Here is the story of Tip the dog, who stayed for 104 days with the frozen corpse of her master… 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 400 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
Peppercombe Bothy
April 19th 2019
Cosy and simple accommodation in a vast and beautiful location. View details
Nature on the doorstep, ideal for Photography.
April 18th 2019
Deep in Lael Forest, the bunkhouse is surrounded by wildlife with easy walks to impressive gorges and cascading waterfalls. View details
Just opened for 2019, Kirk Yetholm Hostel starts it’s 77th year of operation with some expertly installed new beds.
April 18th 2019
The Friends of Nature House at Kirk Yetholm is famous for its location on the Pennine Way and Land's End… View details
Castle Creavie Hay Barn Hostel
April 18th 2019
Self catering barn in Dumfries and Galloway. View details
Earby Hostels new website has a great page of things to do in the area.
April 18th 2019
For those not into long walks and the Pennine Way there are some great family attractions in the area around… View details
A bunkhouse on the Mach Loop
April 17th 2019
Torrent Walk Bunkhouse in Dolgellau, Snowdonia has a few surprises for its guests. Not only does it have one of… View details
Meet the legendary faeries of The Isle of Skye.
April 17th 2019
Wander into the pages of a fantasy fairy tale when you take your first step onto the mystical shores of… View details
Earby Hostel Open Day April 21 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
April 17th 2019
Join Matt, Emma and their family as they open the doors to the newly renovated Earby Hostel View details
Sleep on the shores of Loch Ness
April 16th 2019
This is the only hostel in the world that can offer this unrivaled setting! View details
Special Offers & Late Availability
Shining Cliff Hostel, the hostel in the woods, is available over the early May bank holiday, due to a late cancellation
This iconic ex-youth hostel, a walk into Shining Cliff Woods and close to the Peak District, is ideal for groups… View offer
Due to cancellation, large group accommodation available in the Peak District 16-18 July 2019
Are you still looking for accommodation for a large group 16-18th July? The new purpose built Mount Cook Adventure Centre… View offer
3 Nights for the Price of 2 over the Easter Weekend!
Offers don't get much better than this. Groups of up to 38 can enjoy this fantastic saving when they spend… View offer
Easter Weekend – Navigation For Beginners
Do you head out into the hills? Do you carry a map but don’t know how to read it properly?… View offer
Late Availability – Easter
We have availability over the Easter holidays, including Easter weekend. Read the full article... View offer
The Highland Haven has availability over Easter.
With 3 beaches within walking distance, a complimentary breakfast and a view like this, what more could you ask for? View offer
Late availability; group accommodation in the Cairngorms.
Last weekend in June now available! 10% discount View offer
Easter weekend availability
10% off for groups over Easter weekend View offer
Easter Breaks at Cote Ghyll Mill!
10% off for families when booking two nights or more in a room at the Mill between 8th - 23rd… 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 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.