Independent hostels, like youth hostels, have dorms and private rooms, flexible lengths of stay and self catering kitchens designed for groups. Only a small amount of the self catering accommodation featured on this website is affiliated to the YHA, SYHA or HI ( Hostelling International). So you are doubling your choice of accommodation if you use both the YHA and the Independent Network IHUK. There are over 400 hostels and bunkhouses in the Independent Hostel Guide and this is the only place you will find information about some of the former youth hostels and camping barns.
Hostels and bunkhouses are ideal for walkers, cyclists and family holidays in the UK while city, backpackers and boutique hostels cater for young or independent travellers. Perfect for self catering holidays and ideal for a stop-over to break a long journey. Unlike holiday cottages, hostels provide accommodation for stays as short as one night. They also provide self catering group accommodation ideal for schools, groups and reunions of families and friends. There are hostels by the Sea, in the Mountains and in National Parks. All the self catering accommodation on this website welcomes groups and over 80% is also available to individuals. Our accommodation is 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 and we even have a list of Luxury Bunkhouses and Luxury Camping Barns! Looking for the hostel experience but on a smaller scale? Our Small Hostels map page has 26 lovely hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns in stunning locations all with less than 10 beds. For the horse riding enthusiasts a number of hostels also offer horse B &B and riding holidays. While other hostels make unique venues for alternative weddings. 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 best value you will ever find.
Looking for somewhere for your family group to spend Christmas or the New Year? Many of our hostels are open over the festive period and you can opt to have sole use of the hostel for your celebrations.
The offices of Independent Hostels UK have been awarded Green Tourism Gold. Keep in touch with our newsletter follow our facebook or twitter, view a map of UK hostels or buy the guidebook.