Edinburgh: Real Mary Kings Close Guided Tour

The Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh offers a captivating glimpse into the city’s storied past. This guided tour leads visitors through a preserved 17th-century street, where knowledgeable characters share tales of former residents and the plague’s devastating impact. Though not recommended for the claustrophobic or mobility-impaired, those with a penchant for history and the macabre will find this underground adventure both intriguing and illuminating. What secrets lie buried beneath the cobblestones of this hidden gem?

Key Points

• A guided tour of the 17th-century Real Mary King’s Close, offering a glimpse into the city’s history and underground network.
• Knowledgeable characters share stories of former residents, the plague epidemic, and royal visitors during the immersive experience.
• Restrictions apply for young children, individuals with claustrophobia, and wheelchair users due to the tour’s nature.
• Sturdy footwear is recommended due to uneven surfaces and steep inclines within the preserved historic site.
• Highly rated tour experience with positive customer feedback, offering good value for money.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

Experience Edinburgh’s hidden history on a guided tour of the Real Mary King’s Close. Rated Scotland’s best heritage experience, this 1-hour tour lets you explore the only preserved 17th-century street, uncovering over 400 years of history.

Discover Edinburgh’s hidden past on a guided tour of the preserved 17th-century wonder, the Real Mary King’s Close.

You’ll hear stories of former residents, the plague epidemic, and royal visitors. The tour is led by knowledgeable characters, providing an immersive historical experience.

Not suitable for young children, the claustrophobic, or wheelchair users. Sturdy footwear is recommended due to uneven surfaces and steep inclines.

Check availability for starting times and reserve now with the option to pay later.

Booking Information

The tour is priced from $35.03 per person. Travelers can reserve the tour now and pay later. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Visitors should check the website for availability and starting times.

The tour experience includes entrance to the Real Mary King’s Close. However, the tour isn’t suitable for children under 5, individuals with claustrophobia, or wheelchair users.

Sturdy footwear is recommended due to uneven surfaces and steep inclines.

Tour Experience

Visitors on the Real Mary King’s Close tour are guided by knowledgeable characters, who provide an immersive historical experience.

The tour includes entrance to the preserved 17th-century street, allowing guests to uncover over 400 years of history.

Visitors can uncover over 400 years of history by entering the preserved 17th-century street on the Real Mary King’s Close tour.

Key highlights include:

1. Stories of former residents and how they lived.

2. Details about the plague epidemic that devastated the area.

3. Accounts of royal visitors who walked these same cobblestones.

4. Insights into the hidden underground network of tunnels and buildings.

However, the tour isn’t suitable for all, with restrictions on children under 5, those with claustrophobia, and wheelchair users.

Sturdy footwear is recommended due to the uneven surfaces and steep inclines.

Visitor Guidelines

Guests are required to meet at the tour’s starting point, located at 2 Warristons Close, Royal Mile, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PG. No pets, cameras, smoking, or unaccompanied minors are allowed on the tour. Visitors under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted to join. Many areas are dimly lit, so those with asthma should bring their medication. The tour is not suitable for children under 5, individuals with claustrophobia, or wheelchair users due to the uneven surfaces and steep inclines. Sturdy footwear is recommended.

| Permitted | Not Permitted | Recommended |

| — | — | — |

| – | Pets | Sturdy footwear |

| – | Cameras | Medication for asthma |

| – | Smoking | |

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Customer Feedback

How do visitors rate the overall Mary King’s Close tour experience?

The guided tour receives an impressive overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 2,883 reviews.

Visitors highlight several positives:

• Guides are praised as engaging and knowledgeable, providing an immersive historical experience (4.7/5 rating)

• The tour offers good value for money (4.4/5 rating)

• Many travelers recommend the experience to others

Some note the tour isn’t suitable for certain groups, like young children or those with claustrophobia.

Historical Significance of the Real Mary King’s Close

Though now a hidden gem in the heart of Edinburgh, the Real Mary King’s Close boasts over 400 years of rich history.

Once a thriving 17th-century street, the close was home to a diverse community, from merchants to plague victims. Visitors can explore the well-preserved underground alleyways, learning about the former residents’ lives and the devastating impact of the plague epidemic.

The close also hosted royal visitors, including Mary, Queen of Scots, whose rumored presence adds to the site’s captivating historical charm.

This unique underground experience offers a rare glimpse into Edinburgh’s storied past.

Unique Architectural Features

As visitors descend into the Real Mary King’s Close, they’re struck by the unique architectural features that have been meticulously preserved over the centuries.

The narrow, winding passageways and tightly-packed buildings create an immersive, time-traveling experience.

The narrow, winding passageways and tightly-packed buildings create an immersive, time-traveling experience for visitors to the Real Mary King’s Close.

Key architectural elements include:

1. Remnants of original 17th-century stone walls and wooden beams.

2. Tiny, irregularly-shaped rooms and apartments that housed entire families.

3. A network of underground tunnels and hidden chambers.

4. Steep, uneven stairways that once posed challenges for residents and visitors alike.

These distinctive architectural details transport guests back in time, offering a glimpse into Edinburgh’s past and the daily lives of those who once inhabited this historic close.

Exploring Edinburgh’s Hidden Gems

Beyond the bustling streets of Edinburgh’s city center lie hidden gems that offer a glimpse into the capital’s rich history and culture.

One such gem is the Real Mary King’s Close, a remarkably preserved 17th-century street that provides an immersive experience into the lives of former residents. Guided by knowledgeable characters, visitors can uncover over 400 years of history, from stories of plague epidemics to royal visitors.

With its steep inclines and dimly lit areas, the tour offers a unique and engaging exploration of Edinburgh’s hidden past, making it a must-visit for those seeking to delve deeper into the city’s captivating heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Is the Walk From the Meeting Point to the Entrance?

The meeting point and entrance are located in the same place, Warristons Close on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Visitors can simply walk directly to the entrance after arriving at the meeting point, as it is just a short distance away.

Are Photos Allowed Inside the Close?

Photos aren’t allowed inside the Close. The tour guidelines state that visitors can’t bring cameras on the tour. This is likely to preserve the historical experience and prevent disruptions to the small, dimly lit spaces.

Is There a Cafeteria or Dining Option at the Tour Site?

There is no cafeteria or dining option at the tour site. The tour experience focuses on exploring the historical close, and does not include any food or beverage services. Visitors should plan accordingly for their needs before or after the tour.

Can the Tour Be Customized for Special Needs or Larger Groups?

The tour can’t be customized for special needs or larger groups. It’s not suitable for children under 5, those with claustrophobia, or wheelchair users. Groups must check availability, and sturdy footwear’s recommended due to uneven surfaces and steep inclines.

Are There Any Age Restrictions or Health Requirements for the Tour?

The tour isn’t suitable for children under 5, those with claustrophobia, or wheelchair users. Sturdy footwear’s recommended due to uneven surfaces. Visitors under the influence won’t be permitted, and those with asthma should bring their medication.

The Sum Up

The Real Mary King’s Close Guided Tour offers a captivating glimpse into Edinburgh’s past. Visitors can explore the preserved 17th-century street, learn about its rich history, and encounter knowledgeable characters who bring the stories to life. While not suitable for those with mobility issues or claustrophobia, the tour provides a unique opportunity to discover Edinburgh’s hidden underground world and the city’s fascinating architectural and historical gems.

You can check availability for your dates here: