Stay near a Castle : Accommodation in Hostels and Bunkhouses

Who doesn’t love a castle? Their antiquity seems to have a 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 in 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.

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 grounds 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 in the Harry Potter Films and Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey. With Alwnick 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?

Here are just a few ideas:

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 in 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 are travelling to the Brecon Beacons from The Midlands  you might well decide to divert to the market town of  Ledbury and visit the impressive Eastnor Castle, which has plenty to do for all the family and which like Craig Y Nos is a 19th century revival castle.  Should you want to stop over there are two local independent hostels to choose from; there’s Woodside Lodges Bunkhouse and Berrow House Bunkhouse

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 hour’s drive from Glasgow airport.

While you are visiting Scottish castles you might want to take extend your tour to include visiting the ruins of Muness castle on the Isle of Unst,  the most northerly of the Shetland Isles. Self catering hostel accommodation can be found at Gardiesfauld Hostel which is just 1.5 miles away.  Or  stop for a night or two at the Highland Heavan which is a short coastal walk from the The Queen Mother’s former home, the Castle of Mey.

The iconic Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast has Seahouses Hostel, The Hides and Springhill Bunkhouse close by.

While the majestic ruins of 800 year old Kendal Castle in the Lake District is just 15 mins’ walk from Kendal Hostel.

The stunning Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness is the third most visited castle in Scotland (after Edinburgh and Stirling).  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 .

For those of you wanting to visit the South of England why not visit the seaside town of Swanage, stay in Swanage Auberge Bunkhouse and visit the ruins of Corfe castle?

If it’s a visit to a Royal castle you are dreaming of, Highland Haven offering hostel accommodation on the very northern coast of the Scottish Mainland is just a short walk to the Castle of Mey, the Queen Mother’s former home.  While 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, friendly, self catering accommodation.

Accommodation near Castles