Name: The People's Story Museum
Rating: 5.0

The People's Story Museum

The Royal Mile, The People's Story Museum, 163 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

The People's Story Museum, located in the historic Canongate Tolbooth on the Royal Mile, offers a unique look at the lives, struggles, and culture of Edinburgh’s ordinary citizens from the 18th century to today. As one of the best things to do with kids in Edinburgh, this museum presents local history through the eyes of the people who lived it. It is an engaging, character-driven museum that helps children connect with the city's past through real-life narratives and domestic scenes.

Admission to the museum is completely free. This makes it an ideal option for families looking for an educational and budget-friendly day out in Scotland's capital.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, The People's Story Museum provides an authentic look at social history. From the realities of work and home life to the fight for reform, it offers a thought-provoking experience for all ages.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Social History Focus: Explore the real stories of working-class Edinburgh through the voices of the people who shaped the city.
Canongate Tolbooth Setting: Visit a 16th-century building that has served as a prison, courthouse, and council chambers, offering a fascinating historic atmosphere.
Interactive Displays: Experience life as it was in the past through meticulously recreated room settings and workplace environments.
Educational Day Out: Gain a deeper understanding of local heritage, including trade unions, housing reforms, and everyday city life.

What to See

The Prison Cells: Explore the original cells within the Tolbooth to understand the grim reality of 18th and 19th-century justice.
Recreated Kitchen Scenes: Walk through domestic settings that show how families lived and managed their daily chores in cramped living conditions.
The Print Shop: See the tools and machinery that were once central to the lives of local workers and political activists.
Reform Movement Displays: Learn about the public protests and campaigns that changed the city’s social laws.
The Laundry Scene: View a recreated 19th-century laundry room to contrast modern chores with the physically demanding labour of the past.

Facilities

Toilets: Accessible toilet facilities are available on-site.
Gift Shop: A small shop is available within the museum offering history-focused items.
Accessibility: The museum has ramp access, though the historic nature of the building means some areas have limited space.
Buggy Parking: Limited space is available; please speak with staff on arrival.

Pro-Tips for Families

Visit Timing: Weekday mornings are generally quieter and better for navigating the narrow spaces with school-aged children.
Dress Warmly: As a historic building, some areas can be draughty; layer up during cooler months.
Educational Value: The museum is most engaging for children aged 7 and older who are starting to learn about social history in school.

Targeted FAQs

Is it worth it for toddlers? The museum is best suited for older children (aged 7+), as the narrow, steep stairs and dense historical content may be less engaging for toddlers compared to other interactive museums.
How long does a visit take? Most visitors spend between one and two hours, which is the perfect amount of time to explore the historic room settings and displays at a relaxed pace.
Where is the best place to park? There is no on-site parking, but the St John’s Hill public car park is the closest and most convenient option for families visiting by car.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The museum is praised for its ability to tell history from the perspective of ordinary people, which children often find more relatable than grand historical accounts.
The historic setting of the Canongate Tolbooth provides an atmospheric and authentic backdrop that feels distinct from modern museums.
Staff are consistently described as helpful and knowledgeable, happy to provide context for the various artefacts.

What Visitors Don't Like

The building's layout, which includes narrow, steep stairs and uneven floors, can be challenging for those with limited mobility or very young children.
Some families find the exhibits to be quite dense with text, which requires patience for younger visitors to fully appreciate.

What to see

Detailed Inventory

The museum holds a specific collection focused on the lives of Edinburgh’s residents:
Tolbooth Bell: The historic bell used to signal events in the Canongate.
19th Century Mangle: An iconic piece of equipment from a domestic laundry setting.
Political Banners: Original fabric signs used in historical local protest marches.
Guild Trade Signs: Traditional signboards representing different workers' groups.
Early 20th Century Washboard: A simple but essential item for historical domestic life.
Recreated Cobbler’s Bench: Tools and materials showing a traditional craft.
Prisoner’s Ledger: Historical documentation of those held in the Tolbooth.
Domestic Clothing: Everyday items worn by workers and families.
Campaign Posters: Documentation of historical battles for better housing and rights.
Workplace Uniforms: Examples of professional attire from various trades.

Beyond the Main Attraction

The museum is centrally located on the Royal Mile, near several other family-friendly historic spots:
Museum of Edinburgh: Located just across the street, covering the broader history of the city.
Palace of Holyroodhouse: A short walk downhill to discover royal history.
Scottish Parliament: Visit the modern building to contrast with the historic surroundings.

New for 2026

Community-Led Exhibitions: The museum frequently collaborates with local groups to host displays that highlight specific aspects of Edinburgh’s working-class heritage and contemporary local issues.
Oral History Displays: New and recurring exhibits incorporate audio testimonies and personal stories, ensuring that the real voices of Edinburgh's residents remain the focus of the museum’s storytelling.
Rotating Social History Themes: Temporary displays often shift focus to explore different historical periods or themes, such as the evolution of trades, housing reforms, or historical protest movements.
Interactive Community Projects: The museum occasionally hosts inclusive projects and heritage workshops that invite visitors to contribute their own perspectives and memories to the city's living history.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

The People's Story Museum does not currently offer commercial birthday party packages. For private event or educational group inquiries, please contact the museum directly via their official email or phone number.

Opening Hours: The People's Story is free to visit and is open seven days a week from 10am - 5pm. Last entry is 4.30pm.

Address: The Royal Mile, The People's Story Museum, 163 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN, UK

Post Code: EH8 8BN

Council: Edinburgh

County: Edinburgh and Lothia

On foot: Walk down the Royal Mile towards Holyrood Palace. Pass New Street on your left and you’ll find The People’s Story on the left hand side of the road, opposite the Museum of Edinburgh. The clock overhanging the pavement above your head can be seen as you walk down the street.
By bike: From Princes Street area turn on to and cycle down Waverley Bridge and then left at the mini roundabout onto Market Street. Cycle along Market Street/East Market Street and turn right into New Street. From New Street turn left onto the Royal Mile and The People’s Story is on the left hand side of the road opposite the Museum of Edinburgh.
By train: Exit Waverley Station and turn left onto Waverley Bridge. Cross the roundabout and go up Cockburn Street. At the top of Cockburn Street, turn left, cross over North Bridge and continue down the High Street. The People's Story Museum is on the left hand side of road as you head towards Holyrood Palace, and is directly opposite the Museum of Edinburgh.
By bus/tram: The Lothian bus No. 35 stops by the Museum of Edinburgh (Heriot-Watt University-bound) and by The People's Story Museum (Ocean Terminal-bound). It is opposite The People's Story Museum. There are lots of buses going down North Bridge which cross the Royal Mile.
Parking: The People’s Story does not have its own parking facilities. You can find ‘Pay and display’ on-street parking nearby.