Prestonfield House is a 5-star country house hotel set in a 17th-century baronial mansion at the foot of Arthur’s Seat. Antique-furnished rooms, extensive private gardens, free parking, breakfast included in the Rhubarb Restaurant, and a £25/night pet fee. Dogs are welcome throughout the hotel and grounds — everywhere except the restaurant itself.
Location & Nearby Dog Walks
Prestonfield House sits at the southern edge of Holyrood Park, roughly 2 miles from the Royal Mile. The hotel’s own grounds are spacious and leafy — enough for a morning leg-stretch without leaving the property. For a proper walk, Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat are a 20-minute stroll through the Pollock Halls area. The Radical Road route around the base of Salisbury Crags gives wide paths and panoramic views without the steep summit climb.
If you prefer a flatter route, the Innocent Railway path runs through the park and links to the city centre via a traffic-free green corridor — about 35 minutes on foot back to Princes Street. Duddingston Loch (10-minute walk east) is a wildlife reserve popular with dog walkers — dogs must be on leads near the loch but the surrounding paths are open.
Dog Policy
Dogs are welcome in all public areas — bar, lounge, gardens — everywhere except the Rhubarb Restaurant. At £25 per night the pet fee is mid-range for Edinburgh’s luxury tier; The Balmoral charges £50 but restricts dogs to under 20lbs. Prestonfield has no stated size or breed limit. Dogs must not be left unattended in rooms. If you want full dining access with your dog, The Dunstane Houses allows dogs in its conservatory bar.
Who It Suits
Prestonfield House is the right call if you want a genuine country-house stay — four-poster beds, open fires, peacocks in the grounds — without leaving Edinburgh. It suits couples or solo travellers who prioritise atmosphere and seclusion over central convenience. Free parking, no size limit, and generous dog access in public areas make it unusually practical for a 5-star property. Not ideal if you need to be walking distance from Princes Street; for that The Balmoral or Waldorf Astoria are better placed.
Practical Tips
- Pet fee: £25/night — confirm at booking
- Free private parking on-site — one of very few Edinburgh hotels to offer this at 5-star level
- Breakfast included in room rate — served in Rhubarb Restaurant (dogs not admitted)
- Dogs welcome in bar, lounge, and grounds; order bar menu to dine alongside your dog
- Dogs must not be left unattended in rooms
- Holyrood Park / Arthur’s Seat: 20-minute walk — off-lead on open hillside above the Radical Road
- Duddingston Loch: 10-minute walk east — scenic, dogs on leads near water
- Buses 30 and 33 stop 5 minutes away — city centre in 15 minutes
- Nearest vet: Dick Vet Small Animal Hospital (Royal (Dick) School), 0.6 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my dog to the Rhubarb Restaurant at Prestonfield House?
No — dogs are not permitted in the Rhubarb Restaurant. However, dogs are welcome in the bar, lounge, and all outdoor areas. You can order from the bar menu and eat alongside your dog in the lounge.
Is there a weight limit for dogs at Prestonfield House?
No published weight or breed limit. Unlike The Balmoral, which restricts dogs to under 20lbs, Prestonfield’s country-house setting and spacious grounds make it one of the better 5-star options for larger breeds in Edinburgh.
How far is Prestonfield House from Edinburgh city centre?
Roughly 2 miles — about 35 minutes on foot through Holyrood Park, or 15 minutes by bus (routes 30 and 33 from nearby stops). Taxis to the Royal Mile take under 10 minutes.
