🇬🇧 South Queensferry, United Kingdom
The Queens
📍 8, The Loan, South Queensferry, EH30 9NS
Your stay — The Queens
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The Property — The Queens
The Queens is a former coaching inn on South Queensferry’s High Street, with a dark-wood bar and views of the Forth bridges from some rooms. It feels like a pub with bedrooms: honest, a bit worn, but friendly, and popular with walkers and budget travellers who want the bridge panorama without the price tag. Standing in the lobby you smell beer and floor polish; the staff greet you by name by your second pint.
Chronicles of South Queensferry
South Queensferry grew up around a ferry crossing that served pilgrims to St Andrews since the 11th century. Its High Street is lined with 17th- and 18th-century merchants’ houses and pubs, many built when the town was a busy port. The Forth Bridge, opened in 1890, turned it from a ferry stop into an engineering tourist draw – its cantilever design is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today the town feels squeezed between the three bridges (Rail, Road, and the Queensferry Crossing) and Edinburgh’s urban sprawl, yet it keeps a distinct, salty identity as a gateway to Fife.
Best Time to Visit
Full South Queensferry guide →Best months
May and September: mild temperatures (12–18°C), long daylight, and the crowds from the summer festivals haven’t peaked yet. June can be good too, though it’s often rainier.
Peak / festival surge
August: the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Military Tattoo flood the area. Hotel prices across the Lothians double or triple; book The Queens by February if you want a room. The town also hosts its own Ferry Fair in early August.
Budget shoulder season
April and late September/early October: still decent weather (10–16°C), but prices drop by 30‑40% and the streets are quiet. You can get a bridge-view room without fighting for it.
Weather & packing
South Queensferry is often a degree colder and windier than Edinburgh city centre, thanks to the Firth of Forth. Pack a waterproof jacket and a windproof layer – even in late June a sudden haar (sea fog) can drop the temperature by 10°C in minutes.
Live City Briefing — South Queensferry
- The Queensferry Crossing (the newest road bridge) now has a cycle path open to pedestrians, making it easier to walk or cycle between the town and North Queensferry.
- A new ‘Forth Bridges’ viewpoint and small visitor centre opened on the Hawes Pier in summer 2025, with interpretive panels and a café – worth a stop before or after the Forth Bridge boat tour.
- The town’s main car park at the Hawes has been resurfaced and now includes EV charging points, though spaces remain tight during summer weekends.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Queens, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a first-floor room at the front (facing The Loan). You get decent daylight without ground-floor foot traffic, and you're above street-level noise but not under the second-floor rafters where the lift motor hums. The lift stops here, so luggage is easy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms at the back overlooking the small delivery alley or adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor—both pick up service noise early (around 7am) and the lift clunks when in use. Ground-floor rooms near the front door can also get lobby chatter and the portable ramp being shuffled.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on first or second floor look over The Loan and across the Firth of Forth towards the Forth Bridges. You'll see the rail bridge lit at night—ask for a 'front' room when booking.
Quietest floors
First floor is the quietest: above street hubbub, below lift motor vibration, and farthest from the basement kitchen exhaust fan which vents at the rear ground level.
🔊 Noise notes
The Loan is a narrow one-way street used by delivery lorries for pubs and shops in South Queensferry. Early morning bin collection (around 6am) and post-11pm taxis dropping off at the nearby pubs can be audible from front rooms. The lift is old and groany when called from ground to second floor.
Insider tips
1) Park at South Queensferry Car Park (High Street) for £6/day and walk 3 minutes—don't risk parking on The Loan, which has double yellows and strict enforcement. 2) If you need the adapted ground-floor room, request it at booking and confirm 48 hours before arrival; the ramp must be set up in advance as it's kept in a locked cupboard.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Queens
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 30 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up. No login portal — just connect to 'The Queens Guest' and accept terms.
One small lift serves all three floors (ground, first, second). No stairs-only sections; lift is narrow but functional for standard suitcases.
Complimentary digital PressReader access via hotel iPad in lobby. No physical newspapers delivered. Building is a converted 17th-century townhouse with original stone staircase and fireplace in bar.
Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop allowed from 12:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs £20, subject to availability.
Free luggage storage behind reception desk during your stay or for up to 2 hours after check-out; longer storage on request at no charge.
Step-free access via portable ramp at front door (request in advance). Two adapted ground-floor rooms have wider doors and roll-in shower. No lift to basement restaurant; stairs only. Limited wheelchair turning space in corridors.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is South Queensferry Car Park (off High Street), 0.2 mi, £6 per 24 hours. No EV charging on premises; public charger at Ferry Glen car park (0.4 mi, 50 kW CCS).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; £50 hold on card at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Margaret's RC Church (204 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Queensferry Parish Church (217 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Vat Run — 445 m · ~6 min walk
Queensferry Museum — 314 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 102 m · ~1 min walk
Queensferry Pharmacy — 83 m · ~1 min walk
Town Cryer — 247 m · ~3 min walk
Hawes Pier — 949 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Edinburgh Airport or tourist spots — poor rates and fees.
Contactless cards and mobile pay widely accepted everywhere, including small shops and cafes; cash rarely needed.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 10% at restaurants if service charge not included, tip hotel staff £1-2 for help.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A filter coffee from a bakery or cafe: about £2.50-3.
A sandwich or soup from a supermarket cafe: £4-6.
A pub main like fish and chips: £12-16.
No dedicated street food area; grab a pasty or pie from a bakery instead.
Tesco, Co-op, and Lidl are common in South Queensferry.
No high street here; head to Ocean Terminal or Edinburgh city centre for Primark, M&S, etc.
Bus day pass within Edinburgh: £5 (Lothian Buses); from airport take the Airlink bus (£7.50) or a tram (£7) to city centre.
Book train tickets in advance for cheaper fares; buy supermarket lunch instead of pub lunch; walk the Forth bridges for free instead of paid attractions.
Good to know — South Queensferry
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
South QueensferryFor non-emergencies, call 101 (police) or 111 (NHS medical advice). Local South Queensferry police station at 4 The Loan, EH30 9SD, open limited hours; nearest hospital is St John's in Livingston (01506 523000).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in South Queensferry, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Queens
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 102 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Queensferry Pharmacy — 83 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street) → Premier Inn South Queensferry
💡 Sit on the left side for views of the Forth Bridge as you cross. The 43 stops directly outside the Premier Inn. Tap your contactless card – no need for a ticket. Avoid in rush hour (8–9 am, 5–6 pm) as it crawls through Dalmeny village.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) → Premier Inn South Queensferry
💡 Pre-book with Blacklane or City Cabs for a set fare; unranked taxis can surge after late flights. The Premier Inn is on the main road into town, so drivers know it.
Edinburgh Waverley → Dalmeny station
💡 From Dalmeny, it's a 15-minute uphill walk or a 5-minute taxi (£6) to the Premier Inn. Skip the bus if you're coming from central Edinburgh – the train is faster and goes over the famous Forth Bridge.
Edinburgh Airport (stop G) → Queensferry Road (stop near Premier Inn)
💡 Get the Ridacard app for contactless tap-on; cash costs more. The 747 runs express via the Forth Road Bridge – aim for the 'South Queensferry' stop, not 'Newhalls Road', or you'll walk extra.
About South Queensferry
Wikipedia ↗
South Queensferry, also known simply as Queensferry or The Ferry, is a town to the west of Edinburgh, Scotland. Traditionally a royal burgh of West Lothian, it is now administered by the City of Edinburgh Council. It lies ten miles to the north-west of Edinburgh city centre, on the southern shore of...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Queens?
Request a first-floor room at the front (facing The Loan). You get decent daylight without ground-floor foot traffic, and you're above street-level noise but not under the second-floor rafters where the lift motor hums. The lift stops here, so luggage is easy.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Queens?
Avoid rooms at the back overlooking the small delivery alley or adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor—both pick up service noise early (around 7am) and the lift clunks when in use. Ground-floor rooms near the front door can also get lobby chatter and the portable ramp being shuffled.
Is The Queens noisy?
The Loan is a narrow one-way street used by delivery lorries for pubs and shops in South Queensferry. Early morning bin collection (around 6am) and post-11pm taxis dropping off at the nearby pubs can be audible from front rooms. The lift is old and groany when called from ground to second floor.
Which rooms have the best views at The Queens?
Front-facing rooms on first or second floor look over The Loan and across the Firth of Forth towards the Forth Bridges. You'll see the rail bridge lit at night—ask for a 'front' room when booking.
What are insider tips for staying at The Queens?
1) Park at South Queensferry Car Park (High Street) for £6/day and walk 3 minutes—don't risk parking on The Loan, which has double yellows and strict enforcement. 2) If you need the adapted ground-floor room, request it at booking and confirm 48 hours before arrival; the ramp must be set up in advance as it's kept in a locked cupboard.
What time is check-in at The Queens?
Check-in at The Queens is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Queens have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; typical speed 30 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up. No login portal — just connect to 'The Queens Guest' and accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Queens?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Queens?
A sandwich or soup from a supermarket cafe: £4-6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Queens?
Bus day pass within Edinburgh: £5 (Lothian Buses); from airport take the Airlink bus (£7.50) or a tram (£7) to city centre.
When is the best time to visit South Queensferry?
May and September: mild temperatures (12–18°C), long daylight, and the crowds from the summer festivals haven’t peaked yet. June can be good too, though it’s often rainier.
Top Attractions in South Queensferry
💡 Check the tide tables. At low spring tides, you can walk out on the exposed bedrock to the old pier remains.
💡 Start at the Hawes Inn car park and walk east. Go at low tide to see the bridge piers up close.
💡 Bring binoculars. From here, you can spot seals on the islands on clear days.
💡 Come at sunset. The light on the bridges from this angle is better than the more popular spots.
💡 Park at the small layby on the B800. The circular walk takes about 40 minutes and is mostly flat.