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
