We all go to the large booking sites to look for accommodation, however I add another step and I think… 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
You won’t have stayed anywhere like this before.
March 26th 2019
Turn back the centuries and treat yourself, your friends and family to a few days in the magnificent Tudor Hall.… View details
SLEEP SURROUNDED BY HISTORY
March 26th 2019
Stay in a converted 19th century mine shop at Carrshield Camping Barn. The newly and sympathetically restored camping barn is… View details
A BIG WELCOME TO GAVESTON HALL, A 100 BED HOSTEL WHICH JOINED THE IHUK NETWORK THIS MONTH
March 26th 2019
Groups of all ages and sizes (up to 100) will be welcomed to Gaveston Hall near Horsham in West Sussex.… View details
Hotel quality private rooms in a hostel setting
March 26th 2019
Brown Rigg Guest Rooms near Bellingham in Northumberland National Park were opened in 2018 and offer a modern twist on… View details
There so much going on at Knockaloe Beg Farm
March 26th 2019
From open farm days, where you can experience local culture and meet the lambs in the spring, to sheep sheering… View details
Stay in the modern conversion of the first free school in Fishguard!
March 25th 2019
Yet our guests create a lively atmosphere, in what once was a place of study.... Well how about studying the… View details
The new warden appointed at Yealand Old School House
March 25th 2019
Exciting times at Yealand Old School House. The new warden, Alison, will be starting work on 1st April. She will… View details
Blackhouse hostels on the Western Isles
March 24th 2019
The idyllic Gearrannan Black House Village reflects images of the past, through an oil-painting glaze. View details
Kyle Blue
March 23rd 2019
Kyle Blue is a converted boat, a Dutch Barge. It is moored on museum street by Wapping Wharf, surrounded by… View details
Special Offers & Late Availability
Group accommodation Easter Availability in the Peak District.
Lockerbrook, an isolated hill farm, accommodates groups of 15 to 38 in the stunning Dark Peak. Easter holidays available from… View offer
Whole bunkhouse dates late April and May
16 bed bunkhouse late availability in Grasmere, Lake District. Limited dates available in late April and May. Priced from £21.25… View offer
Easter availability due to cancellation
Come & explore the uniquely beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park View offer
Easter Availability
Easter Holiday Availability View offer
29th -31st March 2019 available
Last minute cancellation we have the 29th-31st March available. Offer price £640.00 for the weekend! View offer
Late availability for May Bank Holiday where Wales welcomes the world.
Bring your family and friends to Llangollen for a North Wales adventure. Three nights exclusive use of the 32 bed… View offer
Easter Offer 15th-19th April discounted rates late availbility
Easter holiday dates still available 15th-19th April now just £299 a night for up to 30 people at the Chellington… View offer
Paradox – a men’s retreat
Who would you be if free from the restrictive and often contradictory influences, obligations, and expectations that come with being… View offer
Visit Knoydart Lodge in March 2019 and save 25%
25% off accommodation at Knoydart Lodge, in North West Scotland when you book a private, en-suite room with continental breakfast. 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.