This map of central England and Shropshire shows the locations of bunkhouses, camping barns and hostels in prime holiday locations across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the Midlands. It also covers the areas of the Cotswolds, Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire where hostels and bunkhouses are rare. The cities of Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Nottingham have city centre hostels providing friendly self catering accommodation for stays as short as one night. Shropshire and the heart of England has some glorious public footpaths meandering between old English villages and the hostels and bunkhouses in these areas provide ideal facilities for walkers and cyclists. Familys and groups are always welcome at the hostels of Shropshire and Central England.
Central England & Shropshire
Bushey Heath Farm in the heart of the Peak District offers 2 self contained bunk barns for groups of up to 20 and a summer campsite. The larger barn can accommodate occupants of both barns for meals. The farm has been developed with ground source heating, a wind turbine and rainwater harvesting, so visitors can experience practical sustainable ideas. Sleeping bags/duvets/sheet required.
The Glenorchy Centre is found on the edge of the Peak District National Park in the historic market town of Wirksworth. The High Peak Trail for walking, pony trekking and cycling and Black Rocks for bouldering and climbing are within a couple of miles. Nearby Cromford has Arkwright's mills, a World Heritage Site, and Cromford Canal. Suitable for self-catering groups, the accommodation is well appointed and boasts a spacious multi-purpose room with a large stage.
Situated on the National Trust Dudmaston Estate, 4 miles south east of Bridgnorth, Big Mose Bunkhouse accommodates groups of up to 18 in 4 bunkrooms of varying sizes. It has spacious communal areas.
The bunkhouse is perfect for groups of family/friends, walkers and clubs. Dudmaston has lots to offer with managed woodlands, beautiful walks, tranquil pools with plenty of wildlife.
Situated in the Peak District’s Woodlands Valley, Hagg Farm offers comfortable accommodation for up to 44 people with an additional 18 beds in the John Hunt Base next door (also in this Guide). Part of Nottinghamshire C.C’s Environmental & Outdoor Education Service, Hagg Farm is available for private hire by groups, families, clubs & charitable organisations. It can be booked on a self-catering or catered basis.
At the heart of Hathersage in the Hope Valley, close to Stanage and the other gritstone edges, the Derwent Valley Reservoirs, Chatsworth, Castleton and Hathersage outdoor pool. With limitless walking from the door. High quality accommodation for groups, with a well equipped self-catering kitchen, dining room, lounge & classroom. Outdoor activities available on request.
With all of the Peak District National Park within easy access, the centre is an ideal location for activities and tourism and it welcomes a wide range of groups. 31 or 52 bed configurations can be booked.
The spacious centre includes; a large lounge with library, TV and wood burning stove, well equipped kitchens & dining areas. An extensive network of paths give access to the countryside. Adventure activities available, great for team building & courses.
The former 18th century stable block of Ilam Hall in the Peak District National Park close to Dove Dale.
Now managed by the National Trust and providing high quality group accommodation. Each bunk has a locker, night light and plug socket. The sociable main living area has a large dining table with benches, an open plan kitchen and large comfortable sofas. Explore the limestone hills, dales, rivers and woodland of the picturesque White Peak.
Woodside Lodges Bunkhouse sits in a landscaped park with pools & wild flower meadows, along with Scandinavian self-catering lodges, a campsite and camping pods. The bunkhouse offers 5 self-catering units. Guests enjoy private rooms but share the campsite shower block. Close to the Herefordshire Trail, Malvern Hills & the Forest of Dean it's ideal for walkers, cyclists & nature lovers.
Located on the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate in the heart of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this bunkhouse provides rustic, basic accommodation which comprises two restored barns located amongst the woodlands and grassland of the estate.
A well equipped, self-catering kitchen, lounge and outdoor eating area make it perfect for self-catering groups whilst the nearby picture postcard village of Aldbury has two pubs. There is no mobile reception at the bunkhouse.
Dalehead Bunkhouse is on a working hill farm at the remote head of Edale Valley. Providing basic but comfortable accommodation heated by log burner & infrared radiant heat. There is a kitchen with fridge/freezer, a lounge, dining room and plenty of parking. Please bring sleeping bags, pillows and towels. Edale is a very popular destination for walkers, climbers, mountain bikers, hang-gliders or for enjoying the magnificent scenery.
In the heart of Bamford these two bunkhouses are on a small farm just 3 miles from Stanage Edge. The Derwent Dams are close by. Perfectly located for visiting Castleton, Chatsworth House and Hathersage. Both bunkhouses are centrally heated have hot showers and have their own well equipped kitchens. Sheets and pillows are provided (BYO sleeping bags) Book separately or together. Sorry, no dogs.
Part of a Welsh hill farm on the Wales/Shropshire border at 1475ft above sea level, with beautiful views over the Ceiriog Valley and Berwyn Mountains. Great for walking, riding, cycling, team building, meetings, or just to relax. There is a heated games and lecture room. The bunkhouse has under-floor heating, entrance hall, drying room, large self catering kitchen, dining area & lounge. The patio and lawn have a BBQ and hot tub. Horse riding and archery on site. Horses and pets welcome on request.
On top of Wenlock Edge AONB, in the heart of Shropshire, Stokes Barn has two bunkhouses with comfortable, centrally heated, dormitory accommodation. Perfect for corporate groups, walkers, field study, schools, stag and hen parties or a reunion with friends/family. Ironbridge World Heritage Site is 6 miles away. Much Wenlock is walking distance with shops, pubs and sports facilities.
Situated in the village of Claxby in the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB this low cost hostel has a well equipped kitchen and good sized communal area. Within easy reach of Lincoln, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe and Grimsby. The perfect location for: walking, cycling, field studies, outdoor pursuits, educational activities and conservation projects. Popular with schools, scouts, guides, walkers, cycling groups and other youth organisations. Ideal for groups wanting an educational and/or adventurous break deep in rural surroundings.
This bunkhouse on a working farm has a fully equipped self-catering kitchen, dining room and lounge. Enjoy the quiet rural location on the covered decking, patio (with BBQ) and lawn. The nearby Wye Forrest is one of the largest remaining ancient forests in England. On the Worcestershire Way and close to the Severn Way and Mercian Way (NCN route 45) at Bewdley (1 mile). The West Midland Safari Park and Severn Valley Railway are also very close.
This beautiful riverside pub has been standing on the banks of the River Wye since the 15th century. With charming traditional features, warming open fires and stunning views across the valley, Ye Old Ferrie Inn is the ideal base for your exploration of the Wye Valley. Ye Old Ferrie Inn Bunkhouse, adjoining the inn, is the perfect place for you to hang up your rucksack, kick off your walking boots and relax. Popular with canoeists, walkers and climbers. If you don't fancy self-catering there is B&B in the Inn.
Womerton Farm Bunkhouse sits right next to the Long Mynd in the heart of the Shropshire Hills. It offers small select accommodation for 8 with a well appointed kitchen and living area. It is just 3 miles from Church Stretton, 12 miles from Shrewsbury and 15 miles from Ludlow. Local attractions include Acton Scott Working Farm Museum, Stokesay Castle and Museum of Lost Content. Well behaved dogs allowed.
This not-for-profit organisation is based on the outskirts of the Peak District. Their mission is to provide access to the outdoors for all, especially young people and those who would not otherwise have the opportunity. Mount Cook offers a range of exciting outdoor activities including Archery, Bush Craft, High Ropes and Zip Wire. The purpose-built Centre can accommodate up to 140 guests in modern ensuite bedrooms, and a further 40 guests in Glamping Pods.
Ackers Residential Centre (ARC) is a purpose built accommodation set in 70 acres of semi rural land just 2 miles from the centre of Birmingham. Perfect for The Sea Life Centre, Cadbury World, Thinktank, The Bull Ring shopping centre, National Motorcycle Museum, the NEC. With 9 sleeping rooms, a fully equipped self-catering kitchen, dining area and a rec room with TV, DVD, games and comfy seating. Akers Adventure provide instructor led outdoor activities on site which can be incorporated into your stay.
Set in the heart of the historic spar town of Matlock, these newly renovated Glamping Rooms are oozing style and comfort. There is a cosy pub with open fires, home cooked food and a fully licensed party venue complete with beach garden. The Glamping Rooms are private areas, each with a shower room and kitchenette and beds for up to 7 guests.
In the heart of Hull, a few hundred yards from the marina and the Humber, this hostel is aimed at the individual traveller, small groups, cyclists and families alike. With flexible rooms including an en suite family room, it is perfect for visiting Hull’s art exhibitions and family friendly attractions such as The Deep and newly opened Hull Bonus Arena. Self-catering kitchenette. Coffee lounge in reception welcoming you and passers by.
With its own crags, streams, lakes & 100-acres of mature woodland, Shining Cliff Hostel has nature on its doorstep. Access is a ten minute walk, down a very rough track, from the nearest parking area. Paths lead through the woods to the A6 at Ambergate (20 mins’ walk) which has a food shop, pubs, buses and trains to Derby. The hostel is ideal for groups wishing to enjoy time away in a peaceful woodland setting.
A 300-year-old farmhouse set 1300 feet up in the beautiful Derbyshire/Staffordshire Peak District National Park. Five miles from historic Buxton and a perfect base for all the Peak District has to offer. The 2 sleeping areas sleep 14 and 6 - perfect for a small group or family. A 3 course breakfast and optional packed lunch / substantial evening meal are provided. Vegetarians catered for. Hot drinks can be made in the small kitchen. Ample parking space.
A mile from Castleton in the heart of the Peak District, Pindale Farm offers a range of accommodation. There's B&B in the farmhouse. The Barn has 6 self-catering units. The Engine House is a self-catering unit and The Powder House is a small camping barn. There is also a campsite. The ideal base for many outdoor activities. Instruction is available.
In rural Herefordshire, close to the Welsh border, Dunfield House provides accommodation for groups of up to 95 with sole use of the house, stables, parkland & swimming pool. From November to March the house & stables can also be hired individually by smaller groups. The house provides fully catered accommodation & the stables have a self-catering kitchen. A great choice for school, youth, music or church groups, training courses & family get-togethers.
Renovated to a high standard including double glazing and insulation, the Reckoning House is situated 3 miles from Bakewell. It is on the edge of the Lathkill Dale National Nature Reserve, full of interesting flora and fauna as well as outstanding geological features. Horse riding, fishing, golf and cycle hire are available locally. Local walks include the Limestone Way. Facilities include: cooking area, 4 calor gas rings (gas supplied), hot water for washing up & showers, storage heaters in all rooms.
A refurbished stone barn next to an award winning Peak District country pub, The Royal Oak Bunkbarn, is perfectly situated with direct access onto the High Peak and Tissington Trails (disused railways for easy off-road cycling). The area is also very popular with climbers and walkers with limestone gorges and stone circles to explore. The bunkbarn offers comfortable, clean bunk bed style rooms. The five separate bunk rooms are all heated and lockable. Campsite and holiday cottages also available.
Thornbridge Outdoors offers excellent flexible group accommodation. With its superb location in the heart of the Peak District you have access to wonderful countryside, interesting places and the traffic free Monsal Trail, popular with walkers and cyclists.
Sheen Bunkhouse is in a quiet corner of the Peak District, close to the beautiful Dove and Manifold valleys. It has a TV lounge, well equipped self-catering kitchen, two bunkrooms with wash basins and separate toilets & showers. The Manifold Track, Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail give easy access to beautiful countryside, ideal for families and cyclists. Dovedale, the Upper Dove Valley and the remote moors around Flash and Longnor offer stunning walking. Buxton, Leek and Bakewell are within 12 miles and Alton Towers is 20 minutes away by car.
This brand new hostel, in the historic old police headquarters, is in the heart of the city centre. A mix of private, en suite and dorm rooms makes it ideal for single travellers, couples and families. The communal spaces on the ground floor include an award winning café offering tasty breakfasts, great coffee and a super fresh lunch menu. Close to the bus station, just 20 mins from Bristol Temple Meads and perfectly located for Bristol’s best shopping from the independent shops of Park Street & Clifton, to big name brands in Cabot Circus or quirky market stalls in St Nicholas’s Market.
A live music venue and travellers’ hostel at the heart of Bristol’s arts and cultural area, Stokes Croft. Just 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre and bus station. This historic coaching inn is not a place for an early night, as guests get free entry to live music and DJ’s at the Full Moon’s Attic Bar. Beds are available in dorms and private rooms. There is kitchen, common room and a large courtyard with plenty of opportunities to get to know people from around the world.
The well equipped, community run bunkhouse at Y Dolydd Llanfyllin Workhouse is handy for Welshpool & Shrewsbury and close to the Berwyn Mountains. With access to a wide range of adventurous activities including Lake Vyrnwy, Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall (the tallest in the UK) and Revolution bike park. Venue hire for events welcomed, catering/bar available by arrangement. Visit the free History Centre to learn more about the building and the people who lived and worked in it.
Bristol's most central backpacker hostel. Clean & comfortable beds - mixed/single sex dorms - private rooms - individual bathrooms & free hot showers - free linen - large self-catering kitchen - free tea, coffee & hot chocolate. Late night basement bar - piano & guitar room - DVD lounge - free WiFi - luggage storage room - laundrette.
Run by backpackers for backpackers - No curfew after check in.
A beautiful Victorian building in the heart of Ludlow, extended to provide en-suite accommodation with twin rooms, a family room, and a room designed for those with limited mobility. Within walking distance of restaurants, shops and pubs and near to the Shropshire Hills and Mortimer Forest with miles of stunning landscapes to explore. Fresh towels, bedlinen, complimentary toiletries, tea- and coffee-making facilities, parking and WiFi included. Breakfasts available.
The Roaches Bunkhouse is at the foot of The Roaches gritstone edge in the Peak District. The area has some of the best climbing in the country plus walks and cycling in stunning scenery. An ideal base for climbers, walkers and cyclists. It has a drying room and bedrooms sleeping 2 or 4 in bunks. The communal area has tables and chairs, log fire, TV and board games. Self-catering facilities are available in a small kitchen. Parking available on site. Close to Ye Old Rock Inn and 3 miles the bustling market town of Leek.
The Boarshurst Centre is situated on the north western edge of the Peak District yet with easy road and rail links to Manchester (12 miles away). With 32 beds across 2 dorms and 2 leaders rooms the centre provides well appointed self catering accommodation for affiliated child, youth and adult groups from registered charities and organisations who seek to practice outdoor pursuits.BYO sheets and sleeping bags
Clean and cosy accommodation in a 17th century barn with a wealth of exposed beams and full of character. There is a fully equipped kitchen, central heating, hot water and showers. Clothes washing and drying facilities are also provided. Located just outside Bishops Castle in South Shropshire, perfect for walking on the nearby Stiperstones and Long Mynd. Ideal for cycling around Clun or just enjoying the real ale brewed in two of Bishop Castle's own pubs.
Overlooking Mam Tor, at the start of the Pennine Way, Edale Barn is a traditional camping barn or stone tent with a basic sleeping platform and a small communal living area. Within easy reach of the high moorland of Kinder and the wooded Derwent Valley. Adjoining the barn, but with external access, is a cooking area and separate toilet. There is no hot water or electricity. BYO sleeping & cooking equipment and torches. Pubs serving meals are within walking distance.
Tucked away in the tranquil Shropshire hills, close to Long Mynd & Stiperstones, Bridges Hostel is an ideal spot for walkers with the Shropshire Way passing close by. It is also handy for the End to End cycle route and good mountain biking routes. The hostel has a good kitchen, lounge with wood fire, drying room, shop and a large garden. Home cooked, home grown three course evening meals are available. Camping is available and there is a pub nearby.
Lockerbrook Farm provides remote accommodation for groups of 15 to 38 with with stunning views across Snakes Pass to the Peak District Edges. Sleeping is in two large dorms and six private rooms. There is a large kitchen and dining area, ideal for groups to self cater (catering can be provided) and an enormous activity room with lounge area and a splendid wood burning stove.
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.
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.
Bath YMCA offers great value accommodation. Centrally located, all the sights of this World Heritage city are easily reached on foot. With 210 beds, Bath YMCA specialises in making guests feel comfortable. Fully air conditioned lounge with TV, laundry, lockers, football table and WiFi. Couples, families, groups and backpackers all welcome.
Close to Hathersage and 2 miles west of Stanage Edge, the bunkhouses are on a family-run dairy farm. Popular areas for climbing, walking from meadows to moorland with fantastic views & mountain biking. Each bunkhouse is heated and has a living room, kitchen, bathrooms with two toilets, showers and washbasins. Sleep in dorms with bunks or the Hayloft has mattresses on the gallery floor. Camping is available. Secure bike storage and free parking.
Close to the start of the Pennine Way with easy access to Kinder Scout and the village of Edale via a network of footpaths from the doorstep. Castleton, Buxton, Bakewell and Chatsworth House are all within 40 minutes' drive. There are 2 bunkhouses each with a fully equipped kitchen and available for sole use by groups. Bring your own sleeping bags.
Just 2 miles south of Wantage, and only a few steps from the historic Ridgeway National Trail, Court Hill Centre enjoys breathtaking views over the Vale of the White Horse. Reclaimed barns surround a pretty courtyard garden. Providing accommodation to families, groups and individuals, the centre offers evening meals, breakfasts and picnic lunches.
There is a beautiful high-roofed dining room which retains the atmosphere of the old barn. A meeting/class-room camping and self-catering available.
All Stretton Bunkhouse offers comfortable, cosy, self-catering accommodation for individuals and groups of up to 10. It has easy access to the Long Mynd with walks and bike rides for all levels. It is within easy reach of the busy town of Church Stretton and just 10 minutes' walk from the local pub. There's a well equipped kitchen, a shower, two toilets and a tumble dryer. Sole use bookings may bring dogs.
Llangollen Hostel, in the Dee Valley is your perfect location for walking, cycling, canoeing and white water rafting. Families will love visiting the steam railway, horse drawn canal boats and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct - a World Heritage Site. The town offers a great choice of restaurants/pubs and is home to a fringe music and arts festival and the International Eisteddfod. Llandegla, Chester, Wrexham and Offa's Dyke Path are all nearby. A warm welcome awaits!
The John Hunt Base is situated in the High Peak on the site of Hagg Farm (which is also in this Guide).
The base offers comfortable, family friendly accommodation ideal for sightseeing, hill walking, trail running and biking as well as quieter pursuits such as photography. There is a picnic area, wildlife garden with fire pit and a playing field with climbing boulder. Activities can be arranged including climbing, stream scrambling, caving & on-site high ropes.
Foxholes Castle Bunkhouse, is situated within a relaxed, family-run campsite, with glorious views of South West Shropshire's beautiful hills. Just a few minutes' walk from the Shropshire Way, Offa's Dyke Path and the Sustrans cycle network, it is the perfect base for walkers, cyclists, photographers, families or couples. The lively town of Bishops Castle with its pubs, cafés, restaurants and take-aways is just a 10 minute walk away. In addition to the bunkhouse there are 2 cabins nearby. The Datcha sleeps 6 and the Eco cabin sleeps 8.
Next to a small campsite alongside Crowden Clough in the Peak District. Hire the simple barn and additional pitches on the campsite. There is space for cooking (BYO equipment and beds) and tables for eating. Toilets, sinks & showers are shared with the campsite. On a working hill-farm, the Pennine Way passes through the farmyard and there is great mountain biking locally.
Moored in the heart of Bristol's historic harbour, only a five minute stroll to the city centre. The Kyle Blue Hostel Boat is a converted Dutch Barge with private and shared cabins and a spacious upper deck providing fabulous views of the harbour from its tranquil lounge and well equipped self-catering kitchen. Great for independent travellers or small groups wanting to visit this vibrant city. Sleeping is in various sized cabins with private shower rooms. The Kyle Blue is moored in a residential area so no noise after 11pm.
The Rock n Bowl Hostel is in the heart of Bristol. It occupies 2 floors of an historic 1930s building with The Lanes, a bowling alley, bar and club venue on the ground floor (hostel guests get great discounts). With its huge range of rooms there will be a bed to suit your budget. And everyone gets a free breakfast! Facilities include a well equipped large kitchen, lounge with Sky TV including Sky Sports/BT Sports, laundry and free WiFi.
A unique and memorable venue for group stays. Situated in the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside with amazing views across the Great River Ouse, it’s easily accessible from the M1 but a world apart. The converted 12th century church can sleep 30 in bunkrooms, with modern facilities, an industrial style kitchen for self-catering and two breakout rooms. Youth group discounts available.
Waterslacks Camping Barn is perched on the edge of the Manifold Valley with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. BYO all camping gear including stove and sleep mats. Wills Barn is a fully equipped bunkhouse with stunning views of this unspoiled area of the Peak District National Park. A rustic log-burning stove provides heating and cooking facilities. Fenns Barn 4* self-catering holiday let and camping are also available
Close to Dovedale, the Manifold Valley Cycle Trail, Carsington Water, AltonTowers and the Roaches Rocks (great for climbers). Ideal for quiet group get-togethers/parties, families, cyclists, walkers, DofE, Scouts, school groups and team building.
Camping in the comfort of a remote cosy barn with log burning stove. No electric and no distractions, it is the perfect place to switch off from the hassles of a hectic life. BYO all camping equipment.
Cliffe House is set in 14 acres of woodland in rural West Yorkshire, just 7 miles from the Peak District. A centre for outdoor learning and conferences, ideal for schools and businesses, it is also available as a whole house booking to groups of families and friends. There are 10 bed rooms sleeping up to 72 people and three bright communal areas with seating for 40 people in each.
On Market Square, right in the centre of Nottingham, Igloo offers great value and comfort. Rooms are decorated using locally sourced, up-cycled furniture and feature street art murals. With a fully equipped self-catering kitchen, free WiFi, power showers, lockers, lounge, outdoor courtyard and laundry facilities. Igloo Annexe & Pods, offers further accommodation with the same standard.
Just outside Tewkesbury in the scenic River Avon Valley, with it's own lake. Accommodation is in cabins, a pod village, chalets and camping. Great for touring the Cotswolds, Malverns, Bredon Hill and the Forest of Dean. There are also a wide range of watersports activities and tuition on offer providing added interest for those wanting a more active holiday. A footpath meanders through the meadow to the River Avon, and free river fishing is available to all guests.
This area of central England has been chosen by the Independent Hostel Guide to display the bunkhouses, camping barns and hostels in Shropshire, Herefordshire and central England. The region covers an area of approximately 100 miles radius centred on Birmingham. Prime holiday areas include Shropshire, Herefordshire the Cotswolds and the
Peak District . This region extends to Cambridgeshire in the East and Shropshire in the West, as far as Bristol in the South and Manchester in the North. There are approximately 50 self catering bunkhouses and hostels in central England. Central England has a plethora of places to visit from well-known resorts such as Alton Towers, Warwick Castle and Birmingham Sealife Centre to the historic towns of Shrewsbury, Ludlow and Stratford upon Avon and stunning landscape features such as Wenlock Edge, The Long Mynd and the Wrekin.
The area has a selection of great walk routes including the Thames Path, The Cotswold Way and the Ridgeway in the south to Offa’s Dyke in the Welsh Marches. Birmingham, Stoke on Trent, Nottingham and Bath are great to visit for their shopping, events and history. Visitors to Nottingham can find out more about Robin Hood, the city’s historic public houses or the cave system that runs under Nottingham Castle. Birmingham is famous for its shopping, Cadbury world and Victorian City layout it also hosts many great sporting events and exhibitions at the NEC.
