Summerhall
ENTRY
Free
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
A former veterinary college turned arts venue with contemporary art exhibitions, live events and workshops to wander round.
This is an arts complex rather than a soft play or a farm, so what you're actually doing here is walking round exhibitions of contemporary visual art, catching live events and performances, or joining in with workshops. It suits older kids who can handle a gallery pace rather than toddlers who need something to climb on.
Entry is free to get in, though specific events have their own ticket price. The Big Bike Film Night, for example, comes in at £17.50, which gives you a sense that the paid events aren't pocket money prices, so budget for the specific thing you're going to rather than assuming it's all free once you're through the door.
The building itself is the other thing worth knowing. It's a B-listed former veterinary college, over a hundred years old, and the venue is upfront that not all the spaces are fully accessible, which is worth bearing in mind if you've got a buggy or a wheelchair user with you. There's an accessible toilet on site at least.
There's no booking link listed, so it looks like you turn up rather than reserve ahead, though for a specific ticketed event you'd want to sort that separately.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Suits older kids and teens more than toddlers, given the gallery format
- General entry is free but individual events are ticketed separately, so check the price for whatever's on
- It's an old B-listed building, so not every part of the venue is step-free or fully accessible
- There's an accessible toilet on site
Plan your visit
Is it free to get in?
Yes, general entry is free. Specific events like the Big Bike Film Night are ticketed on top, that one's £17.50.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link listed for general visits, so it looks like you can just turn up for the exhibitions and wander round.
Is it OK for a toddler?
There's no age guide given, and this is more of a gallery and live events venue than a hands-on kids' space, so it probably suits older children better than toddlers.
Is the building accessible?
There's an accessible toilet, but the venue itself says it's a B-listed building over a hundred years old and not every space is fully accessible.
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