A brief history of the Winter Garden

The Rose Garden and Winter Gardens were established as part of the core gardens of the Saughtonhall mansion estate in the 17th and 18th century. These gardens have a long and varied history and have become a well-loved and renowned feature of the area.

 

Both the Rose Gardens and the Winter Garden are found within the Walled Garden. The west, south and southern half of the east walls that still stand today are the oldest remnants of the outer garden walls. The gateway on the west side of the Walled Garden is the original entrance to the south gardens of the mansion and then to the main entrance of the mansion itself.

 

The new Winter Garden was opened in 1984 thanks to a  partnership between Edinburgh City Council and the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. Subsequently, the Winter Garden has been revamped and now has displays featuring plants from the Americas, South Africa, the Himalayas and the Atlantic Islands.

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The Winter Garden is maintained by Edinburgh City Council.

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If you would like to learn more about the history of the Winter Garden please visit the Friends History Group page.

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