Edinburgh’s Dean Village: A Historical Wander along the Water of Leith Walkway

(21 reviews)

Edinburgh audio tour: Edinburgh’s Dean Village: A Historical Wander along the Water of Leith Walkway

This is a 2.1mi walking tour

It takes an average of 60 mins to complete.

Edinburgh

The United Kingdom

$7.99

Access all 31 locations offline with the VoiceMap app

Buy for a Group

Reviews

About the Tour

Dean Village is a picturesque and tranquil oasis nestled in the heart of Edinburgh. This walking tour will take you through the village’s narrow lanes and alongside its scenic river, the Water of Leith, where you’ll discover architecture and historical landmarks that offer a fascinating peek into this area’s character.

The tour begins in the heart of Dean Village at the charming Edinburgh Coffee Bike, from where you’ll head to the village’s most iconic landmark, Well Court, with its picturesque courtyard and clock tower. As you walk along the Water of Leith Walkway, you’ll hear stories about the village’s milling past.

Our journey continues under the impressive Dean Bridge, where you’ll be able to enjoy its stunning views from below and hear all about its construction. You’ll also visit St Bernard’s Well and delve into the history of its healing waters. The tour ends in quaint Stockbridge, a neighbourhood where you can explore unique shops and cafes, all while enjoying picturesque views along the Water of Leith.

On this tour, you’ll have a chance to:

Explore the National Galleries of Scotland Modern One and Two, showcasing contemporary art
Wander through the enchanting streets of Dean Village and admire its well-preserved architecture
Learn about the Leith’s otters at the Stan Wilson statue that honors the playful river creature's presence here
Visit the tranquil Dean Cemetery, the final resting place of notable figures including Dr Joseph Bell, the inspiration for the Sherlock Holmes character
Find out how Antony Gormley’s statue, maintained by the National Galleries, reveals the ebbs and flows of the River Leith

By the end of this tour, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the serene beauty and rich history of Dean Village and its surrounding areas.

Tour Producer

Coffee Coos of Dean Village

1 tour

Hello! My name is Jonathan, and I am the proud owner and operator of Edinburgh Coffee Bike, the first of its kind in Scotland. I am thrilled to offer you a unique experience with our Dean Village tour, a charming and historical area that many visitors descend upon. My goal is to enhance your visit by providing not only exceptional coffee but also fascinating information about this picturesque location.

I'm excited to share that the voice-over for the tour is done by my high school best friend Christine, adding a personal touch to the experience. Additionally, the route editing was expertly handled by Voice Map, ensuring you have a seamless and enjoyable journey through Dean Village.

We hope you enjoy the tour, the history, and, of course, our tasty beverages. Enjoy your time here, and don't forget to grab a delicious coffee while you take in the sights!

Preview Location

Location 29

St. Bernard's Well

Come to a stop by the well on your left. St. Bernard's Well is midway between Stockbridge and Dean Village, alongside the Water of Leith. The circular neoclassical pump room was built on the site of a natural spring discovered by locals in 1760, and legend states it was disco... Come to a stop by the well on your left. St. Bernard's Well is midway between Stockbridge and Dean Village, alongside the Water of Leith. The circular neoclassical pump room was built on the site of a natural spring discovered by locals in 1760, and legend states it was discovered by a group of schoolboys fishing around 1760. In 1789 the well was purchased by Lord Gardenstone. Mr Gardenstone was a staunch anti-slavery campaigner who spearheaded the city’s Committee for Abolition of the Slave Trade. In 1778, he was a central figure in a landmark case that oversaw overturning the subjugation of an enslaved person named Joseph Knight, thus providing for his freedom and paving the way for the county’s eradication of human bondage. For nearly two centuries, people came to St. Bernard’s Well for what they called “taking the waters.” The water was said to have magical healing properties, and wealthy visitors flocked to the spring in search of a miracle cure for their ailments, such as arthritis, blindness, and backache. However, not everyone extolled the virtues of the water, with some describing it as having ‘the odious twang of hydrogen gas’ and tasting like ‘the washings from a foul gun barrel’.

Keep heading in the same direction you have been. Take the path closest to the Leith and keep the river on your left. Head straight to St Bernard's Bridge. I'll continue telling you about the well while you walk.

Dubbed St Bernard’s Well after the estate on which it was discovered, the circular neoclassical pump room was built based on the ancient Roman Temple of Vesta in Tivoli. At the center of the open pillared dome stands the statue of Hygeia, the goddess of health. The beautiful statue is perched on a Roman-style temple, surrounded by columns and a domed roof featuring a golden pineapple. This little gem was restored in 2013 as the last in the City’s Twelve Monuments programme. Some features have been restored, such as replacing the re-gilded pineapple finial and the roof timbers. Read More

View locations and route

How VoiceMap Works

Focus on your surroundings, not the screen

The VoiceMap app uses GPS to play audio automatically, at the right time and place, so you can focus on your surroundings, not the screen.

Follow a route with turn-by-turn-directions

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a fixed starting point. That lets us give turn-by-turn directions and use context to tell a better story.

Resume playback to go at your own pace

If you'd like to stop for a drink or go into a museum, end your tour then use the Resume feature to pick up exactly where you left off.

Listen as many times as you like

You can listen to your tours as often as you like using both the VoiceMap app and website.

Take virtual tours anywhere, like a podcast

Select Virtual mode in the VoiceMap app to listen to tours like a podcast - at home or in transit.

Buy for less on voicemap.me and sync

Once you've purchased a tour, it's added to your VoiceMap library. To access it in the app, just sign in using the same account.

Do tours without paying for data

Tours work offline, so you don't have to pay roaming fees. Just download them over WiFi before you get started.

Major Landmarks

Stockbridge Market
Antony Gormley - 6 Times (figure III)
St Bernard's Bridge
St. Bernard's Well
The Dean Bridge
Bell’s Brae Bridge
Edinburgh Coffee Bike
Well Court
Dean Village
Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith Weir
Belford Bridge
There Will Be No Miracles Here
National Galleries of Scotland: Modern Two
Anthony Gormley - 6 Times (Figure I)
National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One
Dean Cemetery

View all

Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Dean Path, Edinburgh EH4 3BH, UK
Total distance

3km
Final location
Deanhaugh St, Edinburgh EH4, UK, UK
Distance back to start location

799.61m

Directions to Starting Point

Start at Edinburgh Coffee Bike, the first of its kind in Scotland. Head towards Dean Path you can't miss us by the classic red telephone box.

Show Directions

Gift vouchers

Buy tours for friends and family who delight in discovery

Buy Now

Buy for a group

Get 15% to 50% off when you buy for a group

Buy Now

License this tour

Adapt this tour to use your brand and suit your guests

Find out more

Tips

Places to stop along the way

Dean village, Damside, Museum of Art, Dean cemetery Water of Leith to Stocbridge

Best time of day

As long as there is light you can do the tour. between 9- 5pm

Precautions

It is Scotland, bring everything! Jacket suncream umbrella and shorts. Be aware of cars as it is a residential area and be courteous to our neighbours.

Get The App

Download tours to use them offline

Listen hands-free with GPS playback

Get turn-by-turn directions

Scan the QR Code

“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”