes a lovely addition to photos. This 162 feet-high tower has the longest clock pendulum in Europe.
Once you’ve reached the end of Circus Lane, you’ll come out onto Vincent Street. At the base of Vincent Street, I gazed upon St. Stephen’s Church.
St. Stephen’s Church was constructed in 1827-1828 by architect William Henry Playfair. Nowadays, it is St. Stephen’s Theatre, an arts and event space. It’s the home of the Edinburgh Festival Ballet and the Scottish theatre school, MGA Academy. It also hosts many shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
As you’ll likely only wander around Circus Lane for several minutes, you’ll likely want to pair your visit with some other nearby spots. Explore more places around Stockbridge and check out the unmissable Dean Village.
Pretty Stone Cottage on India Place
If you’re into taking photos of beautiful places, I’m certain that you’ll be interested in visiting this charming cottage that I often see on Instagram. This sweet stone cottage surrounded by potted plants and flowers is at 33 North West Circus Place (on India Place).
Stockbridge Arch
The Stockbridge Arch is another photo opportunity, located on St Stephen Place (off St Stephen Street). This is the remnants of a facade from a 19th century market. In 1825, architect Archibald Scott built a structure that housed several market stalls. The market has not existed since 1906, but there is a present-day Stockbridge Market that takes place every Sunday on Saunders Street.
Stockbridge
Circus Lane is situated in Stockbridge, a fantastic neighborhood in Edinburgh. I loved browsing the shops and stopped for a coffee. There are many great restaurants as well. I can personally vouch for the coffee at Cowan & Sons. I loved the eclectic art at this cozy cafe and my oat latte was exactly what I needed.
Dean Village
Nearby Dean Village is another beautiful location in Edinburgh. This charming hamlet features historic architecture around a tranquil river. Go for a walk around Dean Village. Don’t miss taking a stroll on the Water of Leith Walkway down to St. Bernard’s Well, too.
My Wedding Dress, Bouquet and Flowers in my Hair
I’ve received so many questions about my wedding dress, my bouquet, and the dried flowers in my hair. I wanted to share with you that I found everything on Etsy! These are all handmade by small businesses from around the world.
I ordered my wedding dress more than six months ahead of time and sent my measurements to the designer as per her specifications. When my dress arrived in the mail, it fit perfectly.
I also ordered the dried flowers and hair piece to match my dress, as well as a dried flower arrangement that included thistles, the flower of Scotland.
Having dried flowers for my bouquet made it easy to transport from Canada to Scotland, and I also intend to keep it for a long time. It’s currently on display in a vase in my living room with some of our wedding photos and other momentos.
Where to Stay Near Circus Lane
When Justin and I recently stayed in Edinburgh for our wedding, we stayed at an apartment in Dragon Suites, located near Haymarket station and Dean Village. You may want to rent an accommodation in Circus Lane itself, which is totally possible. Here are a few properties that we recommend checking out.
Edinburgh Mews Apartment
Located right on Circus Lane, this is a spacious two bedroom apartment with a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, and two bathrooms. One of the main perks is that it’s situated on this quaint cobblestone laneway, though it also happens to be a beautiful and modern place to call home. Book your stay at the Edinburgh Mews Apartment.
Circus Lane 4 Bedroom Mews
This holiday home on Circus Lane can accommodate the whole family or large group of friends. It’s a bright and modern four bedroom home with a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, and private terrace. Enjoy a little bit of luxury on Edinburgh’s prettiest street. Book your stay at the Circus Lane 4 Bedroom Mews.
See More Photos From Scotland
Browse our entire gallery of travel photos in one place.
You can purchase prints, canvas art and other housewares made from any of our photos here, too.
More Things to Do in Edinburgh
If you haven’t been able to tell already, we love Edinburgh and I am sure that you will, too. There are so many great things to see and do in Edinburgh, and here are some of our blog posts to help you plan your trip.
- 35 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh
- Visiting Scotland’s First Cat Cafe, Maison de Moggy
- How to Visit Dean Village
- The Cauldron Potions Cocktail Class
- The Glasshouse Hotel Review
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Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.