One of Edinburgh's largest parks is the perfect spot to go and chill out on a sunny day or to get some exercise.
The Meadows used to be a lake which supplied a large portion of the city's needs. It was decided to drain it in the 1700s to create an open space in which the city's inhabitants could escape urban life. Nowadays, it's open to everyone and remains very popular with people from the area, including the students in the nearby University of Edinburgh, for running, picnicking, and playing sports.The Middle Meadow Walk is a relaxing route through the heart of the park, with the trees lining its sides making for an attractive evening stroll. There are a number of cafés to choose from at the end, as well as a couple of shops. If you'd like to build up a bit more of a sweat, bring your bike, board, blades or skates and whizz by on one of the many cycle paths criss-crossing the park.Other sporting choices are available to the visitor as well, such as pitch and putt at the upper end of the grasslands, or the old-world sport of croquet at The Meadows Croquet club. The club is open to newcomers and experts alike, and can be found to the west – have a look at the website to see when's best to visit. A spot of tennis can also be had on one of the 16 courts available to the public.There are three playgrounds to choose from for the kids, and masses of open space for them to run around in. The park is also the perfect spot for a picnic, so pack a basket with everything you need and spend a leisurely afternoon grazing under the open skies.The Meadows is south of central Edinburgh, beside the Georges Square campus of Edinburgh University. It is located on a number of bus routes, and there is plenty of parking available nearby. The park is open 24 hours a day, all year round.
