Immaculate Georgian Ground Floor Apartment
Peaceful historic city centre location
Designed by James Milne for the owner of the St Bernard's Estate, painter (Sir) Henry Raeburn (1756-1823) St Bernard's Crescent is one of Edinburgh's finest Georgian streets. The apartment is accessed between two of the grand Doric columns which are the unifying motif of the Crescent's beautiful facade. It is compact, convenient, and well designed. Completely refurbished in late 2008, the apartment is also freshly decorated with neutral Farrow & Ball paints. The Stockbridge location, to the north of Princes Street is a superb base for your Edinburgh visit.
Bounded by the New Town and Comely Bank, with its own distinctive character, Stockbridge retains the friendly air of a village. Complete with pubs, cafés, restaurants, a proper fishmongers, independent butchers, fruit and vegetables, delicatessen, etc., all within a 5 minute walk of the apartment. The main retail thoroughfare is along Raeburn Place, the location of the first international rugby match between England and Scotland on 27 March 1871 at the Edinburgh Academy sports ground. The same ground now hosts The Grange sports club, home turf of the Scottish cricket team.
Princes Street is a pleasant 15 minutes walk through the Georgian New Town, but if you prefer, buses regularly go to Princes Street, Holyrood Palace and to Ocean terminal in Leith where the Royal Yacht Britannia is moored. The Water of Leith Walkway (www.waterofleith.org.uk) can be accessed close to the flat from Dean Park Terrace. The walk is an unexpected and peaceful retreat within the city centre. Head west along the river and you’ll discover the historic Dean Village, the Modern Art and Dean Galleries or east to Leith and Edinburgh’s dockland area.
Accommodation (back to top)
The south facing sitting room has large windows with views to the Crescent and its gardens. It is a harmoniously proportioned Georgian space, retaining many original features including black marble fireplace, working wooden window shutters, ornate decorative cornice mouldings and a salvaged oak wooden floor.
There is a gate-leg oak dining table to seat four, two sofas (includes a sofa-bed) and an ottoman with a built-in single bed. The antique desk creates a workspace for you to use the computer provided and a set of drawers houses the TV with built-in DVD player. Selection of books, board games, etc provided
The ‘traditional cupboard’ to the rear of the room miraculously conceals a modern compact but extremely well-equipped kitchen. Deceptively large, the depth of the granite worktop creates a spacious work surface for preparing meals (2.4mx 0.85m). Built-in energy efficient appliances comprise a dishwasher, traditional electric oven and electric induction hob, integrated fridge, washing machine, freezer, microwave and extractor fan. The cupboard contains crockery, cafetieres, cutlery, glasses, pots and pans, kettle and toaster. Iron and ironing board provided.
The bright and spacious bathroom is tiled in grey-green slate with some mosaic detailing in the walk-in shower. For those who prefer to take their time and relax, there is a separate bath which benefits from shower mixer taps. The wash basin also has a mixer tap. The tiles have under-floor heating and there is a stainless steel heated towel rail.
St Bernard’s Crescent is not a noisy street, but the bedroom is at the back of the apartment so is extra quiet for a good night's sleep. The bed is a standard double bed. Hairdryer and clock radio with ipod docking point provided.
Accessibility: Ground floor access. There is a disabled parking bay outside the flat. It is essential for visitors to contact the City Council in advance to advise them that they have a disabled drivers permit so they can have access to this space. Please note that even with permission, parking spaces (including disabled spaces) are not reserved and are used on a first come first served basis.
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/transport/CEC_parking
Outside: No immediate garden grounds, keys for the communal shared Crescent garden upon request.
Travel: Edinburgh is well connected with excellent communications by road, rail and air. (back to top)
Air: The airport is 8.3 miles away from St Bernard's Crescent. The Airport Bus takes 25 minutes to Waverley Bridge (above the Waverley train station); it runs every 10 minutes (early morning services every 20 minutes). www.flybybus.com If you prefer to you can go direct by taxi (www.airporttaxis-uk.co.uk/Edinburgh or links below for current rates)
Edinburgh airport continues to expand, as does its repertoire of routes. There are direct flights to the USA, Canada, Scandinavia, much of mainland Europe and many domestic destinations. It is served by many budget airlines including Ryanair, Easyjet, Jet2, Flybe, BMI baby, etc. as well as numerous scheduled airlines.
Train: Edinburgh has two stations, Waverley station is 1.0 miles (the main station) and Haymarket is 0.9 miles from St Bernard’s Crescent. For train schedules and information about the cost benefits of advance bookings see: www.nationalrail.co.uk
Road
Taxi Hire:
www.citycabs.co.uk +44 131 228 1211
www.taxis-edinburgh.co.uk +44 131 229 2468
Bus: The city bus station is 0.8 miles away in St Andrews Square. For bus routes and their timetables throughout the city follow this link see: www.lothianbuses.com The 36 route goes directly to the apartment; 29, 42 & 24 operate along Raeburn Place and directly up to Princes Street and beyond.
Car: Parking is restricted to resident’s permits which unfortunately are not transferrable to visitors. Meter parking is available on Dean Park Street and Danube Street. For more information on city parking www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/transport/CEC_parking
Car Club: There are car club parking bays close to the apartment just off Dean Park Street. If you are a member of the city car club, this can be much more cost effective than traditional car hire for your visit. www.citycarclub.co.uk
Car Hire: International car hire companies: Eurocar, Avis, Hertz, Budge. Local: Arnold Clark
Changeover Day
Saturday is the preferred day for arrivals and departures. The accommodation will be available for occupation from 4 pm on the first day of the hire unless otherwise agreed. We endeavour to be flexible and accommodate guests as we appreciate you may be arriving early from international flights. When we are unable to provide earlier access to the apartment, we will assist in housing your bags in the interim. Check out at latest by 11.30am on last day of hire period.
Prices (back to top)
| Dates (2010-11) | City Break (1-3 nights) |
Weekly |
January 5th to February 28th |
£280 |
£350 |
March 1st to July 30th |
£352 |
£440 |
July 31st to September 3rd |
n/a |
£610 |
September 4th to October 29th |
£352 |
£440 |
October 30th to December 18th |
£280 |
£350 |
December 18th to January 4th |
n/a |
£610 |
Please note that stays of 4 to 6 nights will be charged on a pro-rata basis between the city break and the weekly rate.
The apartment has gas central heating and prices include council tax, reasonable use of gas and electricity, linen and towels. Cleaning and linen changes are undertaken weekly. Shampoo, conditioner, soaps, etc are provided as well as a selection of books, games, etc.
Welcome pack: basic staples such as tea, coffee, milk etc and breakfast materials are provided for your first night's stay.
Communication: Pay as you go mobile phone can be hired on request (advance notice and deposit required). Wifi and use of a computer is also included.
Please note that smoking and pets are not permitted in the apartment.
Download the forms here and send back to us via email.
Things to do & see (back to top)
Food: Edinburgh has an amazing selection of restaurants, cafes and coffee shops to accommodate all tastes and budgets (www.list.co.uk/places/restaurant ). Whilst being home to many of the chains, part of Stockbridge’s charm is the strength, quality and diversity within the independent sector. This extends to specialist food shops such as Mellis cheese (www.mellischeese.co.uk ), Herbie’s delicatessen (www.herbieofedinburgh.co.uk), Bower’s butchers (www.georgebowerbutchers.co.uk) and Armstrong’s the fishmongers as well as eating out. If you are eating out in Stockbridge then North West Circus Place, Deanhaugh and St Stephen St are where most are concentrated and worth exploring further.
Eating out in Stockbridge’s independent sector: A small sample include: Bells Diner (Best for burgers); Zan Zero (Italian) www.zanzero.com, Ruan Thai (Thai) www.ruanthai.co.uk, The Stockbridge Restaurant (a special occasion) www.thestockbridgerestaurant.co.uk, Hectors for a relaxing drink with food www.hectorsstockbridge.co.uk or the Bailie for a more traditional bar with food www.thebailiebar.co.uk
Activities:
Golf: www.edinburghguide.com/sport/golf
Skiing: www.edinburghguide.com/edinburghguidebook/sport/skiscotlandguide
Coast/Beach: www.edinburgh.org/beaches
Bus Tours: Compare the various options on: www.stuckonscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/bus-tour-comparison.html
Tours: This link gives you lots of ideas: www.stuckonscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/day-trips
Thinking of planning a wedding in Edinburgh? Civil Ceremonies: Victoria St, 2 India Buildings; General information on how to go about it
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/City_Living/Life_events/Marriages/CEC_marrying_in_edinburgh
Tracing your family tree and their home? Find out more at www.ancestralscotland.com ; National Archive Scotland www.nas.gov.uk ; General Register for Scotland Office www.gro-scotland.gov.uk; The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical monuments of Scotland. www.rcahms.gov.uk
Festivals & Culture
Festivals: Best known for the International Festival held annually in August Edinburgh’s spoilt for choice with a range of Festivals held throughout the year www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk
Historic Scotland: Free entry to Edinburgh Castle and over 70 attractions throughout Scotland if you join, cost effective if you are planning to visit a few historic sites. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/member
National Trust: Free entry to over 300 attractions throughout Britain if you join www.nts.org.uk
Edinburgh Theatres: www.fctt.org.uk (King’s & Festival); www.lyceum.org.uk (Lyceum) www.rsno.org.uk (Usher Hall)
National Galleries of Scotland: www.nationalgalleries.org
Museum of Scotland: www.nms.ac.uk
Royal Yacht Britannia: www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
The Royal Mile: www.theroyalmile.org.uk
The Palace of Holyroodhouse: www.royalcollection.org.uk
St Giles Cathedral: www.stgiles.net
Dynamic Earth: www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Films: www.edinburghguide.com/film
Royal Botanic Garden (Edinburgh): www.rbge.org.uk
Edinburgh Zoo: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
For all your day to day needs: (back to top)
Health: Doctors surgery, The Blue Practice, India Place, Stockbridge www.bluepractice.co.uk/
Chemist: Lindsay & Gilmour, India Place, Stockbridge & Lloyds Pharmacy Deanhaugh Street
Money: ATMs found on North West Circus Place, Deanhaugh St, Raeburn Place; American Express (corner of Frederick Street & George Street.)
Post office: Frederick St and closer to the apartment within Costcutter, 70 Raeburn Place
Independent Grocers: Various along Raeburn Place and Deanhaugh Street
Supermarkets: Scotmid on Raeburn Place and Hamilton Place, Sainsburys at Craigleith Retail Park and Waitrose on Comely Bank Road. Supermarkets offer online shopping and will deliver, so to save time you can do your shopping before you arrive if you like. Just book a delivery slot for when it suits you. www.sainsburys.co.uk ; www.waitrose.com ; www.tesco.com
Launderette: Raeburn Place www.city-visitor.com/edinburgh/laundries
Hairdressers; beauticians; spas, etc: www.city-visitor.com/edinburgh/hairdressers.html
Useful links: (back to top)
www.eventsedinburgh.org.uk
www.list.co.uk
www.whatson-scotland.co.uk
www.edinburgh.org
www.edinburgh.gov.uk
www.youredinburgh.info
www.activity-scotland.org.uk
www.theoracle.co.uk
