Visiting Dean Village in Edinburgh is truly like stepping into a fairytale. It’s one of the most wonderful places to visit in Edinburgh, especially if you love charming villages and picturesque spots. I felt grateful to nearly have Dean Village all to myself on a crisp, September morning.
A couple of weeks later in mid-October, we had some of our wedding photos taken here. You’ll find quite a few of our wedding photos shared throughout this blog post (yes, we had our destination wedding in Edinburgh!).
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Perhaps I’ve already convinced you to add Dean Village to your Edinburgh itinerary. If not, I’ll provide you with many reasons to visit Dean Village throughout this blog post. Allow me to provide you with a short history of Dean Village, where it’s located, and the best things to see and do there.
About Dean Village in Edinburgh
Dean Village is a residential neighborhood in Edinburgh that began as a milling hamlet in the 12th century. Dean comes from the word “dene” meaning “deep valley”. As I descended the streets down into Dean Village, I could see why it was aptly named as it is situated in a low-lying area of Edinburgh.
Located on the Water of Leith, Dean Village was home to several water-powered mills, including ones for the baking industry to grind grain into flour. Dean Village has a historic legacy as a milling center and is renowned for its early industrial activities in Edinburgh.
Following the Great Fire of 1824, Dean Village fell into decay due to extensive damage. Industries also evolved away from milling and moved outside of the area. Throughout the 20th century to the present day, there are great efforts to restore the unique character and heritage of this idyllic hamlet in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Dean Village and its historic architecture are part of this, and in particular, one of its most captivating buildings, Well Court. Nowadays, Dean Village is both a residential area and tourist attraction.
The views of the Water of Leith combined with the preserved stone buildings and cobblestone streets offer a window back in time. I love the tranquility of this place that’s only steps from the city center. You’d hardly know that considering how peaceful it can be.
Where is Dean Village?
Dean Village is located in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh in the west end. I walked from my accommodation at Dragon Suites to Dean Village in 10 minutes. If you don’t mind a slightly longer walk, it’s possible to reach Dean Village by foot from New Town or Old Town Edinburgh.
It’s easy to reach Dean Village by taxi or Uber if you aren’t able to walk there. I don’t suggest driving to Dean Village. We drove there with our wedding photographer and he was so lucky to find a parking spot a short distance from Dean Village. I don’t recommend that approach.
Even if you have rented a car in Edinburgh, I suggest leaving it behind when you wander around the city itself. Edinburgh is best explored on foot or you can use the Hop On Hop Off Bus as a tour and method of transportation.
Things to Do in Dean Village
While there are several things to do in Dean Village, I first and foremost recommend wandering around the pretty cobblestone streets in and around the river. There are a couple of key viewpoints from Bell’s Brae Bridge and the Water of Leith Walkway.
I suggest going for a walk and simply discovering this beautiful place at your own pace. First, the Belford Mews are a really lovely area to go for a walk before you descend down into the village.
There are also several viewpoints and collections of charming homes as you enter Dean Village. Hawthornbank Lane is one way to walk into the village as you approach the Water of Leith Walkway and the little pedestrian walkway over it.
Walk the Water of Leith Walkway
The Water of Leith Walkway meanders through Dean Village, but it’s part of a lengthier 13-mile long trail. Here’s a basic map of the route from the official website. Essentially, the Water of Leith Walkway ventures through parks and greenspaces from the outskirts of Edinburgh in Balerno to Leith.
Walk a portion of the Water of Leith Walkway in Dean Village and follow it traveling east through Stockbridge, the Royal Botanic Garden and Leith. There’s a small pedestrian bridge that crosses into Dean Village that’s a part of the Water of Leith Walkway.
This is where we captured many beautiful photos on our wedding day. I also visited prior in the weeks leading up to our wedding to explore Dean Village in more detail and snap a few shots of the amazing scenery here.
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.
Bell’s Brae Bridge
Once you cross the Water of Leith Walkway pedestrian bridge and walk through town, you’ll end up on Dean Path and the Bell’s Brae Bridge. This is a single span bridge built in the 18th century that now serves as a roadway and a pedestrian walkway. This bridge is an important crossing point across the Water of Leith as it was once a main route in and out of the city of Edinburgh.
After you soak up the views, you might decide to stop for a coffee. While there aren’t any coffee shops or restaurants in Dean Village, there’s the portable Edinburgh Coffee Bike that positions itself on Dean Path just across from Bell’s Brae Bridge.
Well Court
Well Court is an rare example of an arts and crafts building in Edinburgh, positioned on the Water of Leith. You can see the best views of it from the small metal pedestrian bridge on the Water of Leith Walkway. It’s the red building to the left.
This is one of the best works by Sydney Mitchell, a notable Scottish architect. It was used as a housing complex for workers and included a courtyard and a communal hall. The building was completed in 1886. Go for a stroll into its central courtyard on your walk.
Dean Bridge
I walked across the Water of Leith Walkway bridge and Bell’s Brae Bridge; next, I’d walk beneath the Dean Bridge as I wandered on Miller Row and then the Water of Leith Walkway towards St. Bernard’s Well. Dean Bridge is a massive structure that towers above the walking path and Dean Village.
The Dean Bridge was designed by Thomas Telford and constructed from 1829 to 1832. It connected New Town Edinburgh to the northwest side of the city, allowing for expansion. In 1831 before the bridge was completed, the builder, John Gibb, charged pedestrians one penny to enjoy the view.
Of course, the view nowadays has no cost at all! If you’d like to view your surroundings from on top of Dean Bridge, walk up Bell’s Brae to Queensferry Road and Dean Bridge. However, I suggest coming back down to the Water of Leith Walkway to continue your scenic meander by the river.
This greenspace is so serene that you’ll hardly believe it’s within the city boundaries. Listen to the gentle sounds of the river flowing as you’re surrounded by tall trees and old structures. This walking path was such a nice surprise as I wasn’t sure what to expect.
St. Bernard’s Well
As I continued down the path, I couldn’t help but stop to admire St. Bernard’s Well. Painter Alexander Nasmyth designed the structure in 1789, although the natural spring was discovered in 1760. Edinburgh residents thought that the natural spring had healing powers. It became a source for health and wellness.
There are eight pillars surrounding a statue of the Greek Goddess of Health, Hygeia. The interior of this structure, beneath the statue, is rarely open to the public. This is where you’ll find the well’s pump encased inside a room with a decorative mosaic ceiling.
While I didn’t get to go inside the pillared structure, it’s wonderful to admire its exterior any day of the week. However, if you’d like to see the interior, plan to visit St. Bernard’s Well during the Edinburgh Arts Festival in August, Open Door Days on the last weekend of September, or on the first Sunday of the month from April to August.
Dean Cemetery
I’m no stranger to visiting cemeteries on my travels, which might sound a bit dark. Not only are these places quite intriguing with their mausoleums and memorials, I always wonder about the lives of the people found in the cemeteries.
Dean Cemetery is an important Victorian cemetery that was once a burial site for the middle and upper classes. There are many sculptures, carvings and memorials to see as you walk through this quiet landscape.
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Art and museum lovers, you’ll want to check out the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art near Dean Village. The museum spans across two buildings, Modern One and Modern Two, as well as two sculpture parks. Modern Two is closer to the heart of Dean Village, whereas Modern One sits on the outskirts.
In Modern One, there are exhibitions and displays of contemporary works, whereas Modern Two departs from traditional styles to highlight abstract and experimental pieces. As a whole, this modern art museum focuses on compelling pieces from the 20th century.
Continue Exploring Stockbridge
After I fully experienced Dean Village, I continued on to Stockbridge after seeing St. Bernard’s Well. First, there’s a really adorable cottage that I’ve seen often on Instagram. This sweet stone cottage surrounded by potted plants and flowers is at 33 North West Circus Place (on India Place).
Circus Lane is one of the prettiest laneways in Edinburgh. It’s well worth taking a stroll down Circus Lane, admiring the scenery and the quaint homes. This is another place where we had our wedding photos taken and they turned out beautifully.
Stockbridge is another fantastic neighborhood in Edinburgh where I browsed 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.
Where to Stay in Dean Village
As I mentioned a little earlier, Justin and I rented a flat at Dragon Suites for the week. It is quite close to Dean Village, only about a 10 minute walk, and about the same walking distance from Haymarket Station. However, if you’d like to live like a local in Dean Village for a short while, there are a few places to spend the night.
The Well Court Residence
The Well Court Residence is a one bedroom holiday rental in Dean Village. It has so many helpful and modern amenities like a fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, a living space with a TV, a bathroom, and its own private entrance. Book your stay at The Well Court Residence.
400 Dean Village Apartment
400 Dean Village Apartment is a unit inside Westmills, an old mill redeveloped as a housing structure. There’s a comfortable living room, a dining room, a kitchen, a master bedroom, and a second bedroom with two single beds. Book your stay at 400 Dean Village Apartment.
Apartment in the Picturesque Dean Village
Here’s another fantastic property in Dean Village. It’s a newly refurbished first floor flat with two bedrooms, a modern bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, a dining room, and lift access. The property has a private garden overlooking the Water of Leith, so lovely! Book your stay at the Apartment in the Picturesque Dean Village.
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
- The Cauldron Potions Cocktail Class
- The Glasshouse Hotel Review
- Circus Lane, the Prettiest Street in Edinburgh
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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.