City Guide – Trinity
As period property estate agents in Trinity in Edinburgh, we invite you to travel in time with us. For a moment, put yourself in the position of a well-off Edinburgh resident of the late 18th and 19th centuries: at this point, you have established a sizable residence for yourself and your family in the New Town. Your home is ideal as a base for your business, but it lacks the calm, spacious atmosphere of a country retreat. Where would you go?
At the time, many New Town residents turned north, toward the Firth of Forth. As the 19th century progressed, they started developing a mansion house district north of the New Town and the Botanic Gardens and west of the city’s harbour district, Leith. Whilst some of the villas and sizable homes here were developed as main family homes, many were really intended to be second homes of the New Town gentry.
Trinity takes its name from Trinity House, a building in nearby Leith that is not only steeped in history, Trinity House also encompassed a large farm in this area, known as Trinity Mains. Its crest of arms is still preserved on a modern housing development on Newhaven Main Street.
As with most places in the area, settlement started long before the Georgian and Victorian eras. On Wardie House Lane, you can still see remnants of the northeast wing of the 15th-century Wardie Castle. Granted, it was rebuilt in the 18th century, but it bears witness to the area’s rich history nonetheless.
What Type of Properties Can You Find Here?
Trinity went through a major period of development in the 19th century and that is reflected in today’s period properties in the area. Georgian and Victorian mansions, period villas, as well as traditional tenement buildings can all be found in the streets and crescents between Victoria Park in the east and Wardie Recreation Ground in the west. Some of the tenement buildings in this area are renowned for their grand exteriors paired with spacious interiors.
You also find modern conversions of grand Victorian sandstone buildings. These are ideal for couples or smaller families looking to soak up the atmosphere of a period property without wanting to commit to a large mansion house.
Whilst many streets in the area reflect different periods of property development, Trinity retains a range of Victorian terraces that are among the most sought-after period properties in the area. Expect to find ornate cornicing and bay windows flooding your property with light. This is a great area for anyone looking for a period property that is a little further removed from the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s city centre whilst still being within easy commuting distance.
What are the Local Amenities Like?
Trinity is home to one of the older state schools in the city, Trinity Academy. The school was built in 894 but has since had modern buildings and facilities added. The school caters for nearly 1,000 pupils at the moment. Apart from being a leading mainstream state school in the area, Trinity Academy also welcomes young people with autism, learning disabilities, and other complex needs.
Green spaces like Victoria Park, Lomond Park, and Wardie Recreational Grounds are among the main reasons this area has grown in popularity. Trinity is also an excellent option for boating aficionados, with Granton Harbour and Forth Corinthian Yacht Club only a stone’s throw away. Trinity Path offers excellent cycling from the waterside all the way to the New Town. It’s a favourite with dog owners, too. Lomond Park is home to a tennis and a bowling club.
Whilst most of Trinity’s streets and crescents are largely residential, there are supermarkets and corner stores in the area. Plus, once you get closer to the water, there are several excellent pubs and cafes vying for customers’ attention.
What About Transport and Accessibility?
Like most of historic Edinburgh, Trinity was not built for cars. However, being located slightly further away from the city centre, parking is easier to come by. Cyclists will love the Trinity Road Path and the Ferry Road Path, and commuting into the city centre by bicycle is easy.
Trinity is also extremely well connected by several Lothian Buses services, giving those working in the city plenty of options for travel.
Our Favourite Street
If you love tree-lined streets and green spaces, Trinity is well worth putting on your list of potential period home districts. Our favourite street is East Trinity Road because it has a bit of everything. Traditional Victorian mansions stand here alongside period terraces and tenement buildings.
There are more modern developments, too, but much of the area retains a 19th-century period feel that we believe will appeal to families, couples, and individual period property lovers alike.
