Trips on steamers across Ullswater, kayak tours, walking, (strenuous routes up mountains or gentle strolls on the flat), scrambling, cycling, visits to castles, quaint high street shops and distillery tours. Just a few of the exciting days out you could plan on your Lake District mini break.
Blog
Active Adventures in the Shropshire ‘Black Hole’
A weekend of fell running and walking in Shropshire and one of discoveries: Bridges Youth Hostel in Ratlinghope was a great place to stay, cosy and warm, with power showers, hearty vegan/vegetarian breakfasts, lots of advice on the best routes and a lovely pub a stone’s throw away. Shropshire exceeded all expectations, with stunning views, deserted routes and the wonderful sound of silence. I will be back!
Support Our Hostels
It has been a tough summer for all accommodation businesses, but the worse effected are hostels and bunkhouses. This unique style of accommodation needs support from the Government to get them though the winter. There is a motion in Parliament and we need your help now. Read on to find out how.
Discovering Llandudno and Conwy
Exploring the delights of LLandudno, Conwy and the Great Orme by train and tram while staying at Llandudno Hostel
Why you should Book Direct
We all go to booking sites for accommodation, however I add another step and I think you should too… I use the booking sites to find suitable available accommodation, then I google the accommodations name, look past all the Ads and I place my booking direct. This has led to some startling results over the years.
Save Outdoor Education Centres & Support Hostels
Outdoor education centres are closed and hostels are missing out on a significant client in schools. These closures are due to the Government preventing schools from undertaking any overnight trips now and throughout the current academic year.
Biking in the Yorkshire Dales
Thursday afternoon was warm and sunny, as I drew into the farm at Brompton on Swale which housed the bunkbarn I’d booked into.
Reflections on our stay at Elterwater Hostel
The hostelling 50+ group travelled up to the Lake District and stayed 2 nights at Elterwater Hostel in the Langdale Valley. Here are our reflections: what we thought and what we did.
A dream come true. A ‘one-stop shop’ of affordable accommodation on the Kyle of Tongue
In 2014, Stephen, Carol, Richard & Suzanne Mackay purchased Tongue Youth Hostel from the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) with a vision of transforming the undeveloped but prime land surrounding the Hostel into a campsite & caravan park.
Celebrating the Year of the Rat at Clink 78
January has been an interesting month for me. The first day was spent in an Ecuadorian embassy and the last weekend in a London courthouse. Luckily for me I was free to leave at any time. Here’s how London celebrated Chinese New Year, as seen from our visit to the Clink Hostel.
There’s no Restriction on Armchair Travel.
Reading, dreaming and planning holidays with your friends has got to be good for the spirits. Read on to claim your copy of the Independent Hostel Guide (available free during the Coronovirus lockdown).
Adelina Patti, History Tours at Craig Y Nos Castle
Adelina Patti made Craig Y Nos Castle into her lavish home. Although nearly forgotten now, in her time Adelina was the worlds first celebrity. Latter the castle became a TB hospital. It is now an idyllic wedding venue and has a great value bunkhouse in the old nurses accommodation. A history tour of the castle is run every morning and if you are staying in the bunkhouse you can join the tour for free.
A Few Days in Kettlewell
For Sandy and I, our goal was simple. To complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. We had last made the round of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough back in the summer of 1984 soon after we had first met. Now, 35 years later, it was time for another go!
Do you care about climate change? Are you planning to be more environmentally friendly this year?
Perhaps one of your New Year resolutions is to live a greener life. If so we can help!!! Holidays in hostels or bunkhouses have great ECO credentials.
Hostellers’ Reflections of the Deepdale Granary
Our small group of hardy hostellers travelled to Deepdale Rooms and Camping, in Burnham Deepdale on the beautiful North Norfolk coast close to the National Trust Brancaster Beach and stayed in the Granary.
A 60th Birthday Party to remember at Inveraray Hostel
Virginia, who has written on this website about her quest to climb 60 UK summits in her 60th year, finished her challenge with a joint 60th birthday celebration at Inveraray Hostel.
Glencoe Gathering
After doing the Jura Fell race in June this was only my second race of the year, so much anticipated.
A Welsh weekend getaway
Read about Judes birthday get-away to the North Wales Coast. Traveling by public transport, camping lite with the aid of Platts Farm and with multiple sightings of a strangely familiar seagull. Jude gives the low down on great places to visit around Conway and Llandudno.
Scottish Gardens of the Far North
We were on a four day expedition to visit the Scottish gardens of the North. The hostel accommodation provided by Helmsdale Hostel was comfortable and fun and the gardens were aglow with colour.
Another Bob Graham attempt?
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,
How to be a green hosteller
Congratulations! By choosing independent hostels you are already one step towards being a great green hosteller! However here are 10 more things you can to do become a truly green traveller.
