This time it was Mary’s fault. She wanted a training weekend in preparation for the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa, a stunning multi day run in Switzerland and Italy. I was keen to join her as last time I didn’t see the views, 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
Visit the Pumpkin Festival at Castle Ward Bunkhouse.. 26th 27th October.
October 14th 2019
Join us for our annual Pumpkinfest event on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October for a fabulous autumn adventure. Pick,… View details
Dragons are kind of a big deal in Wales
October 13th 2019
Luckily they don't mind a bit of rain and you can catch a glimpse of one just a short drive… View details
Shining Cliff Hostel- an ideal location for running and fitness groups!
October 11th 2019
With 20 beds in self catering accommodation in a beautiful off road, woodland setting in the Derwent Valley this is… View details
Alstonefield Camping Barn available for half term escapes from 18 Oct to 24 October
October 9th 2019
Embrace precious family time this October half term with a stay in a remote camping barn located in a meadow… View details
New Year by the coast on The Gower Peninsular in South Wales
October 8th 2019
The Chaffhouse is available over New Year 19/20 for a minimum of 4 nights. A great venue for families or… View details
Autumn Half term holidays at Lake District Backpacker in Windermere
October 7th 2019
The Lakes are looking lovely with all the autumn gold colours on the trees. Every where is less busy and… View details
Hire your own pub and hostel for New Years Eve.
October 7th 2019
Pantyrathro Mexican themed hostel in coastal south Wales has availability for groups between 20 and 46 over Christmas or New… View details
The melodic colours of the Welsh Marches inspires the art inside us all
October 7th 2019
Ledbury Poetry Festival this year was a blast! Start entering your poems now for next July... View details
Stay in Bwlch, a village with three circular walks and the Beacons Way passing through
October 6th 2019
The Star Bunkhouse in Bwlch has spacious bedrooms (including an en-suite Family Room), a homely lounge with a wood burning… View details
Special Offers & Late Availability
Celebrate Christmas with up to 88 family and friends in an elegant Georgian house overlooking the lake of Derwent Water.
October 14th 2019
Derwentwater is available for Exclusive Hire at Christmas, 23rd to 27th inclusive (min 2 night stay) at £995 per night,… View offer
The Long Barn welcomes everyone this Autumn half term.
October 14th 2019
From a lone cyclist passing through, a group walking the Cambrian Mountains or a family wanting to explore the West… View offer
Palace Farm Hostel has availability for individual families and for groups up to 30 people this half term.
October 14th 2019
Palace Farm has family rooms and a good kitchen with 2 cookers, lounge/dining room seats 30. Covered games area with… View offer
EXCLUSIVE HIRE DECEMBER OFFER – Pay for the Friday night and get the Saturday Night FREE!
October 14th 2019
Wooler Youth Hostel and Shepherds' Huts 6th-8th Dec or 13th-15th Dec Was £1100 - Now £550 ! Based on Hostel… View offer
Christmas in the Yorkshire Dales from £20 per person per night
October 12th 2019
Nidderdale Bunkhouse, a former shooting lodge, is the perfect place for groups of up to 20 to celebrate together. View offer
Spend New Year in the mountains of Snowdonia
October 11th 2019
Stay at Snowdon Mountain Hostel, blow away the cobwebs and work off the Christmas calories? View offer
Christmas by the Seaside!!
October 11th 2019
The perfect place for families and mixed groups being two minutes walk from the beach and the South West Coast… View offer
Special Christmas accommodation deal from Skirfare Barn in the Yorkshire Dales
October 11th 2019
This cosy converted stone barn sleeps 20. A 4 nights stay Christmas costs just £1600. View offer
Experience awesome Autumn in Snowdonia
October 11th 2019
Rhdy Ddu bunkhouse sleeps groups of 12 to 30 is available this half term. Enjoy a vigorous day in the… View offer
Christmas Craft Fayre – Cholderton Stonehenge Hostel
October 11th 2019
Come an join in the Christmas Spirit while staying with us at Cholderton Hostel. Saturday 16th November Christmas Craft fayre… View offer
Summer breaks in the Lakes!
October 10th 2019
It's not too early to book your Summer break in the Lakes! Located on Derwentwater at Hawse End, we also… View offer
Book the fabulous Ingelton YHA this Christmas or New Year for a huge family celebration.
October 10th 2019
It's not too late to find Christmas or New Year accommodation for a large group. Up to 64 guests can… 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.