Skiddaw House Hostel, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QX

  • skiddaw house hostel on skiddaw mountain

Hostel on the Cumbria Way near Skiddaw and Keswick

Skiddaw House is a remote mountain hostel, accessible only on foot or by mountain bike. Make the most of the tranquil location by hiring the whole hostel with a small group of friends or family. At 1550 feet (470m), it is the highest hostel in Britain and is an ideal base for reaching the summit of Skiddaw or exploring the quiet Northern Fells. A former shooting lodge and shepherd's bothy on the Cumbria Way, the hostel offers simple yet comfortable accommodation. Solar panels provide hot water and lighting, whilst wood-burning stoves provide the only heating. There is no mains electricity, phone signal, internet or TV to distract from the beautiful surroundings. The hostel is self-catering, but our small licensed shop stocks everything you need to make a simple meal. The nearest road is 3.5 miles away. Guests are advised to bring a map and torch.
The highest hostel in Britain! Escape the crowds at this remote mountain hostel. Hire the whole place for a small group of friends and family, or book a room or bed. No roads, no other buildings, no phone signal: just uninterrupted beautiful mountain views. An easy walk or mountain bike ride from Keswick or Threlkeld. Rustic but comfortable with a wood burning stove, hot showers, a well-stocked shop/bar and full bedding.
Skiddaw House is a remote mountain hostel, accessible only on foot or by mountain bike. Make the most of the tranquil location by hiring the whole hostel with a small group of friends or family. At 1550 feet (470m), it is the highest hostel in Britain and is an ideal base for reaching the summit of Skiddaw or exploring the quiet Northern Fells. A former shooting lodge and shepherd's bothy on the Cumbria Way, the hostel offers simple yet comfortable accommodation. Solar panels provide hot water and lighting, whilst wood-burning stoves provide the only heating. There is no mains electricity, phone signal, internet or TV to distract from the beautiful surroundings. The hostel is self-catering, but our small licensed shop stocks everything you need to make a simple meal. The nearest road is 3.5 miles away. Guests are advised to bring a map and torch.

This accommodation is featured on our map of the Lake District and here is its own website.

Details

  • Beds & Rooms:

    20 : 1x8, 1x6,1x4, 1x2

  • Open:

    Open from April 2025. Check in from 5pm; please contact the hostel if you would prefer to arrive a little earlier.

  • Price per night:

    Enquire for individuals. Sole use from £500 per night. Min of 2 nights in winter. (YHA discounts apply).

  • Directions:

    Grid reference: NY 288 291. No access for cars, nearest road 3½ miles. Vehicles can be left at Fell car park by Blencathra Centre above Threlkeld, at Lattrigg car park (end of Gale Rd near Applethwaite) or at Whitewater Dash Falls south of Bassenthwaite.

  • Public Transport :

    Nearest trains and National Express coaches at Penrith. From Penrith take X4 or X5 bus to Keswick. From Keswick it is a 5 mile walk to the hostel.

  • Walks :

    Long Distance Walkers AssociationLong Distance Walks Cumbria Way
This accommodation is featured on the following pages
Eco Hostels Mountains Individuals welcome Youth Hostels Camping Hostels with log burners and open fires Retreats IHUK Community

Facilities

bSingle sex dormitories
cPrivate rooms
&Family rooms
dBedding provided
hSome areas heated
kSelf catering facilities
!Bike/equipment store (unlocked)
jShowers
lShop
uWithin 3 miles of NCN
yYHA Affiliated

Map

© OpenStreetMap Tiles courtesy of TraceStack

News & Offers from Skiddaw House Hostel

Find out more about the future of Skiddaw House

December 10th 2024

In September, Cumbria Wildlife Trust announced that they had bought the 3000 acres of National Park that surrounds Skiddaw House. Their 100 year plan is to return a 620 acre Atlantic rainforest to the area, restore peat bog land and hope to see more wildlife thrive on the fells.

Is Skiddaw House included in the purchase?  No. It remains in private ownership and is leased to the Skiddaw House Foundation, a Charitable Trust, who run it as a simple off-grid independent hostel affiliated to the YHA. The Foundation fully supports Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s purchase of this land and its plans for enhancing this remote and special landscape.

What does this mean for the future of the hostel?  The Skiddaw House Foundation are currently in talks with the hostel owner to extend the lease beyond 2027.

Find out more about the future of Skiddaw Forest here: https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/faqs/skiddaw-forest

skiddaw house with YHA and Independent Hostels sign
Latest News

Skiddaw House Hostel: a worthy nominee in the TGO Best Hostel Awards.

January 16th 2024

Little wonder that the unique and magical Skiddaw House Hostel has been nominated fro BEST HOSTEL in The Great Outdoors 2024 awards. Situated in wonderful isolation, 3.5 miles from the nearest road on the side of Skiddaw in the Lake District, it is the highest hostel in the country. The perfect base for walkers on their way to the summit of Skiddaw, for those doing the Cumbria Way or others wanting to explore the northern fells.

Vote for Skiddaw House Hostel here

TGO 2024 awards
Latest News

Latest Blog about Skiddaw House Hostel

Skiddaw House – Music on the Mountain

August 10th 2017

I had seen maps of Skiddaw Mountain showing the lonely Skiddaw House 1500m up on the mountainside miles from any road. I have admired photos of this old keepers house it its isolation but I was still unprepared for my first sighting of it.

Read More
Skiddaw House Eco Hostel
Latest Blog
skiddaw house hostel on skiddaw mountain

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