Alston Youth Hostel represents a refreshing return to the old hostelling values – the social side of shared spaces and the diversity of people who meet within them.
YHA Alston has been in private ownership since the Youth Hostel Association sold it in 2014. For the following decade it operated joyful under the guardianship of Linda and Neil Willmott and since 2024 it has been owned and run by Mat and Claire Austin.
Changes in the YHA’s fortunes have led to the sale of more hostels in 2026 and, more significantly for Mat, a restructuring of its affiliated hostel agreements.
YHA Alston, now called Alston Youth Hostel, is one of ten affiliated hostels leaving the YHA umbrella this year, alongside several others that closed during the renegotiation process.
When I asked Mat what makes Alston Youth Hostel special, he replied:
“A refreshing return to the old hostelling values – the social side of shared spaces and the diversity of people who meet within them, but with modern and comfortable facilities.”
So who stays at Alston Youth Hostel?
Built to serve walkers on the Pennine Way — and located literally right alongside the trail — the hostel enjoys a steady flow of long-distance hikers.
It welcomes a mix of outdoor enthusiasts exploring the wild North Pennines, including cyclists tackling the Coast to Coast route and runners scouting sections of the Spine Race.
Alongside this, the hostel plays host to a very different but equally valued group of guests, these could be pensioners exploring the town at a gentler pace, young people setting out on their first independent adventures, or toddlers with their families in search of the best local ice creams.
Mat recalls a moment from one of his first evenings at the hostel that crystallised what the business was really about.
Passing through the lounge, Mat overheard a conversation between a seventy-year-old tourist, two RAF officers, and a young extreme sports enthusiast. He was amazed by the connections this unlikely group of strangers were discovering.
As the conversation continued late into the evening, Mat realised that what he had bought was more than an independent business; it was also a social responsibility. Because where else would such a diverse group of people sit together and freely share their experiences?
Mats Stewardship
Under Mat’s stewardship, Alston Youth Hostel has been all about making everyone feel welcome and celebrating the variety of people who pass through its doors. Recent refurbishments have included major improvements to the hostel’s accessibility facilities.
“Many of our guests enjoy the South Tyneside Trail that follows the river with regular refreshment stops and the option of a steam train journey back.” Says Mat “It’s a great day out and accessible to everyone from toddlers to wheelchair users. We love the fact that our accommodation makes this a possible holiday trip for everyone”
A conversation I had with Mat a few weeks ago perfectly captures his attitude towards the social role of hostelling.
At the Independent Hostels network, we were receiving a sudden rise in enquiries from parents of seventeen-year-olds planning their first independent trips away, as well as from the young people themselves.
Changes in YHA policy had dramatically reduced the number of youth hostels able to accept this age group, effectively limiting options to a handful of city locations. This created an immediate need for places where young people could independently explore the countryside.
I sent an alert to hostels across the Independent Hostels Network, and Mat was among the first to respond. Pleased that he could help, I replied:
“That’s great news. This is a brilliant way to introduce the youth of today to the North Pennines.”
Mat’s response was immediate:
“Indeed. Maybe I should start an organisation called the ‘Youth’ Hostel Association. Think it will catch on?”