Hostels are a lifesaver for travellers on a budget.
While they may not be everyone's idea of a dream trip away, the reduced price can extend a trip into months rather than weeks and they're great for meeting like-minded travellers and making memories. And with the cost of living increasing, they could be just what you need if you're looking to cut costs on your staycation this year.
The UK's biggest hostel operator, YHA, has just fully reopened its network of hostels after receiving the largest single grant of the round - almost £1m - from the Goverment's Culture Recovery Fund. With hostels in Northumberland National Park, the centre of Newcastle and some off the beaten track locations that are great for exploring the North Pennines, it means those heading for the North East have a lot to choose from.
Read more: From hostels to castles: Where to stay near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland
YHA was one of 925 arts, heritage and cultural organisations to get a share of the funding, and it's hoped that it can plug a drop in income that the charity suffered during the pandemic. It expects its capacity to increase by 10% with the network fully open for the first time in more than two years.
James Blake, Chief Executive of YHA, said: "The forced closure of rooms, social spaces and communal kitchens at the height of the pandemic meant, for the first time in YHA’s history we were encouraging people not to be social. The recent grant funding will enable us, once again, to fully return to our original purpose of providing affordable places to stay to connect with people, the outdoors and heritage."
Now that the network is open again, here are all of the YHA hostels in the North East you can book from as little as £10 a night in a shared room.
YHA Newcastle Central
17 Carliol Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6UQ
A cheap option in Newcastle City Centre, YHA is in Carliol Square, around five minutes from Monument and Eldon Square. There's an onsite café, breakfast and a cycle store, as well as limited parking.
YHA Alnwick
34 - 38 Green Batt, Alnwick, NE66 1TU
Located in the former Victorian Court House of the Northumberland market town, YHA Alnwick is good for visitors who want to explore Alnwick Castle and its Garden on a budget. It was opened by the Queen in 2011 and is also well positioned for visiting villages on the Northumberland Coast AONB by car such as Bamburgh and Alnmouth. Take the Northumberland Coastal Route which is less than a mile from the town centre.
YHA The Sill at Hadrian's Wall
Military Road, Once Brewed, Bardon Mill, NE47 7AN
This YHA in Northumberland National Park is less than five minutes walk from arguably the most recognisable section of Hadrian's Wall. Next to Steel Rigg car park, you can get up and photograph the famous Sycamore Gap without crowds before heading back for breakfast. It's right next to the Twice Brewed Inn, a popular pub with its own adjoining brewery and inside the Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, which has exhibitions about the history of the national park.
YHA Ninebanks
Orchard House, Mohope, Ninebanks, Hexham, NE47 8DQ
One of the most remote hostels in Northumberland, YHA Ninebanks is in the valley of Mohope Burn. Though it is listed as being in Hexham, it's around half an hour's drive by car. Though you could stay here and travel into the happiest place to live in the UK, it's more often used as a base for exploring the North Pennines AONB.
YHA Langdon Beck
B6277, Forest-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle, DL12 0XN
Another hostel from which you can explore the North Pennines, Langdon Beck is further south than Ninebanks in Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham. This small hostel stands at 385m above sea level and is quarter of a mile from the halfway point of the Pennine Way. As well as welcoming cyclists and walkers on the trail, it's a good base for visiting High Force Waterfall and Barnard Castle.
YHA Edmundbyers
Low House, B6278, Edmundbyers, Consett, DH8 9NL
A third hostel in the North Pennines AONB, YHA Edmundbyers near Consett has a cosy open fire and wooden beams, in what was formerly a 17th century inn. During the high season, there are also eight camping pitches in the walled garden, giving spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
YHA Alston
The Firs, Alston, CA9 3RW
Sharing the title of the highest market town in England with Buxton, YHA Alston is actually in Cumbria, just over the border from Northumberland. Walkers tackling the Pennine Way or cyclists on the Coast to Coast route should look out for red squirrels as they rest, with them often being seen from the hostel's dining room window.
YHA Berwick
Dewar's Lane, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1HJ
Located on the Quayside by the River Tweed, this large hostel is well placed for visiting the northerly points on the Northumberland Coast AONB, runs from Berwick down to Amble in the south. Berwick is also a good base for day trips, with Newcastle and Edinburgh less than an hour by train from both cities.
YHA Wooler
30 Cheviot Street, Wooler, NE71 6LW
Wooler is known as the gateway to the Cheviot Hills and the north east end of Northumberland National Park. Popular among walkers and cyclists, the town is set to get a new visitor centre this year which is expected to boost tourism in the town. As well as dorms, privates and camping, this hostel has shepherd's huts made by local craftsmen.
For more information on YHA and its hostels in Northumberland, including prices, visit the website.
