A cheery welcome in the Lakes, Cumbria
Four decades after my previous visit to Eskdale YHA (a scary night-time descent from Scafell), a nostalgic multi-day trek saw me back in one of Lakeland’s quieter hostels. The building’s exterior is unchanged, but, within, I found improved comfort levels and a cheery welcome from Rachel’s dedicated team. After a tasty pie and a decent pint, enjoyed among relaxed company of all generations, I stepped outside to gaze at the surrounding fells bathed in moonlight and wrapped in silence. There’s a bird hide in the grounds and red squirrels visit to feed. And, yes, I walked up Scafell from the hostel’s door. It’s £15 per night per adult in a shared dorm.
Paul Gamble
A family home from home in the Highlands
I didn’t know you could rent an entire hostel until seven years ago when my amazing cousin suggested it for our family of about 60 to host a get-together for my uncle’s birthday. Since then we’ve been back to Rowardennan Lodge on Loch Lomond every year. It’s become a home from home for us and it caters for the youngest (10 weeks old this year) to the oldest (95 years!). We enjoy walks around the area, a trip to the local pub, some wild swimming in the loch, lots of time to catch up and not forgetting the important family sing-a-long in the house complete with party pieces from the little ones. It’s brought so many happy memories for my family over the past seven years and hopefully lots more to come and I truly would recommend it to all!
Catriona Azhar
Stay in the village shop, Peak District
Youlgreave hostel in Derbyshire is a fantastic place for families. It’s based in the former village Co-op, with quirky features connected to its history. The rooms are named after the various departments – our favourite is Savings and Dividends. There’s an artisan bakery within the hostel, so you’re likely to wake up to the heavenly smell of fresh bread and pastries. The food on offer is out of this world, and there’s plenty of it. Packed lunches are available, there are books to read, the location is gorgeous and the village has a free plunge pool on the river.
Elizabeth
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Riverside bliss in the Wye valley
My favourite youth hostel is set in 10 hectares (25 acres) on the banks of the River Wye, close to Symonds Yat Rock. We camped by the river in this idyllic spot while kayaking and fell asleep to the night-time chatter of sheep on the other side. YHA Wye valley offers facilities including glamping and pods: I’ve stayed in the hostel with friends and in a private room with my partner, while exploring some of the miles of footpaths and trails. It’s the perfect place for all kinds of activity holidays and you always get a great welcome.
Susanna C
A haven for cyclists in the Surrey Hills
Set in the deeply rural Surrey Hills close to the North Downs Way, Puttenham Barn bunkhouse is itself a beauty. Rest up in the listed and eco-fitted building in simple dorm accommodation (for up to 11 people) after enjoying the stunning countryside. We cycled there on the Downs Link route from the south coast and were greeted by volunteer wardens with a pot of tea and cake in the gem of a wildflower garden. A good little pub is three minutes’ walk away. Cost per night about £25 per person with a discount for green travellers.
Hilary
Old-school hostelling in the Cambrian mountains
This summer my daughter and I backpacked between the Elenydd hostels (Ty’n Cornel and Dolgoch) in the Cambrian mountains. Both are gloriously remote and encourage guests to arrive on foot or bike. They’re old-school ex-YHA hostels, run by an army of volunteers. Our favourite was Dolgoch, a 10-mile walk from the nearest village, Tregaron. It has no mains electricity, TV, mobile reception or wifi. Despite, or because, of this, we spent a memorable evening playing games and swapping stories with the other hostellers. And, in true hostelling fashion, our roommate’s snores kept us awake most of the night.
Christine R
A pirate-themed coastal retreat, North Yorkshire
Boggle Hole YHA was an unexpected pleasure at the end of doing the Coast to Coast walk from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire. It’s located at the bottom of a steep, secluded wooded valley, right next to the sea. It’s well set up for families, but others are also welcome – my walking buddy and I enjoyed the lengths to which they have taken the pirate theme. It’s very welcoming, comfortable and an excellent place to rest your feet after walking for two weeks. The doors slam, though – bring earplugs.
Alice
A honeymoon bolthole in the Yorkshire Dales
The gamble of choosing Grinton Lodge YHA as part of a honeymoon surprise for my wife paid off handsomely. Its setting and atmosphere are romantic as it is a restored shooting lodge, built in 1817, with fantastic views across Swaledale from the honeymoon suite on the top floor. There are also five cosy, heated wooden camping pods in the grounds, each with a veranda from £40 a night for two people. The YHA is just a 10-minute walk to the nearest pub, the Bridge Inn in Grinton, which has log fires to ramp up the warmth and romance – my wife was well impressed.
Nigel
Beach base for families in Devon
In July, my wife, two teenage daughters, and I stayed at YHA Beer in Seaton, and its location couldn’t have been better. Set in the heart of the village, it was perfect for exploring Beer’s beach, coastal walks and local cafes. The price was great for families, offering excellent value for clean, comfortable private rooms. We loved the relaxed atmosphere and gardens, and booking through the YHA website was straightforward. For an affordable family base with stunning surroundings, YHA Beer is ideal, whether you’re planning a beach day or a hike along Devon’s Jurassic Coast.
Williams
Winning tip: faded Victorian luxury in the Scottish isles
If the Isle of Mull isn’t remote enough for you, it’s a short hop by ferry (foot passengers only, April-October) to Ulva, an island that was bought by the community in 2018. Here you can stay in a Victorian shooting lodge that’s been lovingly converted into the elegant Ulva hostel and retains the faded luxury of its original incarnation. Choose a dorm bed (£22 per night) or a private double (£58) – or retreat to a cosy yurt (£68) with stunning views of Ben More (the highest mountain on Mull). On Ulva you can spot white-tailed sea eagles, visit the even smaller isle of Gometra (population: eight) by walking over the bridge, and enjoy local shellfish, vegan options and fabulous cake at the Boathouse cafe.
Jane Alexander
