Kirkby Stephen Hostel, is a former YHA hostel converted from a Methodist Church and has been independent since 2010. The old chapel has a range of accommodation for individuals, families and groups amongst beautiful authentic features; stained glass windows, arches, oak panels and stone covings. The chapel houses a large dining room and kitchen, with a lounge/reading room in the gallery. The bedrooms and dormitories are in a building at the rear and are mostly en suite. There is WiFi and a drying room. Kirkby Stephen is a pleasant market town in the upper Eden valley, situated 15 miles from Kendal, 15 miles from Hawes. It is on Wainwright's Coast to Coast path and the W2W (Walney to Wear) cycle path. It also enjoys easy access to the Lady Ann Clifford Walk, the Pennine Journey, the Howgill Hills, the Dales National Park and the Lake District. Paragliding is also available. The hostel makes an ideal base for geography field trips in the surrounding area. Standing prominently on the main street of Kirkby Stephen there is a range of restaurants, cafés, pubs, take-aways (including fish and chips) and food shops on the doorstep.