Edinburgh Vaults, Edinburgh

Name: Edinburgh Vaults
Address: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

#174 among attractions in Edinburgh

Bridge, Reportedly haunted, Historical place

Gallery (3)

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Facts and practical information

The Edinburgh Vaults or South Bridge Vaults are a series of chambers formed in the nineteen arches of the South Bridge in Edinburgh, Scotland, was part of the South Bridge Act 1785 and was completed in 1788. For around 30 years, the vaults were used to house taverns, workshops for cobblers and other tradesmen, as well as storage space for said merchants. In later years, the vaults were a hotspot for the homeless and for criminal activity such as illegal gambling taverns, illegal whisky distillery and, according to rumour, bodysnatchers stored corpses there overnight. There is however no proof that the grave robbers Burke and Hare ever used the vaults. ()

Coordinates: 55°56'58"N, 3°11'14"W

Address

Old Town (Cowgate)Edinburgh United Kingdom

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Edinburgh

Day trips

Edinburgh Vaults – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Cockburn Street, St Giles' Cathedral, John Knox House, Thistle Chapel.

~590 ftNW
Shopping, Shopping district
Cockburn Street, Edinburgh
3 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, Cockburn Street is a vibrant and picturesque shopping district that offers a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary retail experience. This winding, cobbled street, which slopes steeply down from the Royal Mile...
~690 ftW
Iconic Presbyterian place of worship
St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh
4 min walk • St Giles' Cathedral, often referred to as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, stands as a venerable beacon of Scotland's ecclesiastical history, nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. This majestic church, with its distinctive crown steeple piercing the skyline, is not...
~620 ftNE
Museum, History museum, Historical place
John Knox House, Edinburgh
3 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile, the John Knox House is a remarkable museum that offers a glimpse into the turbulent times of the 16th century Scotland. This beautifully preserved medieval building is reputed to have been the home of the...
~660 ftW
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
Thistle Chapel, Edinburgh
4 min walk • Nestled within the historic walls of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Thistle Chapel stands as a stunning example of Gothic architecture and Scottish tradition. This intimate chapel, an addition to the cathedral completed in 1911, is the spiritual home of The Most...
~720 ftNW
Museum, Art museum
City Art Centre, Edinburgh
4 min walk • The City Art Centre is part of the Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, which sits under the Culture directorate of the City of Edinburgh Council.
~220 ftSE
Museum, Specialty museum
St Cecilia's Hall, Edinburgh
2 min walk • St Cecilia's Hall is a small concert hall and museum in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the United Kingdom. It is on the corner of Niddry Street and the Cowgate, about 168 metres south of the Royal Mile. The hall dates from 1763 and was the first purpose-built concert hall in Scotland. It is a Category A listed building.
~710 ftW
Haunted tours through now-hidden alleys
Mary King's Close, Edinburgh
4 min walk • Mary King's Close is a historic close located under buildings on the Royal Mile, in the historic Old Town area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It took its name from one Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century.
~480 ftNE
Museum, Specialty museum
Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh
3 min walk • The Museum of Childhood is a museum which houses a collection of children's toys and playthings, situated on the Royal Mile, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was the first museum in the world to specialise in the history of childhood.
~830 ftNW
Museum, Art museum, Modern art museum
Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh
5 min walk • The Fruitmarket Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in Edinburgh, Scotland. Since its opening in 1974, the gallery has become part of the Scottish contemporary art scene. After a period of closure to undergo a significant renovation, the gallery reopened in 2021 with expanded exhibition space and facilities.
~110 ftNW
Church
Tron Kirk, Edinburgh
1 min walk • The Tron Kirk is a former principal parish church in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a well-known landmark on the Royal Mile. It was built in the 17th century and closed as a church in 1952.
~580 ftN
Church
Old Saint Paul's, Edinburgh
3 min walk • Old Saint Paul's is an historic church of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town in Scotland. It is one of the original congregations of the Scottish Episcopal Church, part of the Anglican Communion, which evolved with the adoption of Presbyterian governance by the established Church of Scotland.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Edinburgh Vaults?

Nearby attractions include Tron Kirk, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Mercat Tours, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Monkey Barrel Comedy, Edinburgh (1 min walk), Russell Collection, Edinburgh (2 min walk).

How to get to Edinburgh Vaults by public transport?

The nearest stations to Edinburgh Vaults:

Bus

South Bridge • Lines: 29, 3, 31, 37, 49, 51 (1 min walk)
North Bridge • Lines: 14, 29, 3, 31, 37, 49, 51, 7, 8 (5 min walk)

Train

Edinburgh Waverley (6 min walk)

Tram

St Andrew Square • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (11 min walk)
Princes Street • Lines: Edinburgh Trams Eastbound, Edinburgh Trams Westbound (12 min walk)