Independent backpacker hostels cater for indidivuals and small groups who want to explore the UK.
Situated in major cities or tourist destinations they are often close to public transport hubs.
These are the sort of hostels where you can turn up on your own and find like minded people to chat to.
These exciting places to stay provide great located, good value accommodation, in dorms and private rooms. Facilities often include a bar, cafe as well as a comunal kitchen.
Using this website you can make a booking, secure in the knowledge that no booking fees are being charged to you or the accommodation owner.
Backpackers & Boutique Hostels in the UK
A multi-award winning 4* hostel with a range of rooms to meet all needs and budgets in the bustling village of Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness. Your perfect base to explore the Loch Ness area and an ideal stop off on the Great Glen Way. Surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and set in wooded grounds the hostel boasts 24 hour self-catering facilities, excellent home-made meal options, a rustic bar, free WiFi, and ample car parking.
Off Market Square, right in the centre of Nottingham, Igloo Hybrid offers great value and comfort. With dorms, singles, doubles, triples, and family quarters as well as our posh en suite Shed digs. Rooms and communal areas feature up-cycled furniture and street art murals, with a self-catering kitchen, WiFi, power showers, lockers, lounge & courtyard.
In a wonderful location, facing south with a sunny aspect and panoramic views over the city, Castle Rock Hostel is just steps away from the city centre. The historic Royal Mile, the busy pubs, the late-late nightlife of Grassmarket and Cowgate are all only a short walk away. Then, of course, there is the famous Edinburgh Castle.Most of the rooms have no traffic noise and there are loads of great facilities, 24-hour reception and no curfew.
The Walrus Hostel is London's most central hostel. Just outside Waterloo station it is only a 10 minute walk to Big Ben, The London Eye and The Houses of Parliament. This prime position, the friendly, helpful staff and the competitive prices have meant that it steadily ranks among the top 5 budget accommodation in London. Book direct for free early check in, towel hire + 10% off at the bar!
Odd the name might well be Albatross hostel has won awards for its accommodation. Just five minutes away from the main transport links it offers affordable accommodation in the center of Newcastle.
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Perfectly situated in the heart of Oban, the gateway to the Isles, just 10 mins’ walk from the bus, train & ferry terminals, this friendly hostel is a great place to stay and unwind. The fabulous sociable lounge has a real fire, pool table, free WiFi, comfy sofas and unlimited free hot drinks. The kitchen is fully equipped, perfect for cooking your favourite meals. Large dorm beds come complete with bedding including 2 comfy pillows. The hot powerful showers are legendary! Knowledgeable and friendly staff will help you make the most of your time in Oban.
If you're looking for great value accommodation in beautiful Bath you need look no further than Bath YMCA. With a total of 210 beds in dormitories and private quads, triples, doubles and singles there is a room to suit everybody. What's more the en suite rooms have all been refurbished for this season. If this isn't reason enough for staying at Bath YMCA then perhaps the FREE breakfast offered to everyone each morning will clinch it for you. Look out for the special offers when you book.
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Very close to the picturesque Ilfracombe Harbour, this cosy, cool, clean and friendly hostel offers fantastic facilities for groups, families and sole travellers.There is storage and a drying room for wetsuits bikes & boards. Plenty of books, games & USB ports. A well equipped self-catering kitchen and a spacious living room with free WiFi. A real home from home. Close to restaurants & bars.
Green Man Backpackers offers inspired accommodation in a Grade ll building in the heart of Chepstow. Chepstow is the starting/finishing point for Offa’s Dyke path, the Wales Coast Path, Gloucester Way and the Wye Valley Walk. The Land’s End/John O’Groats route is just 1 mile away. The Forest of Dean & Wye Valley AONB are also nearby.
Royal Mile Backpackers is a small and cosy hostel with its own special character! Perfectly located on the Royal Mile, the most famous street in Edinburgh, Royal Mile Backpackers is the ideal place to stay for the independent traveller.The comfortable beds and cosy common areas will make you feel at home and the friendly staff are always on hand to help you make the most of your time in Edinburgh.
The Embassie is a majestic terraced house in an unspoilt Georgian square. Until 1986 it was the Consulate of Venezuela! Only 15 minutes’ walk from the centre of Liverpool, known for its nightlife, it’s in the perfect position. Recently refurbished, there are new kitchen facilities, a brand new shower suite and an all new games room & relax area with Sky Sports and HD television. The hostel is clean, safe and staffed 24 hours. Bedding is provided (including sheets) and free coffee, tea, toast and jam are available 24 hours.
The cosy and friendly Student Hotel enjoys panoramic views of the town and the mountains beyond. Your perfect place to unwind, just yards from the city’s varied night-life and a few mins’ walk from bus and train stations. Relax in the fabulous lounge with real log fire and drink as much free tea, coffee & hot chocolate as you like. Visit the beautiful ancient pine forest of Glen Affric or the Culloden Battlefield. Famous Loch Ness lies just a few miles upstream and of course has its own special wild animal.
The Bristol Wing provides unique accommodation for independent travellers, groups and tourists.This iconic former police headquarters provides chic accommodation in the heart of Bristol.A mix of private, en suite and dorm rooms with communal spaces and cafe.Close to the bus station, and perfectly located for Bristol’s best attractions and shopping from big names to quirky markets.
The recently refurbished Hebden Bridge Hostel, run by national arts organisation IOU, offers contemporary, comfortable & affordable accommodation at the heart of this vibrant independent town.Exclusive use, dorms and private rooms are available, all with en suite facilities. Perfect for solo travellers, families or groups. Everyone is welcome.
Dolphins Backpackers provides affordable accommodation just ten minutes from the South West Coast Path in the centre of the scenic coastal village of Tintagel. It is just five minutes’ walk from the castle, famous for King Arthur’s legends, myth and folklore.The hostel sleeps up to 10 in a barn bunkhouse dorm room. There is a welcoming atmosphere in the shared kitchen, the communal areas and the large covered garden.
Located in the centre of beautiful Pitlochry, this friendly, cosy hostel is an old Victorian hotel literally bursting with character and provides dormitory and en suite private rooms. Comfy beds come with fitted sheets, duvets and 2 fluffy pillows and private rooms have fresh towels. The bright spacious lounge has comfy sofas and as many free hot drinks as you can drink. There’s free WiFi, games, musical instruments and a free pool table. A great place to meet like minded people. You won’t want to leave!
The Heb Hostel is a family-run backpackers hostel in the heart of Stornoway on the enchanting Isle of Lewis. It’s ideal for travellers visiting the Hebrides. Cyclists, walkers, surfers, families & groups are all welcome. Clean, comfortable, friendly & relaxed, Heb Hostel aims to provide a quality stay at budget prices. There are many facilities, including a common room with peat fire, free WiFi and local guides.
York is best known for being a historic city with a rich past. But in more recent years there has been a rapidly growing alternative scene. Astor York is a perfect example this trend, while still keeping close to the historic roots of York.
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Whether your visit to Skye is to tackle the mighty mountains, meet the legendary faeries or simply to chill out, Skye Backpackers is the place for you. Located in the fishing village of Kyleakin surrounded by mountains and sea, the hostel has dorm, double and twin rooms. All beds come with sheets, duvets and 2 pillows. There is a fully equipped self-catering kitchen, a sunny dining area, as much free tea, coffee & hot chocolate as you can drink, free WiFi, a cosy lounge with a real fire and spectacular views.
Lakes Boutique Hostel is your perfect base for the Lake District. Central village location, in The HoneyPot! No need for taxis or cars to get around. Unique property, 5 colourful, cosy and clean bedrooms (5 star mattresses & bedding) that can cater for individuals, groups, couples and families. Fully fitted kitchen, open plan lounge social space, free super fast WiFi, large TV and workspace for laptops. Windermere village has everything you need. Cafes, pubs, restaurants, bus/trains, boat trips, & shops.
Harlow International Hostel is in the centre of a landscaped park and is one of the oldest buildings in Harlow. The town of Harlow is your ideal base for exploring London, Cambridge and the best of South East England. The journey time to central London is only 35 minutes from the hostel door and it is the closest hostel to Stansted Airport. National Cycle Route 1 passes the front door. Meals can be provided for groups. There’s a children’s zoo, orienteering course and outdoor pursuits centre in the park.
Former Methodist Church with a range of accommodation for individuals, families and groups amongst beautiful authentic features; stained glass, arches and panels. There’s a large dining room & kitchen and a quiet lounge in the gallery. Kirkby Stephen is a market town in the upper Eden Valley. On Wainwright’s Coast to Coast path with easy access to the Pennine Journey, the W2W cycle route, the Howgill Hills, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.
Multi-award winning, Bazpackers Hostel in Inverness, is doing everything right. From the welcoming staff, the friendly, cosy vibe to the chic decor, the cool pod dorms and the hotel quality private room it ticks all the right boxes. Guests' feedback consistently include phrases such as, 'Exceptional', 'The best', 'Excellent location', 'Beautiful view' & 'Pretty Amazing'. Be sure to put Bazpackers, Inverness on your next Scottish itinerary.
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Radcliffes Lodge is a purpose-built hostel overlooking the Marina in the vibrant harbour town of Amble on the Northumberland Coast. It sleeps 48 across 9 en suite rooms, has a large open-plan communal area & oozes quality & style. With the Coast & Castles cycle route & the Northumberland Coastal Path on the doorstep, the Lodge is perfect for walkers, cyclists, & groups of friends & families.
Cwtsh hostel is new, exciting and trend-setting. Situated in the heart of Swansea City Centre, overlooking Castle Gardens, Cwtsh Hostel provides a modern and unique base to explore the city and surrounding areas.Choose from pod-bunk or private accommodation. Electric bike hire and introductory Welsh classes - bendigedig available. Backpackers, explorers, families, party-goers, schools and freelancers are all welcomed.
Globe Backpackers offers clean, comfortable, self-catering accommodation for up to 30. Book a bed, a room or the whole place.It is just a few minutes’ walk from Exeter’s city centre with its cathedral, picturesque historic waterway, quay and wide range of shops, pubs, clubs, cafés and restaurants.
Luxury, spacious bunkhouse in the Highland village of Drumnadrochit, just a stone's throw from Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. The bunkhouse sleeps 44 across 9 rooms with a choice of dorms, family and twin/triple rooms. Book by the bed, the room or book the whole place. Loch Ness Inn, just across the courtyard, has hotel-style rooms, a fabulous restaurant and cosy bar.
This former Highland farmhouse provides warm & friendly hostel accommodation. Ideally situated within walking distance of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle and the Great Glen Way & with pubs, restaurants & supermarket close by. Residents-only bar. Hiking tours, fishing, watersports, mountain biking can be arranged locally. Whisky & beer tasting by arrangement. Catering for groups of 10+. Pet-friendly by arrangement.
Centrally located in Newquay, Blue Room Hostel offers a variety of en suite accommodation in double rooms and dorms. All rooms are en suite. There is a bar and lounge.
The Great Western and Tolcarne Beaches are within a 2-minute stroll and the famous surfing beach, Fistral Beach, is 30 minutes’ walk away.
The South West Coast Path passes close by.
Totters sits in the heart of the historic castle town of Caernarfon just 30m from the Menai Straits. Close to many pubs and restaurants but with good public transport to the Snowdonia National Park. The hostel is a 200 year old, five floored town house with five bedrooms sleeping either 4 or 6 and a huge double/family en suite. Opposite there is a self-catering town house sleeping 6.
Located in the centre of St Ives, Cohort is stylish and comfortable. Specialising in educational trips, Cohort offers catering for groups and support with trip planning, including developing itineraries. It is open to the general public at Easter and during the summer holidays. Fantastic facilities include a hot, outdoor shower, laundry & drying room, big guest kitchen, super fast WiFi, a TV room & pod beds - all with USB ports, lights, curtains & under-bed storage. Cafés, bars, galleries, Tate St Ives and four spectacular beaches are within a 10 minute walk.
Ballater Hostel lies in the centre of Ballater, near Balmoral, on the east side of the Cairngorms National Park. Traditional dorms & private rooms, along with a large open plan kitchen/dining/communal area make a great space to relax . Excellent drying room, laundry & secure cycle storage available (with outside tap, CCTV, electrical points & bike racks). Either book the whole hostel, a room or just a bed with no minimum stay. Excellent facilities, comfortable beds and a warm and friendly welcome awaits you - the kettle is always on!
Llansteffan is a beautiful village at the tip of the Towi River & Carmarthen Bay. The sandy beaches below the castle offer sun bathing and relaxation. The virtually traffic free country lanes are ideal for cycling. The Wales Coastal Path is on the doorstep and the city of Carmarthen is close by. The hostel provides private rooms, family rooms and en suite rooms.
In the heart of historic Hull this hostel is aimed at the individual traveller, groups, cyclists and families. Perfect for visiting Hull’s museums & attractions, such as The Deep, Marina, theatres and Bonus Arena. Sport fans friendly too. Family en-suite, singles and dorms. Self-catering kitchenettte and coffee lounge. Ideal for visiting Yorkshire Coast, historic Beverley and York. Daily ferries to the Netherlands put Europe on the doorstep.
Chase The Wild Goose is on the Great Glen Way in the village of Banavie, near Fort William, at the end of the West Highland Way. You can be sure of a warm welcome, a comfortable bed and the company of like-minded travellers in a pleasant out-of-town environment. Whether you are on a relaxing holiday with family or friends, enjoying the adventure of a lifetime or travelling the world. Take time out in the Scottish Highlands. The scenery is breath-taking! The hospitality is second to none!
The historic town of Inveraray, on the western shore of Loch Fyne, is a superb location for exploring Scotland’s Southern Highlands and Islands. Inverarary Hostel is perfect for independent holidaymakers who enjoy socialising.The hostel offers simple, comfortable accommodation in private rooms, an excellent self-catering kitchen, communal dining area and a cosy wee lounge.
Close to Penrith town centre and perfect for the C2C cycle route. Excellent value accommodation for visiting Penrith, the Eden Valley & the North Lake District.Bike storage, cleaning, and maintenance facilities on site. Kitchen & dining, en suite rooms with beds made up, lockers, bedside lights & USB points. Individuals, small parties & groups welcome.
The Bunker is on the South West Coastal Path, with Chesil Beach on its doorstep and world class sport climbing, diving sites and water-sports a short distance away. Sleeping up to 18 in 6 private bunk rooms, each with a shower and sink, The Bunker offers affordable accommodation for groups and individuals. It has a large communal area, kitchen with tea and coffee and free WiFi. Breakfast and packed lunches available when booked in advance.
Perched right on the banks of Loch Ness, the Lochside Hostel has fantastic views up and down the loch and can give you direct access to the water’s edge. Why not go for a dip in Scotland’s largest water body? Take a walk to watch for wildlife? Or even hunt the elusive Nessie?The Great Glen walking route passes the front door, and the End to End cycle route is nearby. Drumnadrochit is just 12 miles away by boat.
In the centre of the village of Newbrough, this community run bunkhouse sleeps 22 across 3 dorms. Facilities include
2 shower/WC rooms, 2 sink areas & a small equipped kitchen. A large communal area is available to groups by arrangement. With footpaths leading directly to Hadrian’s Wall, approx 3 km away, it is popular with walkers. While for cyclists the Sandstone Way & Hadrian’s Cycleway pass right by.
Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, Fort William is a mecca for those with a spirit of adventure. You can start (or end) the West Highland Way in Fort William, hike or bike along mountain trails, go for a boat trip on the sea loch or just take it easy amidst the wonderful scenery. Even in winter Fort William stays busy with skiing, snow-boarding, mountaineering and ice-climbing. Set on a hillside above the town, with wonderful views, this cosy hostel provides all you’ll need after a day in the hills.
Llangollen Hostel, in the Dee Valley, is perfect for walking, cycling, canoeing & white water rafting. Families will love visiting the steam railway, horse drawn canal boats & Pontcysyllte Aqueduct - a World Heritage Site. The town has a great choice of restaurants/pubs and is home to the Fringe music & arts festival, plus the International Eisteddfod. Llandegla, Chester, Wrexham & Offa’s Dyke Path are all nearby. A warm welcome awaits!
The High Street Hostel is one of Europe’s best regarded and most atmospheric hostels. It is hugely popular with world travellers. Located just off the historic Royal Mile in a 470 year old building, it is your perfect base for exploring all the city’s many attractions and of course its wonderful nightlife.Providing excellence in location, ambience and facilities, the hostel is highly recommended by more than ten of the world’s top backpacker travel guides. Come along and see for yourself!
OPENING DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED. This bougie new hostel, freshly developed in Bristol, is looking for a business partner to be the welcoming host in these sparkling new surroundings. The Hostel has a capacity of 30 beds. There is an independent cafe underneath, a great stop for breakfasts and midday snacks.
Backpacker Hostels for independent travellers Backpacker hostels cater for independent travellers who want to explore the UK, particularly by public transport. Often but not always aimed at young independent travellers from overseas. They are a great place to meet people and make new friends. Many hostels offer social evenings such as pub crawls and quizzes. Young visitors find that these hostels provide friendly, convenient and safe places to base their explorations of the UK’s greatest cities and tourist attractions. UK residents also find them fantastic bases for affordable city breaks. Alternatively, visit and tour iconic areas of the country.
Where to find a backpackers hostel Backpackers hostels are situated in cities and notable tourist locations around England, Scotland and Wales. In Scotland where the tradition of travelling from hostel to hostel as part of a tour has existed for longer, there are Backpacker style hostels in the smaller towns of Pitlochry, Fort William and Oban. They’re also in the rural but iconic locations in the Highlands and Islands that have attracted visitors for generations.
Cwtsh Hostel in Swansea is a great backpackers hostel Providing good value accommodation in bunk rooms, where you can book a bed, or private group or family rooms. City, Backpackers and Boutique hostels frequently include breakfast in their prices and all have good self-catering facilities to keep the cost of a UK city break to a minimum. In recent years the city hostels, in particular, have invested heavily in upgrading their accommodation so that many of the hostels in this list benefit from modern upgrades. Making them unique and exciting places to stay.
You might be surprised to know that a hostel is often the best-located accommodation for taking a city break and with self-catering available they are ideal for those on a budget. Many hostels have prime city-centre locations. Most have private en-suite rooms are available for couples and groups as well as beds in shared rooms. Hostels are social places and they have social areas like cafes, restaurants and bars where you can hang out and meet your fellow guests. Free WiFi and a kitchen are pretty standard in most hostels. Affordable city breaks are possible with Independent Hostels.
