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Hostels and Bunkhouses in National Parks

The spectacular National Parks in England, Scotland, and Wales boast a wonderful selection of hostels and bunkhouses.

These hostels and bunkhouses offer great value, flexible, self-catering accommodation to the many and varied visitors to the National Parks.  Singles, couples, families, groups of friends or families, clubs, etc all enjoy the friendly atmosphere and communal ethos that hostels and bunkhouses offer.

If you go to the map you will see all the hostels and bunkhouses in the National Park you want to visit. Click on the red marker and again on the hostel name and you will get all the key information about that hostel or bunkhouse; the number of rooms, the facilities, the price, etc.  Scroll further down for contact details and the link to the hostel’s own website.

To help your search you can use the ‘Find by’ tool at the top of any hostel’s page. Search by your preferred ‘location’, the hostel’s ‘facilities’, ‘activities’ in the area, and/or ‘availability’. Don’t forget, hostels and bunkhouses allow guests to stay for as short a period as one night. Of course, you are most welcome to stay for much longer!

 What is the difference between a hostel and a bunkhouse?

Each hostel and bunkhouse is unique so it is important to explore our database. Some are very large and can cater to clubs and big family/friend get-together’s. Others are much more cozy with just a few beds. Some have just dormitory-style rooms whereas others also have private or family rooms with either bunk or conventional beds.  The difference between a hostel and a bunkhouse is very woolly. Often the name is historic and while the accommodation has evolved over the years, the name has not.  You may also come across a number of camping barns in some of the National Parks. These are much more basic and are often little more than a ‘stone tent’. You will most likely need to bring all your own sleeping and cooking equipment. However, they are some of the best value for money forms of accommodation you can find.

The history of National Parks and the history of hostels and bunkhouses.

There are now 15 National Parks in the UK. The newest, the South Downs, was established in 2010. But the first National Park to be designated was the Peak District in 1951.

The history of the National Parks is fascinating. The impetus to form National Parks started some 20 years earlier with The Mass Trespass on Kinder Scout in 1932.  In the years that followed organisations such as the Rambler’s Association, the Youth Hostels’ Association (YHA), the Council for the Preservation for Rural England (CPRE) and the Council for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) rallied together to lobby the government for measures to protect and allow access to the countryside. Which has hugely benefited the nation.

Hostels and Bunkhouses in the Mountains.

The mountains of England, Scotland and Wales boast a wonderful selection of hostels and bunkhouses. They offer great value self-catering accommodation in stunning mountain locations. These hostels and bunkhouses have grown up over the years to meet the accommodation needs of the hundreds and thousands of visitors to the UK’s spectacular mountain ranges such as the Cairngorms and the Grampians in Scotland, the Cumbrian Mountains and the Pennines in England and Snowdonia (Eryri) and the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) in Wales.

In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a mountain is usually defined as any summit at least 2,000 feet (or 610 metres) high, whilst the official UK government’s definition of a mountain, for the purposes of access, is a summit of 600 metres or higher.

Self-catering Accommodation for Mountain Adventurers.

Whatever your passion, be it mountaineering, hill-walking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, scrambling, mountain biking, Munro or Wainwright bagging, golf, canoeing, kayaking or canyoning you are sure to find a hostel or bunkhouse close to your chosen area.  Use the map (enlarge it as necessary) as a quick and easy way of finding the closest accommodation to the area you want to visit.

Many of these hostels have been specifically designed with mountain sports enthusiasts in mind. Indeed some are run by mountain guides and offer guidance and lots of advice. Others are outdoor activity centres and you can hire equipment and provide instruction. The facilities will typically include a boot room, drying facilities, equipment storage, robust central heating, plenty of hot water and large comfortable bunks.  Along with a warm welcome, great company and lots of local knowledge.  Click any of the red flags on the map above and you will get to our feature of that hostel or bunkhouse with all relevant details.  Scroll down that page and you can link to the hostel’s own website for even more information.

Hostels and Bunkhouses for Mountain Lovers.

You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to feel at home in the mountain hostels and bunkhouses.  Almost all the hostels and bunkhouses in the UK’s mountainous regions are accessible by car and provide low cost, self-catering accommodation as you tour the mountain ranges.  Uniquely hostels and bunkhouses are the only type of self-catering accommodation that you can book for just one night.  Of course, you can book for much longer too! Photographers, wildlife watchers and nature lovers whether they are individuals, families or groups of friends are all frequent visitors to the mountain hostels and bunkhouses in the UK.  You will also find that many hostels and bunkhouses in the mountain regions also have private and family rooms.

Hostels and Bunkhouses in the Mountains of Scotland

You will find hostels and bunkhouses in all the main Scottish mountain areas.  In the Cairngorms at the eastern edge of the Grampian mountains; around Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain; in Fort William, the spiritual home of downhill mountain biking and near to the Cullin Ridge in Skye, said to make the experienced walker’s heart flutter!

Knoydart Bunkhouse on the remote peninsula of Knoydart is ideal for mountain lovers. Cut off from the Scottish mainland by rugged, mountainous terrain with few paths, Knoydart is home to 3 Munros including mainland Britain’s most westerly, Ladhar Bheinn. A National Scenic Area with miles of stunning walks, both high up and in the glens. Knoydart is also a haven for coastal and land-based wildlife. Bring walking boots and binoculars and you’re set for a holiday to remember.

A holiday by the sea is perfect for all ages. Children love nothing more than playing in the sand on one of the UK’s thousands of beautiful beaches or stepping into the sea for the very first time. The anticipation of seeing the water for the first time after a long car journey and it making their faces light up is almost worth making the trip on its own. The country’s stunning coastline provides walkers with miles of paths to explore and enjoy. Finding a “hidden cove” where most won’t venture and spending an evening in a peaceful place with just you, the sand, and the waves is an incredibly tranquil experience guaranteed to relax even the most stressful of souls. Hostels by the sea provide an affordable way to stay in some of the UK’s best locations.

Why stay in a hostel by the sea?

Each bunkhouse and hostel by the sea is unique. They come in all shapes and sizes, from just 4 or 6 beds to over 100. Some are in modern purpose-built buildings, whereas others have been converted from former schools, barns, fisherman’s cottages, or country houses. Some hostels and bunkhouses by the seas offer extra accommodation in yurts or bell tents. Others allow camping on their grounds.  Why not take time to explore the map?

Have a look at the map of the coast of Britain and see for yourself all the wonderful places you can stay. Remember lots of hostel and bunkhouse accommodation can be booked for as short a period as one night. So it is perfect for stop-overs to break your journey or for a touring holiday.  But many guests prefer to stay for longer, to make the most of the idyllic locations so many of these hostels and bunkhouses are in.

Hostel and bunkhouse accommodation often includes small private rooms, which are perfect for families or couples. While large family gatherings and groups of friends often book the whole hostel out on a sole use basis.  So they can enjoy having the whole building and all its facilities to themselves.

What to do

Staying in a hostel by the sea allows you to take part in some amazing activities that only the coastal areas of the country can offer. Water sports are prevalent in coastal towns. Sailing on the open ocean is an unmissable experience. Surfing in Cornwall is exhilarating but if you’re looking for a more relaxing day then why not go fishing? You might even catch your dinner.

Wildlife lovers are spoiled for choice, you could go looking for rare sea birds that make their home on the cliffs and shorelines or out to sea on a guided tour and the astounding local knowledge will guide you to see seals and other creatures that call the British coastline their home. Although the most reliable way to get up close and personal with British wildlife is to buy some local, delicious fish and chips and then wait for the inevitable seagull raid to take place.

Accommodation near to pubs.

When you are choosing a hostel or bunkhouse there will naturally be many things that will influence your choice. For many people choosing hostels which are near to pubs is very important. Hostels in the Independent Hostel network that are situated close to pubs prove very popular and booking is always advisable, especially in peak season.

Fortunately, many hostels and country pubs go hand in hand and there are so many bunkhouses and hostels in the network which are within a short walk of a pub. The map shows the location of hostels near pubs.

Barrington Bunkhouse, is very near to the pub and on the C2C cycle route and the Pennine Journey

Why are Hostels near pubs so popular?

There are many reasons why people choose to stay in hostels or bunkhouses close to pubs.

All hostels and bunkhouses are self-catering with kitchen and dining facilities. For the most part, guests enjoy the flexibility and the economy self catering brings. However, there are occasions when a quick walk to the pub nearby is just what is needed.

After a busy day out in the countryside, walking, cycling, climbing or whatever your passion you may not feel like cooking your own meal for once, so what could be easier than taking a very short walk to the nearby pub and treating yourself to a hearty home cooked meal.

Often guests find that on their first evening they are tired after a long journey. Rather than cooking for themselves, they will start their holiday off with a visit to the pub nearby for some pub grub and a pint while they plan the next few days. Others like to finish their stay on a high, with a hearty meal at the pub down the road.

Then there is always that awful situation when you discover that you haven’t got enough food for the evening meal.  What an enormous relief to know that you are staying in a hostel near to a pub.

Just go for a drink

You may decide after cooking for yourself at your accommodation to pop over to the pub for a pint of the local real ale.  There isn’t a better way to meet the locals, learn more about the area and get a feel for the community you are visiting than sitting and chatting to the regulars in the pub.

Dog friendly accommodation in hostels and bunkhouses:

All our dog friendly accommodation is shown on the map. There are so many hostels and bunkhouses in the Independent Hostels network that would love to welcome you and your dog. We have dog friendly accommodation throughout the UK, from Sussex to the Scottish Highlands. You will even find places to stay with your dog on some of the Scottish Islands. These dog friendly hostels and bunkhouses are often ideal locations for holidays with your dog. There is a wide choice of hostels and bunkhouses in awe-inspiring locations in the National Parks of Britain. Many are dotted along the UK’s stunning coastlines, ideal for coastal walks and most are in rural locations. From your dog friendly accommodation, you can explore seaside towns, wild moorlands, historic battlefields, and ancient hills. You can walk through woodlands, along picturesque rivers, through hidden villages, and across our green and pleasant land.

Why bring your dog on holiday with you

Once you have established that the hostel or bunkhouse you wish to stay in welcomes dogs be sure to pre-arrange your visit with the hostel manager.  Some hostels and bunkhouses have a limited number of dog friendly rooms and the managers will need to check availability.  Other bunkhouses have a policy of only one dog staying at a time in an effort to prevent doggy conflicts. Some of the hostels are on farms where livestock and farm dogs are around. Always keep your canine friends on a lead unless you have been informed otherwise.

Here are some examples of  Dog Friendly Accommodation from the Independent Hostel Network

Here are some stories from just a few of the hostels and bunkhouses providing dog friendly accommodation in our network. Deepdale Rooms and Camping in North Norfolk has dog friendly rooms in the hostel as well as a dog friendly Tipi and their website also has a guide to the area which tells you about dog friendly pubs, cafés, and beaches as well as ideas for walks.

Pentre Bach Bunkhouse in Snowdonia is an eight-minute walk from a local pub that welcomes dogs in the bar additionally there is a sheepdog trainer next door and you can often see him training his collies. The accommodation is dog friendly and the 250-yard track to the barn has grassy areas all the way down. Making it ideal for constitutional walks.

Gilfach Wen Barn welcomes dogs and is adjacent to the Brechfa Forest and not far from the Brecon Beacons.  The forest is designated as a dog friendly tourism destination by Carmarthenshire County Council because of the wide range of tracks and trails on which walkers have the right to roam through the forest. What could be better for your lovely long dog walks?

New Ing Lodge is on the Coast to Coast path and most of their canine visitors have walked a long way before reaching them (probably at least twice as far as their owners!).  That’s why there is a dog bed available so they too can have a comfortable rest for their tired paws additionally they have large grounds at the back of the building for the dogs to stretch their legs as well as a walled garden in front of the house so you can let your dogs run off lead.

So what are you waiting for?

As you can see there is really no reason at all why you should leave your dog at home or in kennels when holidaying in Independent Hostels. Independent hostels offer great value accommodation and provide even better value when you don’t have the extra cost of kennelling on top of your other expenses making the only difficult decision to make is where to go. But with so many options to choose from because there is certain to be the right holiday destination for you and your dog. So wherever you fancy going, you’ll find an independent hostel perfect for you and your four-legged friend.

Luxury Bunkhouses and Camping Barns

Of course, all the hostels and bunkhouses in the Independent Hostel Guide are lovely places to stay but some do go the extra mile to add a bit of luxury to your group holiday. These bunkhouses and camping barns offer great value accommodation with added comfort. Get away together in style with Independent Hostels.

Our luxury Bunkhouses still have shared bedrooms, mostly with bunkbeds but they all have high-quality mattresses, and will provide bed linen and in some cases even towels.

Many of our luxury bunkhouses and camping barns have been purpose-built meaning the architect and owners have been able to design everything a group needs.

Most Luxury camping barns have en suite facilities but even where washing facilities are shared these are usually modern bathrooms with good quality hot showers and a few extras to make your stay that little bit special.

It is the communal area where most of these bunkhouses and camping barns put in extra comfort. They have well-decorated, modern, and well-equipped kitchens, large dining areas, and sumptuous soft furnishings in the sitting room.