The Yard Edinburgh

The Yard Edinburgh, Eyre Place Lane, Edinburgh, UK
1-90 Years
Paid

Description

The Yard Edinburgh is a purpose-built, award-winning indoor and outdoor adventure play centre that stands out as one of the most vital things to do with kids in Edinburgh. Situated in Canonmills near George V Park, this wonderful sanctuary is run by a specialized Scottish charity to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for disabled children, young people, and their families. At the core of the venue is a commitment to child-led free play, allowing young people with additional support needs (ASN) to explore, build confidence, and take controlled risks without feeling different.

The pricing model is uniquely designed to provide immense relief and value for family budgets, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to play. For families with one or more disabled children, your very first visit to the centre is completely free of charge as a taster session. If your family loves the experience, you can join the regular membership program for just £8.00 per month. This single, affordable fee covers the entire household—including siblings with or without disabilities—and grants unlimited free entry to family sessions, holiday openings, and special events.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this inclusive centre beautifully combines physical outdoor thrills with calming sensory rooms. Rather than worrying about crowds or a lack of understanding, parents can completely relax while highly trained, passionate playworkers subtly guide the sessions. It acts as both a vibrant playground for little explorers and an emotional lifeline where mums, dads, and carers can enjoy a warm cuppa and connect with a supportive community.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: No

Features

Key Features

  • Child-Led Adventure Play: The facility actively promotes creative free play, utilizing an extensive library of open-ended materials and loose parts to let kids shape their own fun.
  • Immersive Sensory Rooms: Specialized indoor sensory rooms and calming soft play spaces are packed with high-comfort furnishings and soothing elements for children needing quiet downtime.
  • Comprehensive Family Support: Dedicated Family Workers provide free, expert on-site assistance, helping parents navigate Child Disability Payment forms, sleep habits, and local ASN support systems.
  • Inclusive Visual Adaptations: The property features highly accessible design elements, including high-contrast signage, secure gated perimeters, and staff fully trained in visual awareness and autism-friendly support.

Highlights

  • The Outdoor Adventure Playground: A large, fully secured outdoor space featuring exciting assault courses, large sandcastles, and expansive water play areas.
  • The Go-Kart Track: A brilliant, energetic track where children and teenagers can zoom around on specialist go-karts and balance bikes to burn off energy.
  • The Solar Dome: A truly unique, tranquil outdoor architectural space designed specifically for children and parents to unwind away from the main active play zones.
  • The Creative Art Room: An indoor hub bursting with arts, crafts, messy play materials, and pattern printing tasks to unleash your child's inner artist.
  • The Sensory Swings and Hammocks: Placed beautifully across the grounds, these therapeutic swings provide relaxing, soothing vestibular motion for children.
  • The Indoor Soft Play Hall: A vibrant, fully padded indoor playroom designed for safe climbing, rolling, and physical exploration whatever the Scottish weather.

Beyond the Main Attraction: The centre sits in the charming Canonmills district, right on the doorstep of George V Park, which offers lovely open green lawns for a stroll. A short walk leads families straight to the Water of Leith walkway or the sprawling Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The local neighborhood features exceptionally welcoming independent bakeries, cozy bistros, and accessible family-friendly cafes.

Facilities

  • Food and Drink: A dedicated kitchen and indoor seating area are available on-site, allowing families to prepare snacks or sit back with a refreshing cup of tea or coffee.
  • Toilets & Changing: Fully accessible, spacious toilets and wet floor level-entry changing facilities are provided, perfectly accommodating visitors with profound physical needs.
  • Step-Free Access & Parking: The property is exceptionally wheelchair-friendly, providing complete level-entry access or ramps across the entire building and gardens. A dedicated drop-off zone, disabled parking bays, and a small visitor car park are located directly out front.
  • Equipment Hire: Families are welcome to use specialized mobility equipment and sensory toys on-site under the friendly guidance of the play team.

What to see

What Visitors Love

  • Incredible value for money, with a single monthly fee covering the entire family, including siblings.
  • A rare, beautifully judgment-free zone where parents can exhale without worrying about public misunderstandings.
  • The phenomenal play staff who understand complex behaviors perfectly and know exactly when to step in or step back.
  • Outstanding accessible facilities, including secure gates, drop-off parking, and excellent changing areas.

What Visitors Don't Like

  • The venue is closed to the general public during the week to facilitate vital school sessions and specialized youth clubs.
  • Peak weekend afternoon drop-in slots can occasionally feel quite busy and high-energy for particularly sensitive children.
  • Drivers must strictly avoid parking on Eyre Place Lane itself to ensure emergency vehicles always have clear access.

FAQ

  • Is The Yard Edinburgh free for children?: Your family's very first visit to the centre is completely free as a taster session. After that, instead of paying per child, families pay a single subscription of £8.00 per month, which grants unlimited free access for parents, carers, and all siblings.
  • Who can use the play facilities at The Yard?: The Yard is designed specifically for children and young people aged 0 to 18 with a disability or additional support needs (ASN). The centre warmly welcomes the whole family, meaning brothers and sisters are strongly encouraged to join in the sessions too.
  • Does my child need an official diagnosis to visit?: No, an official medical diagnosis is not strictly required to access the play sessions, family events, or support networks. The charity supports any family navigating the challenges of raising a child with neurodivergence or additional support needs.
  • Is there parking available at the Edinburgh centre?: Yes, the centre features an on-site drop-off area, designated disabled parking spaces, and a small visitor car park. To keep the narrow access road safe for emergency services, visitors must never park directly on Eyre Place Lane.

Book your free family taster session online and experience the joy of inclusive adventure play at The Yard Edinburgh today!

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

  • First Time Visitors / Taster Session: Free of charge (Advance booking required)
  • Full Family Monthly Membership: £8.00 per month (Covers the disabled child, parents, carers, and all siblings)
  • Visiting Membership (Occasional Users): £20.00 for 5 family visits, or £30.00 for 10 family visits (Valid for one full year)
  • School Visits & Specialist Units: Tailored group booking rates apply (Accompanying school staff enter free)

Pricing URL: https://theyardscotland.org.uk/membership/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

  • Friday Family Drop-In Session: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
  • Saturday Quiet Family Session: 10:00am to 12:00pm (Pre-registration requested)
  • Saturday Standard Family Session: 12:00pm to 5:00pm
  • School Holiday Schedule: Open Monday to Saturday for family play sessions during City of Edinburgh Council school holidays
  • Weekday Schedule (Mon - Thu): Closed for public drop-ins; reserved strictly for Early Years groups, special school visits, and respite youth clubs.

Address: The Yard Edinburgh, Eyre Place Lane, Edinburgh, UK

Post Code: EH3 5EH

Council: Edinburgh

County: Edinburgh and Lothia

  • By Bus: Lothian Buses lines 8 and 36 stop directly at the Broughton Road end of Eyre Place. Additionally, bus lines 23 and 27 drop passengers off just a short walk away on Dundas Street.
  • By Train: Arrive at Edinburgh Waverley station in the city centre. From there, the centre is a quick 5-to-10-minute taxi ride or a straightforward connecting bus journey down into Canonmills.
  • By Car & Parking: Accessible directly via Eyre Place. The facility features an on-site drop-off zone, dedicated blue-badge disabled parking bays, and a small visitor parking lot. Visitors are strictly instructed not to park along Eyre Place Lane to ensure emergency vehicle access is never blocked.

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