Accessible Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh
Accessibility :
Wheelchair Accessible Building (mostly),
Wheelchair Accessible Toilet,
Wheelchair Accessible Cafe
More....
For details of other wheelchair accessible hotels, wheelchair-friendly eating and drinking options and wheelchair accessible attractions in Edinburgh, see the Accessible Edinburgh Guide
Accessible Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse at the foot of The Royal Mile in Edinburgh is mostly accessible, with some restrictions in Mary, Queen of Scots’ Chambers.
Accessible Parking near the Palace of Holyroodhouse
There are no accessible parking facilities within the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse itself. However, accessible on-street parking spaces are located on Horse Wynd, which is just outside the Palace. These spaces cannot be booked in advance though (they are allocated on a "first come, first served" basis). You can park here for 4 hours, which is enough time to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse - and also to visit the Scottish Parliament building on the other side of the road.
Getting to the Palace of Holyroodhouse by public transport
Train:
The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley Train Station (about 15 minutes away though!). My advice if arriving at Edinburgh Waverley would be to take a wheelchair accessible taxi, from the taxi rank at the station, to Holyrood Palace (or even up the hill to Edinburgh Castle - see the Edinburgh Royal Mile DIY Walking Tour info).
If you do decide to walk (or be pushed) though, which is definitely possible, then I would recommend leaving Edinburgh Waverley Station via the two wheelchair accessible lifts which take you towards Waverley Market (the opposite direction!), turning right onto Princes Street, then again turning right onto North Bridge, and crossing the bridge. Then turn left (into High Street) and trundle down the hill to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (alternatively, and if you want to follow the Edinburgh Royal Mile DIY Walking Tour, turn right into High Street, trundle up to Edinburgh Castle from there - and start the Edinburgh Royal Mile DIY Walking Tour after visiting Edinburgh Castle).
This may seem like a circuitous route. But the two lifts at Edinburgh Waverley, and the roundabout route, minimise the gradient.
Trams & Buses:
These also arrive near Waverley Market on Princes Street, so simply follow the directions above too (the bit from Princes Street to the Palace of Holyroodhouse - or to Edinburgh Castle and the subsequent Edinburgh Royal Mile DIY Walking Tour).
Access - Entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The ticket office at the main entrance is completely wheelchair accessible (and this is where you'll first come into contact with the extremely helpful Palace of Holyroodhouse staff).
Concessionary rates are available to wheelchair users, and a companion is admitted free of charge.
A one-hour audioguide is also included. And you can plug your own earphones into the machines instead of the ones that are supplied if you'd prefer (standard earphone socket).
Visiting early in the morning is recommended (as it does get busy here).
Palace of Holyroodhouse Accessibility
Most of the building and gardens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse are wheelchair accessible.
However, Mary Queen of Scots Chambers can only be accessed by a spiral staircase (25 steps).
A wheelchair accessible lift will take you up to all other upper floor attractions though.
Access to the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse is free of charge.
Accessible Toilets at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Wheelchair accessible toilets are located in the Mews Courtyard by the Café at the Palace (which can be visited without buying a ticket to the main Palace of Holyroodhouse building).
There are no Changing Places facilities at the Palace of Holyroodhouse - but a Changing Places facility is available in the Scottish Parliament building just across the road.
Accessible Cafe/Restaurant at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Café at the Palace has both indoor and outdoor seating areas, and there is a wheelchair accessible toilet in the Mews Courtyard here.
More....
For details of other wheelchair accessible visitor attractions, eating and drinking options and hotels in Edinburgh, see the Accessible Edinburgh Guide
Photo credit: Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.
Palace of Holyroodhouse News
Get the latest accessibility news from Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, on the Royal Collection Trust’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube social media channels.