Apr 2, 2025

The Cactus House Edinburgh

Henderson Row

""The Cactus House" is one of my favourite little hidden gems (and photo stops). This impressive doorstep is adorned with flowers, cacti and so much more!"

This place is a little bit of an unofficial tourist spot – but one of my favourite little ‘hidden gems’ (and quirky little photo stops). Henderson Row in Edinburgh’s New Town is known for its grand Georgian houses, pristine and guarded by large stately pillars. A walk down this street offers a sense of the New Town’s splendours, with many of its conventional doorways being worthy of a photograph in their own right.

However, there’s one home on this street that stands out for all the right reasons: an entranceway adorned with flora and cacti. And, we’re not talking ‘plant shop chic’ decorations! On this impressive doorstep you’ll find lampshades bursting with succulents, an armchair adorned with colourful vegetation, troll dolls and bread bins bursting with prickly greenery and typewriters overgrown with wandering plants. I’ve still to meet the owners of this kooky creation, but their playful personalities can be read in the way that they have chosen to draw attention to their home.

Although you can’t go into the house itself (it’s a regular residential building after all), its unusual facade is worth the little 15-minute walk from the centre of town to. They say that there’s no better way to decorate your home or brighten someone's day than with flowers. In this case, I couldn’t agree more!

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Henderson Row

£

no-price

Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Edinburgh guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Edinburgh

Lochend Park

Birdwatching bounty

"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Newhaven Harbour

Fish and chips by the sea

Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Starbank Park

Gardens with a view

"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Water of Leith

River through the city

The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Wardie Bay

Wild swimming in the city

"Wardie Bay" in Edinburgh is a bijou beach on the Firth of Forth and my favourite spot for wild swimming in the city...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Dance Base

Dance your heart out

"Dance Base" is an award-winning building in Edinburgh established to provide classes, workshops & performances. Please do join me in dancing!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Dovecot Studios

Watch the weavers at work

The "Dovecot Studios" in Edinburgh were once public swimming baths where I'd swim every morning - now I can have a bird's eye view of weavers & looms...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop

Art and good coffee

The "Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop" is a bit of an institution. Going regularly means I can keep up with the artist’s work and enjoy a scone & jasmine tea.

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Granton Hub

Community arts

"Granton Hub" (aka Madelvic House) in North Edinburgh is a community centre in a prosaic, truly historic building with a rich industrial heritage...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Inverleith Park

Green space and games

"Inverleith Park" is kind of a mirror-image of the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens: one is lauded for its unusual trees, the other for its wide-open spaces

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Japanese Garden Lauriston Castle

Peace

"Lauriston Castle" in Edinburgh is fairly well known to tourists, but its Japanese garden is not. All is perfectly balanced here...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Lothian Buses

Hop-on hop-off for less

In Edinburgh, you don't have to get on a tourist bus at all - get a day ticket for the local "Lothian Buses" and you can explore the city for cheap!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Apr 29, 2025

Heading to Edinburgh?

138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Edinburgh?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

138 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Edinburgh

Get to know our other Spotters from Edinburgh

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
53
Filters