48 hours in Edinburgh during the Fringe! Our director's 2019 picks of places to go, things to do and see

The Lady Boys of Bangkok is back at the Edinburgh Fringe for the show's 21st year! 
So by now, we like to think the Gandey World Class Productions team knows all the best places to visit. In this week's blog, our director Carol Gandey picks some of her favourite things from visiting the Fringe in 2019...


The Royal Mile, EH1 1SG

The most famous stretch of Edinburgh, and it's most certainly alive and at its best during the Fringe!


So many shows to choose from... but obviously The Lady Boys of Bangkok is our favourite! This year Carol's top picks included Assembly Festival's contemporary physical theatre shows My Land and Blizzard


The Edinburgh Fringe Shop and Box Office, 180 High Street, EH1 1QS

The Edinburgh Fringe Shop is home to all sorts of weird and wonderful merchandise. Shout out to the hard-working, supportive staff at the Fringe Box Office as well, who are doing an amazing job selling tickets for The Lady Boys of Bangkok. 


We Love Scotland, 20 Bank Street, EH1 2LN

We LOVE Scotland too! Sure, it's a bit cheesy, but buying something, anything printed in tartan... it has to be done on a visit to Scotland's capital! Did you know The Lady Boys of Bangkok even has its own officially registered tartan


Museum Context, 40 Victoria Street, EH1 2JW

This gift shop is paradise for lovers of Harry Potter. And where better to have a shop dedicated to witchcraft and wizardry, after all, JK Rowling famously wrote much of the first book inside the cafes and coffee shops of Edinburgh. 


The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Co, 57 Cockburn Street, EH1 1BS

 We buy our skincare and soaps from this beautiful shop whenever we visit Edinburgh, but you can also buy their products online


The Tattoo Office, 1-3 Cockburn Street, EH1 1QB

Still going strong since the very first Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 1950, this spectacle celebrating the army's contribution to the Edinburgh International Festival, set at the Edinburgh Castle, is not to be missed - and you can get your tickets at the office on Cockburn Street. 


Spotted in Edinburgh: Haggis everywhere. There's even a Haggis Bible. We're intrigued...


You can get pretty much anywhere you want to go in Edinburgh via the trams - and check out the views of the gorgeous countryside while you're at it. 


Summers like these were made for sunny picnics on St Andrew Square. People watching outside Selfridges, Louis Vuitton and Burberry is one of our favourite afternoon pastimes. 


Brilliant Wullie, George Street, near to the Hard Rock Cafe

Chances are you'll spot quite a few of these around Edinburgh. This little lad is Oor Wullie, a Scottish institution from the fictional town of Auchenshoogle, who appeared in the Sunday Post for 80 years, and these statues are part of the BIG Bucket Trail, on the streets of Scotland's cities now until 30 August 2019. There's all sorts of themed Wullies to spot. Our favourite is probably Wullie's Rainbow



Hendersons Shop & Deli, 67 Holyrood Road, EH8 8AU

Hendersons vegetarian deli and shop has been going since 1962 and is still one of our favourite foodie places in Edinburgh...



Hendersons Vegan Restaurant, 25 Thistle Street, EH2 1DX

Now they even have a restaurant which exclusively serves vegan dishes!



Theatre Big Top, Venue 189, Fountainbridge, EH3 9RX

The Edinburgh site for The Lady Boys of Bangkok this year, at Fountainbridge. We love being here!



Lochrin Basin, Fountainbridge, EH3 9QG

...I mean just look at how peaceful and lovely it is around the Lochrin Basin, right on the doorstep of the Theatre Big Top. The perfect place for an early morning jog!



Edinburgh Printmakers, Castle Mills, 1 Dundee Street, EH3 9FP

This open access printmaking studio has fascinating exhibitions to dip into and an amazing cafe and herb garden to boot.



Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End, 166 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9RX

Just across the road from our venue at Fountainbridge is the perfect place to lay your head after a busy day at the Fringe (and a night dancing with The Lady Boys of Bangkok!)



Hank's Sandwich Bar, 162 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9RX

Is this the best sandwich bar in Edinburgh? Probably! The perfect, filling way to fuel up.



Grow Urban, 92 Grove Street, EH3 8AP

Grow Urban is a rustic gardening shop and cafe combined. Set in a gorgeous gothic building it has everything you'd need for a spot of urban gardening and the dreamy cakes are something else - don't leave without one! You can read more about it in this article from Edinburgh Live

Brooks Hotel Edinburgh, 70-72 Grove Street, EH3 8AP
Just a short high-heeled strut away from our Theatre Big Top at Fountainbridge, you'll find the brilliant Brooks Hotel (and you'd definitely think it was more than a three star hotel from how luxurious it feels!) A real hidden gem that's as contemporary as it is comforting.
Loudons, 94B Fountainbridge, EH3 9QA
It's no surprise that there's often queues for this insanely aesthetically pleasing, understated brunch stop, stocked up with homemade treats, including gluten and dairy free options.
Fieldwork, 105 Fountainbridge, EH3 9QG
When Loudons is really busy, we sneak off to Fieldwork to tuck into one of their Scottish artisan coffees or organic hot chocolates. 
The Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA
Take a bike ride down to Usher Hall and see the Fringe's original big sister the Edinburgh International Festival in action. A highlight is definitely the production of Peter Gynt at the Festival Theatre on Nicholson Street, a collaboration with the National Theatre
What are your favourite places to go in Edinburgh? Let us know in the comments below... 

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