Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Brightons

"Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 2ND. Things to do at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions review. Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions is located on the Castlehill section of Edinburgh, Scotland, close to the Royal Mile and Edinburgh castle."

"Capture five floors full of optical experiences through the mirror maze, giant kaleidoscope, giant vortex tunnel, magic gallery, horrogram and lots more, here in a world that blends reality and illusion. Distance from Hotel:300 m4 mins4 mins2 mins"

"Located just behind the Scottish Parliament Building, Calton Hill is part of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views from the top of this hill are usually the panoramic views you see of Edinburgh. Several of the monuments we have mentioned above will be found here including the National Monument (which resembles an Athenian acropolis), Nelson Monument, Dugald Stewart Monument, Robert Burns Monument and the Greek-inspired Old City Observatory, which also holds free exhibitions."

"Situated at the east end of Princes Street sits Calton Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For sweeping city views from practically any spot, this is your place. Consider this sanctuary the perfect Kodak moment location for stunning views — and free of charge."

"The hill overlooks the entire town, including Princess Street, which is the direction of the castle. Within that view is the Dugald Stewart monument, which makes for a wonderful shot. Calton Hill is particularly breathtaking at sunset."

"Down underneath Edinburgh Castle is the Princes Street Gardens, a large public park which runs parallel to Princes Street, divided into the East and West gardens by The Mound. The gardens are the former site of the “Nor Loch”, a defensive lake that sat here until the mid 18th century, and was usually very badly polluted by everything that dribbled out of the medieval city. Today, the landscaped gardens are a rather nicer environment, particularly popular in the summer as a place to relax and take in the views."

"In the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, and at the very centre of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Princess Street Gardens is another of Edinburgh’s important parks. Here you will see the world-famous Floral Clock and an array of public monuments such as the David Livingstone Statue and the Scott Monument, to name a couple. Please note this is a gated park and the gates are opened and closed according to the opening times."

"Enjoy a glass of mulled wine at Edinburgh Christmas Market|© Monica Wells / Alamy Stock Photo. No visit to Edinburgh in the wintertime would be complete without a browse round the atmospheric Christmas Market (daily 10am – 10pm, mid November to early January). It’s also pretty much impossible to avoid, regardless of whether you’re a tourist or a beleaguered Edinburgh shopper."

"Calton Hill provides a panoramic view of the city, with Princes Street, the castle, and the Old Town silhouetted against Arthur's Seat. To the east and north you can see the Firth of Forth and the docks at Leith. At the foot of the hill stands the 13th-century Royal High School, where Sir Walter Scott was once a pupil."

"As early as 1816, the Highland Society of Scotland called for the construction of a national monument to commemorate the fallen in the Napoleonic wars. In January 1822, a proposal was put forward to ‘erect a facsimile of the Parthenon’."

"Greyfriars Church, built on the site of a medieval monastery, was where the National Covenant was signed in 1638. The covenant, which…"

"The stone now sits inside a metal cage designed by local architect John Allan in 1887, quite the commission!. The stone was used for beheadings in medieval Stirling and sits atop Mote Hill, where the remains of a vitrified fort were also found. Famous shoulders which lost their heads on the hill include Murdoch Stewart, the Duke of Albany, in 1425."

"The Beheading Stone is just a short, but steep, walk from the Old Bridge and is where the ultimate penalty was handed out back in the 15thcentury. Gruesome, but the view is worthwhile, and unlike some previous visitors, you should have the luxury of being able to enjoy it and remember it."

"One of the best things to do in Edinburgh with kids is to take them to Gorgie City Farm, a free farm that features an awesome outdoor learning experience and of course, adorable animals. The farm prides itself on being a slice of countryside life right in the heart of Edinburgh, and it is a working farm so the animals are being raised for food production in case this is something you need to take into consideration before you visit. In addition to having lovely animal exhibits, there are also regular educational talks as well as the opportunity to host kid’s birthday parties or other events here."

"Gorgie Farm is a great, free attraction situated in the heart of Edinburgh's East End. Set up with the laudable aim of educating inner-city children and adults about farming and animal husbandry, this little gem has nestled between a busy road and the railway line for over three decades. It operates as a working farm, but also offers courses in agriculture, gardening and handicrafts for both adults and children."

"LOVE Gorgie Farm, 51 Gorgie Rd, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH11 2LA. Things to do at LOVE Gorgie Farm review. Right in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland, you will find a little piece of the countryside at LOVE Gorgie farm."

"This category A listed church dates from 1875/6, it was designed by one of Scotlands most prolific architects of the time, Sir Robert Rowan Anderson. In 1920 Sir Robert Lorimer was commissioned to convert the east end of the north chapel. This chapel has many interiors of note, in particular, fine examples of stained glass windows mostly from the twentieth century, but some that were transferred from the church's original building in Barnton Street Stirling."

"Vegans don’t have to miss out on dessert, especially in Edinburgh!. Considerit is a chocolate, doughnut and ice cream cafe that’s entirely vegan. They sell the most amazing and indulgent doughnuts, like this amazing chocolate hobnob creation, which is glazed with Biscoff spread, topped with crumbled oaty Hobnobs and finished with a chocolate drizzle."

"Considerit is a must-visit for all the vegan sweet-tooths out there!. This place specialises in decadent chocolate, doughnuts and, in the warmer(?) weather, ice cream. Whether you are vegan or not, you are going to love the baked delights here at Considerit."

"Continuing with our animal-themed pubs, The Dog House is a lot less controversial and, dare I say it, a whole lot more quirky. The Dog House is one of my favourite pubs in Edinburgh, and it’s quite close to my work so we quite often pop in on a Friday. The Dog House is one of those brilliant dive bars that is full of stuff."

"It’s all very modern at The Dogs: the room looks a treat, the menu’s trendy and carefully curated – but prices are great value for the quality of the cooking and ideas. Steak, rabbit and pork belly are under £13 for mains."

"This is where restaurateur David Ramsdenís canine empire all began. Soon after opening The Dogs he launched Amore Dogs (Italian) and Seadogs (fish). All are popular, but this casual restaurant is the original and the best."

"Whatever you do, don’t touch the nose of Greyfriar’s Bobby! ***Before you leave, be sure to visit Greyfriar’s Bobby, a statue that commemorates the Skye Terrier that became famous for allegedly spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, until the dog died on 14 January 1872. Whatever you do though, do NOT rub Greyfriar’s Bobby’s nose. Shockingly enough, rubbing the statue’s nose will not inundate you with good luck and will piss off locals since you are inadvertently rubbing off the statue’s paint, an act that leads to the corrosion of the statue."

"Snap a photo of Greyfriars Bobby. This dog became known in the 19th century for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he passed away himself in 1872."

"The grounds of 17th-century Bonnington House, 10 miles west of Edinburgh, have been lovingly converted by owners and art patrons Robert and Nicky Wilson into a gorgeous, landscaped sculpture park. Meadows and woodland showcase works – many of them specially commissioned – by a clutch of Britain's leading artists, including Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Cornelia Parker and Nathan Coley, anchored by the the vast landscape sculpture Cells of Life by Charles Jencks. A varied events program includes tours every Wednesday at 10.30am."

"The beautiful grounds of a Jacobean manor house have been transformed by an art-loving couple, Robert and Nicky Wilson, into an impressive…"

"Edinburgh's gallery of modern art is split between two impressive neoclassical buildings surrounded by landscaped grounds some 500m west of Dean Village. As well as showcasing a stunning collection of paintings by the popular, post-Impressionist Scottish Colourists – in Reflections, Balloch, Leslie Hunter pulls off the improbable trick of making Scotland look like the south of France – the gallery is the starting point for a walk along the Water of Leith. Fees apply for some exhibitions."

"Split between two buildings on either side of Belford Road, Modern One and Modern Two, the gallery houses the nation's collection of modern and contemporary art. Modern Two, previously the Dean Gallery, was built as an orphanage. An austere structure, it's home to a large collection of Dada and Surrealist art, and a collection of the works of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi."

"75 Belford Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3DR (website) Open daily 10am-6pmAdmission is free (charges may apply to special exhibitions). Discover a world-class collection and cutting edge art at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The gallery is home to a range of contemporary Scottish arts collection, with more than 5,000 items of 20th-century art."