Jupiter Artland Day Trip From Edinburgh 2025 Guide 

Looking for an artsy day trip from Edinburgh? I’ve lived in Scotland for nearly 5 years now and my passion for finding unique things to do has led me to some truly incredible places. Now I’ve discovered another amazing day trip you need to explore! Jupiter Artland is an award-winning contemporary sculpture garden located outside of Edinburgh. If you’re an art lover like me, Jupiter Artland is definitely worth visiting. Is a car-free Jupiter Artland Day trip from Edinburgh possible? How can you get a chance to splash around in the Jupiter Artland swimming pool you’ve seen all over social media? What other attractions are near Jupiter Artland? I’ve got the answers to all that and more in my complete guide to your day trip to Jupiter Artland. from Edinburgh.

Let’s Check it out…

About Jupiter Artland

Nestled in over 100 acres of pristine farmland, meadows, and wooded areas, Jupiter Artland was founded in 2009. Since then, Jupiter Artland has become home to over 30 permanent large-scale artworks plus a rotating collection of exhibitions. More than just a museum, Jupiter Artland is an interactive experience where you can get up close and personal with art in a stunning natural landscape. Jupiter Artland is an amazing day trip from Edinburgh. It’s a great place to visit whether you’re a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family. 

Where is Jupiter Artland?

Jupiter Artland is located in a small town outside of Edinburgh called Wilkeiston. This is a rural area surrounded by farmland. The nearest small town with amenities near Jupiter Artland is Kirkentown. It could be fun to add a stop in Kirkentown to your day trip to Jupiter Artland from Edinburgh. There are some restaurants and fun activities in Kirkentown that I’ll cover later in this post! There are also some cute B&Bs near Jupiter Artland, should you wish to extend your stay.

interactive map of your day trip to jupiter artland from Edinburgh

Directions To Jupiter Artland From Edinburgh

by car

You can drive to Jupiter Artland from Edinburgh using the B7015 motorway in about 30 minutes. Once you arrive at Jupiter Artland there’s plenty of on-site parking. 

Address:

Bonnington House Steadings, Wilkieston, Edinburgh EH27 8BY

Or view the exact location of the entrance here.

how to get to Jupiter Artland by bus

You can also take the bus to Jupiter Artland from central Edinburgh. From the bus stop located on Princes Street in front of Edinburgh Waverly Station, take the X27 Bus to Coxydene. The journey takes about 38 minutes and busses come about twice an hour. Take note of the bus schedule for your way back, sometimes on the weekend there are breaks in service during the day. 

Jupiter Artland Day Trip from Edinburgh Cost by Bus:

Round Trip Bust ticket from Princes St. to Coxydene:  A single ticket to zone C, Bathgate is 5 GBP, and a day ticket is 8.50 GBP. 

Top tip: The Coxydene bus stop is right by the entrance to Jupiter Artland. From there, you’ll walk up the long driveway into the park. You’ll be using the same entrance as the cars, so take care! There’s a small hut to your right where you can show your ticket and you’ll be handed a map to the property. 

Planning Your Visit to Jupiter Artland 

Jupiter Artland Ticket Prices: 

Adult tickets to Jupiter Artland: 11 GBP

Concessions tickets to Jupiter Artland: 10 GBP

Student Tickets to Jupiter Artland: 7 GBP

Child tickets to Jupiter Artland (4-16 years): 7 GBP

Protip: Jupiter Artland only sells 200 tickets per day. You should book your tickets ahead of time online. 

Jupiter Artland Opening Times: 10 am-4 pm

Times of Year: Jupiter Artland closes mid-October for a ‘winter rest’ but it re-opens for festive events on Halloween weekend and their Christmas Fair in mid-December. 

FAQ ABOUT JUPITER ARTLAND

Can you take a picnic to Jupiter Artland?

Picnics are not allowed at Jupiter Artland. They have a cafe and a food truck selling drinks and snacks. 

Is Jupiter Artland dog-friendly?

Sort of. To bring a dog to Jupiter Artland, you’ll have to purchase a dog membership for 25 GBP per year. 

Things to Know Before You Go To Jupiter Artland 

 

Dress For The Outdoors 

Jupiter Artland is located across 100 acres of a natural wooded environment. There will be uneven ground, rocks, and gentle slopes and you can even scramble up some of the artwork! Wearing walking shoes, dressing in layers, and packing sunscreen and a hat will help make your day trip to Jupiter Artland more enjoyable. 

Bring a Water Bottle

There is not a single water fountain on Jupiter Artland’s entire 100-acre premises. I visited on a very hot day and I had to ask the staff in the busy cafe to refill my water bottle for me. They were not amused. 

I don’t think it’s right to force people to pay for additional water. On a hot day, it’s also unsafe to offer limited access to water in a large outdoor park. To avoid dehydration on your day trip to Jupiter Artland, pack a water bottle and if it’s a hot day, bring a second water bottle for backup! 

Food Sensitivities? Pack Snacks

As I stated above, picnics are not allowed at Jupiter Artland. There is a beautiful, upscale cafe where you can have a sit-down meal. There’s also a food truck serving light bites like coffee and pastries. The problem? There were very few gluten and dairy-free options. If you have food sensitivities you’ll want a backup plan. To make the most of your Jupiter Artland day trip, pack some things you know you can eat, like trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, extra drinks, etc.

Toilets are Limited

There are about 4-5 porter loos located in a central area near the cafe. The loos don’t have sinks. If you’re somebody who will be uncomfortable without access to a nearby toilet facility when you’re exploring a 100-acre park, you should keep this in mind. 

Can you tell that the limited, expensive amenities were the most disappointing aspect of my day trip to Jupiter Artland? While I do think it’s shabby of them to effectively outlaw bringing in your own food and water and offer limited toilet facilities, I still enjoyed my day trip to Jupiter Artland. You will too if you factor these things into your journey. 

map of jupiter artland

This map will show you the basic layout of Jupiter Artland. For the most up-to-date information on exhibits, you should download the Jupiter Artland App!

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Main Artworks to See at Jupiter artland

The artworks are spread out over Jupiter Artland’s 100-acre campus. Although most are outdoors, there is a temporary indoor gallery space as well. Jupiter Artland hosts both a permanent and rotation collection so you’ll see a different array of works every time you visit. 

These installations are some of the highlights of my day trip to Jupiter Artland from Edinburgh. You may see different things when you visit.  

Cells Of Life

Cells of Life is likely the first artwork you’ll encounter as you walk up the driveway and onto the grounds of Jupiter Artland. Designed by artist Charles Jencks, the piece included eight emerald green grassy landforms and a series of pools. You can walk along the terraced mounds to admire the landscape from many different angles. 

Love Bomb 

Love Bomb by Marc Quinn is an ornate 12-meter-high statue of an orchid! With a backdrop of sweeping views of the Pentlands, this one is a must-see. 

Gateway

Gateway, by Joana Vasconcelos, is the piece that made me want to take a day trip to Jupiter Artland in the first place! Located in a garden just beyond Jupiter Artland’s Cafe area, this crystal clear pool decorated with colorful tiles is just as beautiful in person as it is in photos. 

So, can you swim in the Jupiter Artland Pool? Yes, if you book ahead!

Tickets to Jupiter Artland’s bathing sessions at Gateway Pool can be purchased in addition to admission to the park and cost 10 GBP per person. The tickets are timed so you get 15 minutes in Gateway’s Geodesic Changing dome, 30 minutes of splashing, and 15 minutes to change out of your swimming togs.

It should be noted that the Gateway Pool is truly a wading pool, it’s only shin-deep for most adults. A dip would make a fun family activity or photo op so could be a great addition to a Juipter Artland Day trip during the summertime. 

Mimi 

Mimi is a permanent outdoor installation by Scottish artist Rachel Maclean. Combining animation and architecture, Mimi appears as an abandoned high street shop amongst Jupiter Artland’s wooded landscape. But once you peek inside, you’ll discover Mimi is so much more! 

Weeping Girls

Truly creepy, Laura Ford’s Weeping Girls appears alongside the forest path. These lonesome, ghostly-looking figures conjure all sorts of story about who they are and where they came from. 

Landscape With Gun And Tree

Created by artist Cornelia Parker, Landscape With a Gun and a Tree is a ten-meter-high metal sculpture of a gun leaning up against a tree. Is it meant to invoke a conversation about firearms or is it simply inspired by another form of art? Regardless, this is a must-see on your day trip to Jupiter Artland from Edinburgh. 

The Rose Walk

Without a doubt, my favorite part of my visit to Jupiter Artland, The Rose Walk by Pablo Borenstein is like a fairy tale come to life. Two ornate wooded pavilions connected by a rose garden, this is a stunning place to take a stroll. 

Over Here

Over Here by Shane Walterner is a knitted web between two trees, inviting you to gaze out at the natural beauty of the meadows beyond. 

Signpost To Jupiter

Signpost to Jupiter by Peter Liversidge, is an enormous aluminum signpost, pointing upwards in the direction of the planet Jupiter, 893 million miles away.

Firmament

I found Firmanent by Antony Gormley totally mesmerizing! Constructed out of thousands of welded steel elements, this geometric sculpture appears to be something different from every angle you view it from. 

A Forest

Get lost in A Forest, a colorful series of tessellated mirrored panels by Jim Lambie. 

Quarry

Wandering in the forest, you might happen upon Quarry. These massive concrete and steel towers by Phyllida Barlow are truly awe-inspiring. 

Suck

Get curious about Suck by Anish Kapoor. Surrounded by lush vegetation, suck is a tall metal cage surrounding what seems to be a bottomless hole! 

Other Things to Do Near Jupiter Artland

The Military Museum of Scotland

Located about a 15-minute walk from Jupiter Artland in nearby Kirknewton, The Military Museum of Scotland is one of the largest collections of military equipment both past and present. They’ll even let you operate some of it! (while supervised, naturally!)

Legion Hall, Wilkieston, Kirknewton EH27 8DU

Potter Around

If you fancy yourself an artist, you may want to make a visit to Potter Around. Located in the nearby village of Kirknewtown, this ceramic painting studio offers creative time painting pottery or even throwing a pot! 

Potter Around 

Overton Farm, Kirknewton EH27 8DD

Mad Max Adventures

Ready for something completely different? How about quad bikes? Set in the beautiful parkland of Kirknewton Estate, Mad Max Adventures has purpose-built Archery and Clay Pigeon Shooting ranges, a specially designed Off-Road 4*4 course, and an extensive Quad Trail right on site.

Mad Max Adventures is an 8-minute car ride or 45-minute bus ride from Jupiter Artland 

Whitemoss Farm, Kirknewton EH27 8DA

places to stay near Jupiter Artland

The artist’s house at Jupiter artland

If you wish to extend your day trip from Edinburgh to Jupiter Artland, they have a beautiful hotel right on the premises! The Artist’s House at Jupiter Artland boasts stunning views of the gardens, sumptuously designed rooms, and a balcony. It’s even pet-friendly!

Whitecroft B&B

Looking for something a little simpler? Whitecroft B&B is about a ten-minute bus or car ride from Jupiter Arland and will offer you the complete quaint Scottish B&B experience. 

Hopefully, you’re as psyched as I was about your day trip to Jupiter Artland from Edinburgh! If you go, let me know what you get up to!

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