In June 2023 the YHA announced that it is taking a step back from the management of a third of its properties in England and Wales. 20 of these youth hostels are now for sale, each one presenting a golden opportunity for those wanting to escape the rat race.
Situated in some of the most beautiful locations in England and Wales, these YHA hostels offer individuals, couples and families the chance of a complete life-style change. Here is your opportunity to quit the drudgery of your nine to five job; the chance to wave goodbye to your slow and tedious commute and turn your back on the monotony of your day job and the stresses of urban life.
Running your own hostel business will mean that no two days are ever the same. During the course of each week you will meet a variety of interesting people from all walks of life. You will be your own boss, a role that brings with it a variety of interesting challenges and even more rewards.
Many of the properties have managers’ quarters, and at others there is space for you to carve out a rural home. If you have, or are planning, a family your children will be able to grow up in an idyllic location.
The YHA is offering on-going support to properties who wish to take up a YHA franchise, and all hostel businesses are offered support from the Independent Hostels network.
Many former YHA hostels sold in the previous decades were snapped up by individuals who continue to run them as very successfully businesses. Take a look at all these former YHA hostels that continue to provide hostel accommodation.
One shining example of a hugely successful business is Kettlewell Hostel run by Saul and Floss Ward. Having taken a leap of faith to buy the hostel in 2015, they kept their affiliation with the YHA and joined the Independent Hostel network. Injecting the business with their passion, dynamism and personality, they have never looked back. In 2020 they won the YHA award for being the highest ranked hostel for customer satisfaction in Western Europe.
Skiddaw House, halfway up a Skiddaw mountain and totally off-grid, is an example of a leased hostel that has been run successfully as a private business with help from the YHA and the Independent Hostel network.
Interested? Tempted to change the direction of your life? Here are a list of hostels which are currently for sale.
YHA Hostels for sale June 2023
Hostels for sale which are already independently owned.
Alston Youth Hostel
Àite Cruinnichidh Hostel
Corris Hostel
Snowdon Lodge
Borth Youth Hostel
Llandudno Hostel
Torran Bay Hostel,
Kettlewell Hostel, Yorkshire
Ninebanks Hostel, North Pennines
Witherslack Cycle Barn, Lake District
Kendal Hostel
Bute Backpackers
If you think you might be interested in owning and running a hostel you can find the sale details here Hostels For Sale