Last year, as part of a City Adventurers trip up for the Edinburgh Fringe, we wanted to take a break from the comedy and crowds for something a bit quieter. We chose to head to Edinburgh New Town and take a wander through the Georgian House at 7 Charlotte Square. This property is part of The National Trust for Scotland.
It was a lovely contrast to the Fringe chaos. Charlotte Square itself is one of Edinburgh’s grandest addresses, and the house gives you a proper look at what life was like behind those elegant doors in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
We started with a short introductory film about the family who lived there, who moved in just as Edinburgh’s New Town was being built around them. I liked that the house put this in context with a timeline showing what else was happening in the world at the time. It’s easy to think of Georgian Edinburgh in isolation, but seeing it alongside global events made it feel much more real.
Each room had an informative guide on hand, happy to answer questions, which added a lot of information to our visit. The dining table was laid out with sample menus of the period, giving a good sense of how a family like this would have entertained.
One thing worth knowing before you go is that, unlike Gladstone’s Land, there’s a no handling policy here. That said, one of the temporary exhibitions did have feather shaped information panels you were allowed to touch, and there was a dressing-up stand for children on the ground floor, so it was not entirely look-but-don’t-touch.
A few practical notes for anyone planning a visit. A self-guided tour takes around one to two hours, which fits neatly into a day where you have other adventures planned. The only staircase is wide and easy to manage, but there’s no lift, so it’s worth bearing in mind if stairs are a concern.
Unfortunately, the Georgian House is currently closed for exterior and interior conservation work, so it’s off the list for a visit this summer. We’re glad we went when we did. Conservation work usually means the house will be in even better condition once it reopens, so it’s one to keep an eye on and add back to the list for a future trip.
Book your future visit at the National Trust for Scotland
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The UK based Social Club for people who love visiting shows, exploring new places, discovering new things and solving mysteries.
Life is a journey so experience it’s adventure with like minded people. Live the life you’ve always dreamed of. City Adventurers Membership includes invitations to adventures and travel mainly in the UK
