An arty outing to Jupiter Artland

Join us for an arty day out to Jupiter Artland before the season closes for the year.

https://www.jupiterartland.org/

We will head out on shared paths, canal towpaths and minor roads to reach Jupiter.
Home via Bonnington Village, Ratho, Gogarburn and Hermiston Gait.

Leaving Balgreen tram stop we head out towards Edinburgh Park, up Cultins Road to reach the Union Canal towpath. We will take a short break and stop for a picnic ‘brunch’ (bring your own) before reaching Jupiter Artland. The nearest spot is the Calderwood Community Cafe which has coffee/snacks and outdoor picnic tables. Or we can take a little detour and picnic in the country park.

The entry fee to Jupiter is £11 (£10 concessions) and there is a 20% discount if you arrive by bike! There are a few bike racks in the disabled car park where we can lock and leave our bikes. Bring money for entry and a bike lock.

There is lots to see at Jupiter. There are extensive outdoor sculpture trails as well as indoor exhibitions. We will probably want to spend 2 - 3 hours here to make the most of our entry fee. The visitor centre has information, a shop, cafe and loos.

The cafe was quite busy when we went although service was efficient. The menu was lunch rather than snacks and cakes. Coffee/tea was good. Jupiter don’t allow you to picnic in the grounds, hence our wee detour on the way for a BYO picnic before we arrive. Having said all that, Jupiter is well worth a visit!!

We head homeward on roads through Bonnington Village, Ratho and Gogarburn to Edinburgh Park, retracing our way from there along the tram path to return to Balgreen.

We have allowed 6 hours for this trip as it really is a day out. Timings will be approximate depending on how much time we want to spend looking at the artworks.

You will need card/cash for entry to the attraction and for the cafe/shop if you wish to purchase anything there. Bring a bike lock as we will need to leave our bikes at the racks in the disabled car park. Helmets are strongly advised. A spare inner tube, pump and tools for your bike are also advisable in case of puncture and/or a means of getting home with your bike should you need to (taxi/friend etc).

We will be cycling mainly on paths, towpaths and quiet roads with a few short sections on busier roads as we enter and leave Jupiter. There are hills to negotiate but nothing too challenging. The terrain is mostly tarmac, with a few short stretches on gravel. There is a short downhill gravel path as we leave the canal where we will dismount and walk with our bikes. There are a couple of cattle grids as we enter the Jupiter grounds. Canal towpaths are lumpy in places with raised tree roots and cobbles under some of the bridges. You will need to be confident riding these narrower paths and also the busier roads.

A steady ride out to Jupiter Artland near Wilkieston with a loop through Almondell Country Park

Cycle paths, shared paths, canal towpaths, quiet roads with some short sections on busier roads

We will stop periodically on our way to catch our breath and to enjoy the views. Bring your own picnic/refreshments for a refuelling stop before we reach our destination. We will spend 2 - 3 hours at Jupiter Artland

Bring food/snacks and water. Card/cash for entry to Jupiter Artland and if you want to purchase anything at the shop and/or cafe

We never leave anyone behind