Victoria Park, Edinburgh facts for kids
Victoria Park is a lovely area in northern Edinburgh, Scotland. It's located between the neighborhoods of Trinity and Leith, and just south of Newhaven. This special area was recognized for its historical and natural importance in March 1998, when it was given "Conservation Area" status. This means it's protected to keep its unique character and history safe for the future.
History of Victoria Park
The park you see today wasn't always this big! It was created in the early 1900s. Originally, it was smaller and mostly used the land around a house called Bonnington Park House. This house was built way back in 1789 and is still standing in the park's northeast corner.
Right at the park's entrance, off Newhaven Road, you'll see a statue of King Edward VII. It was made by a sculptor named John Stevenson Rhind.
For a long time, a deep railway line ran along the western side of the park. This railway track used to split into two before reaching Trinity Academy, connecting to the main railway line that went to Leith Docks. The park couldn't get any wider until this railway line was closed down. This happened as part of something called the "Beeching cuts," which were changes made to the railway system in the 1960s. Once the tracks were removed and the railway ditch was filled in, Victoria Park could finally grow to its current size.
There were plans to extend the Craighall estate onto the land west of the railway line, but this never happened.
Homes Around the Park
Victoria Park is surrounded by different kinds of homes. To the west, you'll find large houses called villas, which are part of the Craighall estate. To the east, there are terraces of houses with flat roofs, sometimes called the "Dudleys."
To the north of the park, you'll see Trinity Academy, a local school. Some of the school's buildings were built on land that used to be part of the park.
There's also a unique group of houses on Craighall Bank that curve into the park. These houses follow the path where the old railway line used to be.
Bonnington Park House, also known as Victoria Park House, is hidden among the trees on the north side of the park. Today, it serves as a children's center.
On the south side of the park, there used to be a school building called the Ainslie Park School annexe. It was designed by Ebenezer MacRae. This building was taken down around 1995. In its place, new flats called New Cut Rigg were built. These flats were designed to look similar to the famous Ramsay Gardens in Edinburgh's city center. Another street, Victoria Park Neuk, runs along the park's southern edge, next to the remains of the old railway line. This connects to the Water of Leith Walkway, a popular path.
The southeast corner of the park is bordered by villas built in the mid-1800s, located on Ferry Road and Newhaven Road.
Sports and Activities
Victoria Park is a great place for sports! In the southeast part of the park, you'll find bowling greens, which are special grassy areas for playing bowls. To the southwest, there are tennis courts where you can play tennis.
There used to be a putting green (for playing mini-golf) in the northwest, but it's not there anymore.
During the Second World War, the bowling greens were made smaller. This was to create allotments, which are small plots of land that people can rent to grow their own food.
Getting Around
You can easily get to Victoria Park using public transport. Bus numbers 7 and 11 go into the city center from this area. The number 7 bus also travels through Leith.
