Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Newington

"A combination of Edinburgh history, city views from a new perspective, and experience with optical illusions, the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is an attraction that certainly appeals to all ages. The centerpiece, set in a Victorian rooftop room, is a pinhole camera that projects live moving images of Edinburgh onto a viewing table. The panorama is created by a combination of mirror and lenses, and it has been entertaining people here since 1853."

"Address: Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NDWebsite: Camera Obscura Edinburgh. The Camera Obscura is one of the oldest purpose-built attractions in the United Kingdom and tens of thousands of visitors pour through its doors each year. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is located in a prime location on The Royal Mile, not far from Edinburgh Castle and more-or-less opposite The Scotch Whisky Experience."

"A fascinating must-visit place for kids and elders which uses science optical principles into play is Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Located on the Royal Mile next to the Edinburgh Castle, is a perfect stop for fun. Camera Obscura originates from a Latin word meaning ‘dark room’."

"Start at the end Princes Street and climb the staircase up the hill for some of the best views over the city – from here you can see out to the castle and over to Arthur’s Seat. Home to the National Monument, designed to be a replica of the Parthenon in Athens but never finished, it’s also where you’ll find the huge Nelson monument. At 1pm, the time ball here drops – designed to be seen by ships far our at sea, the castle’s One O’Clock gun was added as bad weather meant the ball couldn’t always be seen."

"Address: City Observatory, 38 Calton Hill, Edinburgh, EH7 5AAWebsite:Collective. Calton Hill is a large hilltop located close to the hustle and bustle of Princes Street where a collection of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks are situated within a few hundred feet of each other. The hill is included in the UNESCO World Heritage status that’s been awarded to the city which is hardly surprising considering the amount of history you will find there."

"These beautiful gardens lie in a valley that was once occupied by the Nor’ Loch (North Loch), a boggy depression that was drained in the early 19th century. At the gate beside The Mound is the Floral Clock, a..."

"Not only do the gardens offer excellent viewpoints of Edinburgh Castle but there are a few Edinburgh landmarks located within it. Other monuments in the park include both the Ross Fountain and Wojtek the Bear."

"Also dating back to the 1800s, Old St Paul’s has since been renovated multiple times – the nave extended and the chancel floor raised with marble. Nearly all of the many panes of stained glass, ornaments and vestments were made possible by fundraising or donations. Unusually, the gargoyles at Old St Paul’s are located inside, not on the exterior of the church as is common on buildings of this period."

"The plans to construct an iconic city hall in Edinburgh were sparked in 1896 by Andrew Usher, renowned whisky distiller, who promised to fund the project. In 1914, Usher Hall was built by architects Stockdale Harrison and Howard H Thomson, a magnificent and classical beaux-arts-style concert hall which stood in defiance against the Victorian Gothic architecture so commonly found within the city of Edinburgh. Situated on Lothian Road in the west of the capital, Usher Hall is instantly recognizable with its curved walls, geometric precision and intriguing exterior design, featuring famous Scots such as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns."

"Usher Hall is Edinburgh’s premier concert venue and a must-visit for fans of entertainment and culture. The hall was built in 1914 and features beautiful architecture, including a curved exterior decorated with panels of famous figures such as Sir Walter Scott and Mozart. The hall has historically been used for a variety of events, including concerts, political events, and sporting events."

"If you love gardening, you will love the Archivists’ Garden located in between the General Register House and the New Register House. Home to 57 different plant species, the Garden is not only beautiful, but all the plants are connected to Scotland’s history, be it through folklore, heraldry or association with famous Scots. Child friendly: yes Address: HM Register House, 2 Princess Street, Edinburgh EH1 3YY Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm More information on this green space"

"As previously mentioned this is the newest addition to the list. The 'hidden' restaurant is tucked away between a hairdressers and a post office on Salisbury Place in Newington. Many of their ingredients are sourced from their own walled garden, and these are put together to create a surprise eight-course tasting menu – providing a "sensory exploration of the different regions of Scotland"."

"Maverick chef Paul Kitching’s 21212 opened in 2009 and has been winning accolades ever since, including one Michelin star. Situated in an elegant Georgian townhouse in Royal Terrace, the restaurant serves up cooking that’s contemporary French in style, but that description doesn’t begin to do justice to Kitching’s Willy Wonka-style ability to coax the most unlikely flavour combinations. In theory these should create merry mayhem – who would have thought that brandy snaps, black pudding and chicken could be transformed into a sublime dish?"

"The four bedrooms above this Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms are as stylish as the food. The contemporary/baroque look (at times surprising, but always sensual) and unexpectedly leafy views, make this a low-key option with a high-octane experience."

"A grand Georgian town house on the side of Calton Hill is the elegant setting for one of Edinburgh’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Divine decor by Timorous Beasties and Ralph Lauren provides the backdrop to an..."

"Purslane eschews the stuffiness often associated with fine dining|Courtesy of Purslane Restaurant. Situated in a bijou basement in ever-fashionable Stockbridge, Purslane is that apparent oxymoron: a casual fine-dining restaurant. But Purslane, headed up by chef-patron Paul Gunning has successfully pulled it off, serving up ambitious modern cuisine without the stuffy formality often associated with fine dining."

"Inside the doors of Eden Locke's austere Georgian exterior is a hip, pastel space that won't rest until you Instagram it—not surprising, given that NYC-based architecture firm Grzywinski+Pons is behind the design. The lobby is mint green, with intensely trendy details (brass and marble shelves, about a million potted plants, modern wicker chairs) that soften into a friendly, welcoming cafe-bar space populated by day with a young crowd clicking away at laptops. Think of it as your dream Airbnb, but run by pros."

"Uber-hip and perfectly presented, the 4-star exceptionally rated Eden Locke is a design-led aparthotel situated at the heart of George Street. Shoreditch style design can be found throughout the traditional Georgian building, with carefully placed whimsical touches that add interest and will make you smile. The bedrooms are studio apartments with padded leather headboards, retro telephones and oversized clocks, while bathrooms may be small but they do offer huge walk-in showers."

"Best for Budget breaks In a nutshell If you’re looking for a serene place to stay — but still want to be in the centre of Edinburgh — this beautifully decorated aparthotel could be just the spot. Light-filled rooms, pastel-coloured walls and dreamy modernist furniture create a calm and picture-worthy spot. Plus the studio apartments are excellent value for money."

"Indian food can be such a delight, and Mumbai Mansion is an excellent place for your BFF date; with its exquisite décor and unique selection of curries it will not disappoint. This is the ideal restaurant, as they  have the traditional Indian cuisine and additionally this place serves yummy cocktails, so you and your BFF can ponder over the selection. So, get ready to post your order on Instagram and make others jealous."

"Just a few minutes from St Giles' Cathedral, Mono serves modern Italian-inspired fine dining from its restaurant at 85 South Bridge. "This place is awesome," wrote one reviewer, "I looked at the menu and thought interesting...I walked in and it changed my life." It currently has a rating of 4.8 (out of 5 stars) out of 160 Google reviews."

"This brand newcomer to the Edinburgh dining scene is the sister restaurant to the family-run Gautam’s. Found in the vibrant Southside, it’s bright, welcoming and fashionable with a great cocktail menu to boot (try the South Asian take on a whisky sour). Dine a la carte in the evening from their menu that includes classics like Kormas, Baltis and Masala dishes, or opt for one of their many fusion dishes using Nepalese flavours with Scottish ingredients like their Haggis Pakora, Salmon Tikka or Lamb Kathmandu."

"This newcomer to the Edinburgh dining scene is the sister restaurant to the family-run Gautam’s. Found in the vibrant Southside, it’s bright, welcoming and fashionable with a great cocktail menu to boot (try the South Asian take on a whisky sour). Dine a la carte in the evening from their menu that includes classics like Kormas, Baltis and Masala dishes, or opt for one of their many fusion dishes using Nepalese flavours with Scottish ingredients like their Haggis Pakora, Salmon Tikka or Lamb Kathmandu."

"To receive one WhatsApp message a day with Edinburgh Live's headlines, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07899067815. Then add the number to your contacts as 'Edinburgh Live'. For more stories from across the Edinburgh area like our Facebook page , or follow us on Twitter and Instagram ."