In 2014, Stephen, Carol, Richard & Suzanne Mackay purchased Tongue Youth Hostel from the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) with a vision of transforming the undeveloped but prime land surrounding the Hostel into a campsite & caravan park. Read more
Independent Hostels UK
Independent Hostels UK is the largest network of hostel and bunkhouse owners in England, Scotland and Wales. We believe in Direct Booking and on this website everything you say and everything you pay goes direct to your hosts.
Many hostels and bunkhouses are re-opening having implemented government guidelines to minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Booking an entire hostel or bunkhouse for the exclusive use of one or two households is now possible with many places offering reduced rates for smaller groups. At other places you can book en-suite bedrooms with Covid-19 aware measures in place.
You can now holiday in Scotland and Wales if your household/bubble has self contained accommodation and in England up to two households/bubbles can share holiday accommodation. All tourist accommodation can now open in England and will be allowed to re-open in Scotland on 15th July and in Wales on 25th July (subject to review).
All over the UK
Hostels and bunkhouses have self-catering facilities and provide great value accommodation for one night or more. They range from rural barns to city houses and are ideal for exploring the outdoors and independent travel.
There will be some temporary changes to the way places operate in the New Normal. We are working hard to get all these details updated on this website. Click here for the latest updates.
News from the Network
Read the latest natter from hostels and bunkhouses across the UK
Wharfedale Lodge is new to the network and open for Bookings now
July 14th 2020
Self catering accommodation in the Yorkshire dales with 10 twin bedrooms, now available for group from 1 or 2 households/bubbles. View details
Helmsdale Hostel is Good To Go- Reopening on Saturday 25 July 2020
July 14th 2020
We hope people understand our reasons for delaying our opening and we very much look forward to welcoming guests on… View details
Thorpe Farm Bunkhouses in the Peak District is re-opening on Friday 17th July
July 14th 2020
This working farm near Hathersage has four self-contained bunkhouses. Each bunkhouse can take up to two households and camping (without… View details
Ninebanks Hostel reopens
July 13th 2020
Ninebanks Chalet has been proving extremely popular - and it is now time to reopen the main hostel! We're taking… View details
Summer is finally open in Wales and so are we at Snowdonia Mountain Hostel
July 13th 2020
The rivers are running, the beaches are open, so come and join us. We are able to welcome up to… View details
Re-opening delayed of Puttenham Eco Camping Barn
July 13th 2020
This historic barn in the Surrey Hills is being converted from a camping barn to a bunkbarn, which will delay… View details
Lleder House is open
July 13th 2020
The cabin is now available for long or short stays (minimum two nights) and we can have four rooms, each… View details
Anglesey Outdoor Centres activity department is ‘Good To Go’ and our camping is reopening from 27 July
July 13th 2020
We will be having a restricted number of pitches available to ensure the distancing of tents. We will only be… View details
Availability at the Hostel in the Woods in August
July 13th 2020
Shining Cliff hostel and its Woodland Classroom has availability in August. A great place to spend with your family, in… View details
Special Offers & Late Availability
Gibbshill Farm hostel in Northumberland National Park
July 14th 2020
Explore Hadrians Wall in Northumberland. Groups welcome from Friday 17 July 2020 View offer
Last minute August bank holiday availabilty in the Peak district
July 14th 2020
The Roaches Bunkhouse is available for exclusive use hire over August bank holiday weekend due to a cancellation. View offer
Weekends free in August and September in the Lake District
July 13th 2020
Rookhow bunkbarn. Sole use. Phone for prices. Weekends only (Fri-Mon) View offer
Up to 30% off rooms for smaller groups!
July 8th 2020
All our dorm rooms currently have to be sold as private rooms so we are offering up to 30% off… View offer
Camping at Derwentwater Independent Hostel
July 5th 2020
For the first time ever, during summer 2020 we'll be offering four camping pitches in the hostel grounds. View offer
Sandras Hostel, Thurso, Reopening from 15th July
July 2nd 2020
Located in the northern most town of the UK mainland. A wonderful location full of wildlife spotting opportunities and teeming… View offer
Yay! Alston Youth Hostel is Opening again from 1st August 2020
July 2nd 2020
We'll be open on an Exclusive Hire only basis for the next few months but from as little as £99… View offer
Late availability for end of July bookings
June 30th 2020
New Ing Lodge in Shap, edge of the Lake District, have availability for sole use of our lodge for weekends… View offer
Return of Summer getaways in Snowdonia
June 23rd 2020
After being closed for so long due to the pandemic we are hoping to open on July 13th at Pentre… View offer
Can you picture yourself on holiday in an historic house in the Lake District?
April 3rd 2020
Book now to claim a 15% discount on any booking between 3rd Jan and 30th June 2021 at Thorney How… View offer
Space and wildlife right at the centre of Wales
April 2nd 2020
Mid Wales Bunkhouse and Camping is in a quiet area which is splendidly wild. Be it summer or winter it… View offer
The Jonas Centre is temporarily closed from 25th March 2020.
March 25th 2020
It is with a heavy heart that we close the centre for the health, welfare and well-being of our guests,… View offer
Get Inspired
Articles and inspiration from our travel writers
Independent hostels, like youth hostels, have dorms and private rooms, flexible lengths of stay and self catering kitchens ideal for groups. Many of the former youth hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns sold by the YHA and now operating independently are listed on this website. Only five percent of the accommodation featured on this website is affiliated to the YHA ( Youth Hostel Association ) or SYHA ( Scottish Youth Hostel Association ), so you are doubling your choice of self catering accommodation by using both Youth Hostel and Independent Hostel networks. Most of our accommodation is ideal for walkers, cyclists and family holidays while City, Backpackers and Boutique Hostels cater for young or independent travellers. Unlike holiday cottages, hostels/bunkhouses are ideal for a stop-over to break a long journey. They are often available for stays as short as one night and are much better value then hotels. Hostels are sustainable by nature and many are Eco Hostels with green awards. Some are ideal for retreats. Over a quarter of the accommodation on this website is dog friendly and many have some level of accessibility. There are hostels in England, Scotland and Wales. A selection of hostels and bunkhouses welcome stag and hen parties and over a hundred are within walking distance of a pub. Nearly every hostel and bunkhouse has a self catering kitchen and many provide a Best Price Guarantee, ensuring the prices they offer you through this website are the lowest you will find. Hostels and bunkhouses provide self catering accommodation by the Sea, in the Mountains and in National Parks. They also provide Group accommodation ideal for schools, groups, D of E expeditions and reunions of families and friends. The head office of Independent Hostels UK has achieved the Green Tourism Gold Award. Keep in touch with our newsletter follow our facebook or twitter, view a map of UK hostels or buy the guidebook.