Read about Judes birthday get-away to the North Wales Coast. Traveling by public transport, camping lite with the aid of Platts Farm and with multiple sightings of a strangely familiar seagull. Jude gives the low down on great places to visit around Conway and Llandudno. 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
Stuck for Chirstmas presents? Here’s a quirky idea for under £8.
November 20th 2019
Order this years edition now to wrap up for Christmas, and we will automatically send your giftee the 2020 edition… View details
Wales this Easter? Plas Dolau Country House is available
November 20th 2019
Availability for individuals looking for a quiet country break to large groups looking to take a trip to the coast.… View details
Ilderton Dod Barns offer a haven for cyclists
November 20th 2019
Lockable biking facilities, mountain bike trails galore and a discount for arriving on two wheels. Ilderton Dod Barns is fantastic… View details
Hen Weekend in the City Centre
November 19th 2019
We know the pressure that comes with being the Maid of Honour is pretty high! Let us do our bit… View details
Winner of KAYAK awards Best Hostel in UK, 2019
November 19th 2019
Park Villa is a new boutique hostel in the heart of the old East End of London. The hostel is… View details
Now open to individuals, Sanachan Bunkhouse, the ultimate destination for all your Scottish Adventures!
November 19th 2019
This hidden gem of a hostel on the north west coast of Scotland, is perfectly placed for walking, cycling, climbing,… View details
Dog friendly accommodation in the Devon countryside
November 18th 2019
A beautiful national trust farm full of walks to get lost in View details
Quirky (comfortable) barn for winter break in Suffolk
November 18th 2019
Hoping to book somewhere different for 2020? Four-poster beds, Tudor costumes, 400 year old oak beams in a cathedral-like roof,… View details
The geese are flying overhead at Deepdale Hostel, a Gold Award holder of the Green Tourism Award
November 15th 2019
Always a sign that colder weather is coming, and just a small part of the amazing wildlife you can see… View details
Special Offers & Late Availability
Cycling in Suffolk – discounts for Cycling Clubs
November 18th 2019
Cycling Clubs planning their 2020 programme ... why don't you check out the many cycle routes in Suffolk? We offer… View offer
25% off a central London group stay with Atlas Studio Rooms this Easter
November 18th 2019
Looking for a chance to see London this Easter? Atlas Studio Rooms is offering 25% off for all groups. See… View offer
Christmas and New Years availability
November 14th 2019
The perfect setting for your large family Christmas or New Years gathering View offer
It’s not too late to book this popular residential school activity centre on the north Cornish coast for next year.
November 13th 2019
Manor House Activity Centre, near Padstow, has been providing top quality activity holidays for schools for many years. There are… View offer
Christmas in the Woods, with 50% off 3rd and 4th nights.
November 13th 2019
Shining Cliff hostel has availability over Christmas; a beautiful woodland setting for your Christmas gathering. View offer
Christmas and New Year availability in stunning National Trust property
November 13th 2019
Hendre Isaf Basecamp offers cosy accommodation for groups in a building that's over 400 years old. Only 6 miles from… View offer
December break in Lake District
November 12th 2019
Special offer for 2 nights exclusive use at New Ing Lodge on the edge of Lake District sleeping 33 people… View offer
Discounted Winter Rates for a seaside break in Brighton
November 8th 2019
With beds from £15, sea front location and a great social atmosphere, Seadragon Backpackers is offering tremendous value and a… View offer
It’s not too late! New Year availability at Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge
November 7th 2019
Spend New Year within walking distance of Loch Ness and join the cosy Hogmanay party in the Loch Ness Backpackers… View offer
Autumn Adventure Weekends Pembrokeshire Coast Wales
November 6th 2019
Escape to Preseli Venture eco lodge on the wild, beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast. Hike the coastal trail and go sea kayaking… View offer
Festive Family Fun in a beautiful converted church
November 6th 2019
Bring all the family together this December in a unique setting. Last minute availability, 6th-8th December & 24th-27th December 2019. View offer
November Availability
November 5th 2019
There is availability at Pentre Bach Bunkhouse Waunfawr near Caernarfon for 11th to the 30th November for any number of… 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.