We make it to the ferry port just as the ferry is docking, we cycle onto it, lock up the… Read more
Independent Hostels UK
We are the UK’s largest network of hostels and bunkhouses.
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 independent travel and exploring the great outdoors. Groups, families and individuals of all ages can be sure of a friendly welcome.
What is a hostel, bunkhouse or a camping barn? Find out here.
We believe in Direct Booking and on this website everything you pay and everything you say goes direct to your hosts. Book a room, book a bed or hire the whole place for a holiday with family and friends.
All over the UK
There are over 440 bunkhouses, hostels and camping barns in our network with locations all over England, Scotland and Wales.
From Shetland to Cornwall, there are independent hostels in the national parks, on the coast, on mountains and in historic cities.
Some provide simple accommodation, others are luxurious. Many have private rooms, some en-suite and there are often bunks in dorms.
What they all have in common is shared areas for relaxation like kitchens, lounges and gardens.
News from the Network
Read the latest natter from hostels and bunkhouses across the UK
Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life with a unique Glamping Pod experience at Mount Cook.
August 18th 2019
Perched on a hill between a traditional Derbyshire Dales market town and the village that started the industrial revolution, Mount… View details
This coastal Dorset location fills your hands with endless opportunities.
August 17th 2019
Coastal footpaths bathed in southern sunlight await you... stretches of sandy beaches and smooth current seas call for paddle boarders… View details
Fancy a holiday with a difference? Then why not volunteer for Coast Care in beautiful Northumberland?
August 16th 2019
Seahouses Hostel is delighted to promote Coast Care, an exciting initiative supporting volunteers in the management and conservation of the… View details
Wetherdown Lodge in the heart of the South Downs National Park, a Green Tourism Gold Award winning eco-renovation
August 16th 2019
Whether as a stop-over for those walking the South Downs Way or a venue for families and friends reunions, the… View details
Corwen Walking festival 2019, 31st Aug-1st Sept, two days of wonderful walking and evening entertainment.
August 16th 2019
This festival is based just 8 miles from Llangollen Hostel with some walks starting from the door. langollen Hostel provides… View details
The star studded dark skies of Snowdonia await you.
August 16th 2019
Feast your eyes on the mesmerising star filled skies above Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia International Dark Sky Reserve and stay… View details
The Gaelic saying“ruigidh each mall, muillean” roughly translates to ‘even the slowest horse eventually reaches it’s destination’
August 16th 2019
Would you like to find out more? For Gaelic courses rooted in the culture of the local community make a… View details
The Bristol Wing
August 16th 2019
…Bristol is a fabulous city, full of history and with a thriving artistic scene. The Bristol Wing, in many ways… View details
Accommodation from £15 a night in Kings Cross London!
August 15th 2019
Clink Hostels' dorms are by far the cheapest option when visiting London... opt to sleep socially and save your pennies… View details
Special Offers & Late Availability
Accessible adventure in Suffolk
August 16th 2019
Min 10% off 13-15th Sept w/e in the Tudor barn. Enjoy the last of summer cycling, walking, playing tennis, picnicking,… View offer
Daylight outlasts the night in September … enjoy it in Suffolk
August 16th 2019
We're offering 10% off the price of the only weekend still available in the Old Brooder bunkhouse - 13-15 September… View offer
New Year and Christmas availability at the Wild Wool Barn in Ennerdale
August 14th 2019
The Wild Wool Barn, overlooking Ennerdale Water, provides luxury bunkhouse accommodation for 6 with a traditional wood-burning stove. Celebrate this… View offer
Special August Offer. Just £15pp mid week at Ogwen Valley Bunkhouse in Snowdonia.
August 12th 2019
Last minute bookings Monday-Thursday in August just £15 per person per night. It's almost too good to be true. Book… View offer
Christmas, TwixMas and Hogmanay on the shores of Loch Fyne.
August 12th 2019
Argyll Backpackers Hostel is purpose built, modern, homely and bright, with a range of rooms from 2 bed to 6… View offer
Book Witherslack Cycle Barn for Christmas and arrive to a fully festive barn and presents for the guests.
August 12th 2019
This modern barn conversion sleeps 14 people in four en-suite bedrooms and is available on dates from Monday 23rd to… View offer
Do you fancy a quiet New Year in an historic setting ? Relaxing with friends and relatives.
August 12th 2019
The historic Tudor barn at Milden Hall is available from 27th Dec onwards. It has comfortable rooms for 23 people,… View offer
Celebrate Christmas in Suffolk in the comfortable Old Brooder Bunkhouse
August 12th 2019
With tasteful decor, modern self catering, a large dining table and 4 bedrooms with beds for 20, the bunkhouse at… View offer
Celebrate New Year and Christmas with family and friends at the Viking Centre.
August 12th 2019
Amazing-value group accommodation in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Sleeping 20 people and costing £90 a night. Available for over the festive season.… View offer
Womerton Bunkhouse in Shropshire has both Christmas week and the New Year available.
August 12th 2019
Cosy and warm inside and with the Longmynd at the end of the drive, its an ideal location to walk… View offer
Join the Hogmanay celebrations in the magnificence of the Torridon mountains at Kinlochewe Bunkhouse in Wester Ross.
August 12th 2019
Read on to find the festive opening hours at Kinlochewe Hotel and to book a bed in the Bunkhouse which… View offer
Spend your Christmas with up to 40 people you love !
August 12th 2019
The Roaches Bunkhouse provides bright self catering accommodation for groups of 10 to 40 at the foot of this famous… 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.