Stay near a Castle : Accommodation in Hostels and Bunkhouses
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The UK is covered with castles in all shapes and sizes and there are a surprising number of independent hostels and bunkhouses within walking distance of a castle.
Who doesn’t love a castle? Their antiquity seems to have power over us and draws us to them. The UK is covered with castles in all shapes and sizes and there are a surprising number of independent hostels and bunkhouses within walking distance of a castle. Some, like Totters in Caernarfon, are literally next door nestling in the shadows of the historic castle walls, others like Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh are a mere street away and the majestic view of the castle greets you from the windows and as you leave the front door. While Craig Y Nos Castle in the Brecon Beacons National Park has a hostel on its grounds and hostel guests are welcome into the castle for hearty meals, cosy evenings by the wood-burning stoves and a free history tour.
Why visit a Castle
Castles spark the imagination in everyone. The thick walls and narrow stone stairways instantly transport you to medieval times. The era of knights in shining armour. Children love nothing better than to explore the ancient rooms, race around the ruins and see the weapons on display. Overseas visitors are often overwhelmed by the sheer age, number and variety of castles we have in the UK. Surely one of the best social media posts is one of you in front of an iconic castle. One of the firm favourites is Alnwick Castle in Northumberland which was Hogwarts in the Harry Potter Films and Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey. With Alnwick Youth Hostel a few minutes walk from the castle, offering family-friendly 4* self-catering accommodation, there is no excuse not to visit.
There are so many iconic castles with independent hostel accommodation nearby. Independent hostels provide great value, self-catering accommodation for individuals, families and groups. With communal kitchens, dining and relaxing areas they are great places for meeting people and are wonderfully flexible as there is normally no minimum length of stay. Why not plan your tour of castles and stay in independent hostels along the way?
Some examples from our network
Totters hostel in a 200-year-old 5 floored town house next to Caernarfon Castle, Wales
Craig Y Nos Castle Hostel and B&B in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. With a hostel on the grounds, guests are welcome into the castle for hearty meals, cosy evenings by the wood-burning stoves and a free history tour.
If you’re travelling to the Brecon Beacons from the midlands you can divert to the market town of Ledbury. The home of the impressive Eastnor Castle. The castle has plenty to do for everyone and like Craig Y Nos, is a 19th-century revival castle.
Inveraray Castle, on the western shore of Loch Fyne, Argyll, Scotland is just a 7 minute walk from Inveraray Hostel. This cosy hostel sleeps 22 across 10 rooms and is just one and a half hours drive from Glasgow airport.
While you’re visiting Scottish castles you might want to include visiting the ruins of Muness castle on the Isle of Unst. Unst is the most northerly of the Shetland Isles. Self-catering hostel accommodation can be found at Gardiesfauld Hostel which is just 1.5 miles away.
The iconic Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast has Seahouses Hostel close by.
While the majestic ruins of 800 year old Kendal Castle in the Lake District are just 15 minutes walk from Kendal Hostel (currently closed).
The stunning Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness is the third most visited castle in Scotland. The closest accommodation is Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge
Tretower Court & Castle in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales is a short drive or a scenic walk of 3 miles away from Star Bunkhouse.
If it’s a visit to a Royal castle you are dreaming of, Ballater Hostel and Braemar Lodge Bunkhouse are just a short scenic drive to the Queen’s Scottish residence at Balmoral.
These are just a few ideas. Listed below are all the hostels and bunkhouses in the independent hostel network that are close to a castle. If you love visiting castles, try staying at independent hostels for great value, and friendly, self catering accommodation.