Cocktails & Catch-Ups in Stockbridge
A slow Saturday in Edinburgh, filled with charity shops, cocktails, and a much-needed catch-up.
Sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery and a long overdue life debrief.
Last weekend, I decided to spend a much-needed day in Edinburgh with my lovely, long-time friend, Jen. The itinerary was to die for: head to Stockbridge, mill through the charity shops, and find a nice spot for lunch. From cosy cafes to vintage finds, here is a little look into our sunny Saturday.
From Newcastle to Edinburgh
There is nothing more calming than a quiet train journey. I sat with a book in hand, sipping on a well-needed iced coffee, watching the beautiful ocean views and rolling hills pass by. To make things even better, the sun decided to peek out from behind the clouds and cast a morning golden glow. He even stayed around for most of the day, which was very warmly welcomed.
The backdrop soon changed from the lush countryside to the grand stone architecture of Edinburgh. I absolutely love this city, dotted with its cobbled streets, historic buildings, and beautiful, sweeping views. I always feel so lucky that it's just a short train ride away from Newcastle.
I read ‘The Guest List’ by Lucy Foley, and I couldn’t put it down. (This is an easy read for anyone who loves a whodunnit thriller).
Cobbled streets & charity boutiques in Stockbridge
As soon as I arrived, we took the lovely walk from the city centre to Stockbridge, one of Edinburgh’s most popular neighbourhoods. The streets here instantly feel a world away from the hustle of Princes Street, lined with gorgeous independent storefronts and charming cobbled lanes.
The area has a quaint, cottage-core vibe to it, and Circus Lane is a perfect example of this. We took a detour through this famous residential street with pretty, flower-covered terraced mews houses, which feels like stepping straight into a postcard. As you can see, there’s a reason it remains one of the most photographed places in Edinburgh.
Circus Lane: Edinburgh’s famous picture-perfect street.
The street is lined with beautiful, flower-covered terraced mews houses.
After wandering through gorgeous lanes and sipping on iced strawberry matcha, it was time for the main event: the charity shops. Stockbridge is known for its wide selection of high-end charity shops, and we spent a good hour or two weaving in and out of the boutiques that line Raeburn Place.
We rummaged through rails at places like the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK, and we couldn't resist a browse through a few of the secondhand bookshops – they are an absolute must for finding great value reads. If you're a fellow reader, you should definitely check out Jen’s book page here – she shares the best reviews and recommendations!
A gorgeous storefront we passed by.
Stockbridge has a huge variety of charity shops to find hidden treasures.
Nearby, we also visited Grow Urban, a gorgeous little plant shop and cafe, that is perfect if you love greenery and a good coffee. From tiny succulents to towering house plants, the space is filled with beautifully styled foliage and offers the cutest little nooks to sit back with a brew and watch the world go by.
Grow Urban had a wonderful array of indoor plants and greenery.
The cosiest little nook to enjoy a cup of coffee.
The Neighbourgood Market
Given our luck with the weather, it felt only right to make the most of the sunshine. For lunch, we headed around the corner to The Neighbourgood Market, an open-air food and drink spot that pops up in Stockbridge for the summer months.
After passing through the entrance archway of cascading bouquets and butterfly wings, you are welcomed by an array of street food vendors and cocktail bars. From loaded flatbreads to steamed dumplings, there is certainly no shortage of incredible flavours to choose from.
To satisfy our appetite, we went for the steak fries drizzled in chimichurri sauce, paired with a couple of cocktails from the Edinburgh Gin van (when in Rome, right?). We timed it perfectly, finding a seat just as the sun began to beam down in all its glory. It felt like our very first taste of summer, sitting there in the warmth, sipping our drinks, and listening to the hum of live music. A lovely highlight to a perfect afternoon.
The Neighbourgood Market.
Enjoying the sun while we could.
Our lunch: steak fries and chimichurri sauce.
A lovely end to a wholesome day.
After a stroll back to the city centre (and, of course, a visit to Bershka), my short but sweet visit to Edinburgh had come to an end. Before I knew it, I was settled into my seat on the train, watching the city blur past the window with an array of M&S snacks to fuel the journey home.
I couldn't help but think how a quick change of scenery, a bit of sunshine, and a total life debrief with a best friend is sometimes all it takes to completely reset. As it turns out, Stockbridge is the ideal place for it.
