As I am writing this I am currently sat on a train, travelling home from Edinburgh, Scotland. I impulsively decided to book a trip to the Scottish capital only last week. I knew I had some time off work approaching and so I wasted no time in booking my train tickets and hotel before setting off on an adventure. (I stayed at a Hub hotel by Premier Inn, located conveniently in the city centre and just a few minutes walk away from Edinburgh Waverley station – find out more about my stay at Hub at the bottom of this post).

Why, then, did I choose to go to Edinburgh of all places? I had been wanting to visit the city for a while (I last visited back in 2012, but my memory’s of that trip are hazy). Most importantly though, it was an ideal distance for me to travel. I caught a three hour direct train from Doncaster station, arriving straight into the heart of Edinburgh. (Side note: I would absolutely always recommend travelling by train to Scotland – not only is it more eco- friendly, but the views are certainly not to be missed)!

In this post I have gathered together all the best bits from my trip and my personal favourite spots, including some absolute must- sees if you are going to be visiting the Scottish city any time soon.

Read on to discover more about Edinburgh…

Walk along The Royal Mile

Possibly one of the most well- known streets in Scotland, The Royal Mile is stunning to simply wander down and observe. It’s home to some of the most impressive architecture I have ever seen, including St. Giles cathedral. (See photo above)

Visit Victoria Street (aka Diagon Alley)

Here is one for all the Potter fans. Victoria Street, located just
off The Royal Mile, is believed to be the
inspiration behind Diagon Alley from JK Rowling’s world-
renowned Harry Potter book series. With its
cobbled pavement and mis- matching towering buildings,
it certainly feels as if you have stepped right
into the Wizarding World. There are also some
amazing Harry
Potter themed shops along the street
that are definitely worth taking your time to explore!

Have lunch at The Elephant House

Continuing on with the theme of Harry Potter then, you won’t wan to miss The Elephant Cafe or the “birthplace of Harry Potter”. It is in this cafe that JK Rowling sat and created the magical Wizarding
World that we all know so well today. It is wonderful just to be able to sit in that space and reflect uponthat fact. The cafe also has some amazing food and drink to offer, as well as a little surprise in it’sbathrooms (which you will no doubt appreciate if you are a crazy Potterhead like myself)!

Visit The Writer’s Museum

Tucked down a narrow alleyway just off of The Royal Mile – The Writer’s Museum feels like Edinburgh’s little hidden gem. If you are a bit of a bookworm then you are bound to love this place! The museum
celebrates the lives and works of three famous Scottish writers; Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott. It is also home to some incredible artefacts such as a chair that Sir Walter Scott used in his home, all contained within a beautiful four- hundred year old building.

Marvel at Edinburgh Castle

Step inside an historic Edinburgh and discover the beauty of it’s famous castle – learn all about it’s many Kings and Queens through the ages, such as Mary Queen of Scots. On a clear day the views from the castle walls are absolutely breath- taking, stretching out over the entire city (luckily I was able to experience these before getting caught in a rather vicious snow storm!). While the ticket price is on the expensive side, there is plenty to explore once you are inside the castle grounds including the chance to visit the Scottish National War Memorial.

Discover the city’s many cafés & bistros

After a long day of exploring some of Edinburgh’s best sights, it is always refreshing to sit down with a good drink. One thing I noticed whilst walking the streets of the city centre was the numerous amount of independent coffee shops and bistros – I am a sucker for a quirky coffee shop and I was honestly spoilt for choice! I tried out a few – Cockburn café & bistro and also the Wanderlust café & bistro. Both of these had beautifully decorated interiors (definitely Instagram- worthy); the Cockburn café was decked out with fairy lights and old books whilst the Wanderlust café (clue is in the name) was travel themed. Not forgetting, of course, the delicious food and drinks on offer!

Please note, I only had a few days to explore – I tried to cram in as much as I possibly could, but there is still so much that I need to see! I did visit a few more museums that I have not mentioned in this post, however this is only a selection of my top favourites. I am hoping to return to Edinburgh later this year, some time in the warmer season to visit places such as the Royal Botanical Gardens, Dean Village
and Calton Hill – so keep a lookout for that blog post!

My stay at Hub by Premier Inn

I was absolutely thrilled with my stay at the Hub, I really didn’t want to leave! My room had touch screen controls for the lighting and heating, the comfiest bed, the most amazing shower, a flat screen TV complete with a free selection of movies and complimentary water upon arrival, as well as free tea and coffee facilities. The staff were also very lovely and accommodating; they allowed me to leave my luggage after checking out so that I could go off and explore some more before catching my train home. I would wholly recommend it to anyone!