Blog

Several members of the 300-strong network of UK Independent Hostels occupy unusual buildings that used to be something else. These include lighthouse keepers’ cottages, railway carriages, schools, Methodist chapels and a courthouse. A large number have also been converted from old farm buildings and barns.

Read more

Sleeping in Unusual buildings

Cycle Touring

If you are planning cycle touring the UK you will find a great selection of value accommodation on offer from the Independent Hostels UK network (IHUK) of over 300 hostels, camping barns and bunkhouses, many of which have overnight bike storage.

Read more

Cycle Touring

London Trip

Myself and a friend decided on a trip to London with 6 kids all over 11 and under 15. Train fares from Derbyshire were really pricey unless we went in the middle of the day. So we decided to plan our Read the full article…

Read more

london changing of the guard

Group Hostels

Groups seeking value accommodation will find a huge variety of places to stay with the Independent Hostels UK network (IHUK) of over 300 houses, cottages, camping barns and bunkhouses across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Read more

accommodation at group hostels

Walkers Accommodation

The Independent Hostels UK network (IHUK) of over 300 houses, cottages, camping barns and bunkhouses across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland offer great value walkers’ accommodation. They provide self-catering, drying rooms and are generally set up with the outdoors enthusiast in mind. Suitable for singles, couples and groups seeking friendly, clean and inexpensive accommodation without membership requirements.

Read more

walkers accommodation in the cambrian mountains

Family Holidays

The hostels ideal for family holidays are ones with family rooms and large shared areas. A family room can have a combination of bunks and beds and sleep between 3 and 8 people. It provides a place of security at night-time and yet the kids have all the fun of shared gardens and playrooms in the day.

Read more

Isle of Purbeck Reunion of Old Friends

We started our walk, straight from the David Donaldson Field Studies Base out along the coast path of the Isle of Purbeck. As soon as we reached the sea at Deadmans Bay we got held up by the hundreds of fossils set in the mud stone. The weather was so hot that the children swam and everyone waded out into the water to see the fossils set in the seabed.

Read more

Lake District Camping Barns

The Lake District has been a popular holiday destination for over 100 years and as a National Park is protected from over-development. However you can still stay in some of the most isolate and protected locations by using the Lake District camping barns.

Read more

Lake district camping barns view

Fun in the Lincolnshire Wolds

There is a riding school on site and we arrange a horse ride through the local, very beautiful, countryside of the Lincolnshire Wolds. We also spend a day on the beach which is just a 20 mins drive away.

Read more

Bird Watching breaks

Independent Hostels, Bunk Houses and Camping Barns are useful resources for bird watching breaks – not only do they offer great value, but are also in many of the quieter remote areas and they particularly welcome bird watchers.

Read more

Bird Watching breaks