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October Half Term at Earby

Due to a cancelation the 25th, 26th and 27th October are available. Ideal for 3 families to come together or an inter-generational family group. There’s loads on locally – Thornton Hall Farm Pumpkin picking, Day of the Dead canal cruises with Pennine Cruisers, Bolton Abbey Halloween Trail and of course its a great time to walk Pendle Hill for all its witchy connections.

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Halloween Earby

This purpose-built hostel opened in 1975

Built right alongside the Pennine Way in the market town of Alston (which is incidentally the highest town in England), this hostel passed into private ownership in 2006. It continued to be run under the Enterprise scheme and joined the Independent Hostel network in 2016. In 2026, Alston Hostel left the YHA affiliation and is now totally independent.

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Stunning Lake District Views

The Lake District is beautiful and our little slice is no exception. The valley of Kentmere is famous among walkers, especially those on Wainwright walks, so come join us and see for yourself.

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View of a valley, road, hills in the background

Fancy a bracing sea swim on Christmas, or New Years day?

Ocean Backpackers is situated on the stunning North Devon Coast and is Ideal for smaller groups up to 12 or larger groups up to 44, we have a mixture family rooms, dorms, doubles and one single. With a great communal living space and commercial style self-catering kitchen there is plenty space and equipment to host groups.

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Green Man, the perfect start or end point on the Lon Las Cymru

The start of the route if you’re travelling south to north or the end if going north to south on Lon Las Cymru. Directly on the route, bed linen is available, as is breakfast. Evening meals are available at the hostel or in the town of Chepstow.

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Dining room/ kitchen, wooden decor

Autumn half term availability in the Tudor Barn for 23, Suffolk

Up to 23 guests can enjoy our atmospheric Tudor barn. Enjoy the big outdoors in the day with activities on the farm, cycling on the country lanes or, if the weather is horrid, cosy up around the roaring woodburner, delve in the huge dressing up box and adults’ Tudor costume cupboard, enjoy huge puzzles and family games . Feast together in the underfloor-heated kitchen or at long oak banquet tables and sleep in Tudor splendour! Contact us with details of your group – number of guests, age range and preferred dates and we’ll get back to you with a quote.

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October half term farm stay in rural Suffolk

There’s lots of activities at Milden! . It’s super cosy, sleeps 22 and with it comes the use of 22 adult road bikes (children BYO) to explore our quiet Suffolk lanes. Or enjoy our farm trails, scavenge hunts and activity pack of ideas to do on the farm. If it rains, you can hunker down in the cosy sitting room with family board games and TV or head off to local National Trust properties for more inspiration.

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Spend New Year in the Lakes

Bring in the new year in the Lake District. Not only is it the most beautiful part of the country, but the fresh air and peace are also great for recovery the next morning.

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Calm lake, small rocks in the forground, trees on the right and a hill on the far side

Another hostel with a Royal connection

This impressive Georgian building was once part of a brewery. It was turned into a youth hostel in 1986 to replace Kendal’s Stone Cross Hostel which was deemed too large to be viable. Princess Ann opened Kendal Hostel officially on 30/3/87. Now in private hands, it joined our Independent Hostel network in 2013.

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Exterior of Kendal hostel howing the high street in kendal

Opened by the Queen.

On the 22 June 2011, the Queen opened Alnwick Youth Hostel. Operating under the YHA Enterprise scheme it joined our Independent Hostel network right from its early days in 2012.

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alnwick hostel

Autumn days and dark nights at Ninebanks

If you’ve not laid plans for the autumn half-term, then why not stay at our place? Country walks, exploring villages and Hadrian’s Wall. This 4 star hostel, in stunning rural Northumberland, has en suite bedrooms, a sitting room with log-burner and a spacious dining room. In the chalet are two high quality studio rooms, fully self-contained and separate from the hostel. Dogs welcome with prior notice for sole use or in the chalet.

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Spend Christmas in the Lakes

Christmas is a magical time of year, so why not spend it in the most magical place in the country? The Lake District will provide a stunning backdrop to your celebrations this year.

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Modern kitchen, wooden surfaces, white walls, dangling lights

A brand new bunkhouse opens in the Yorkshire Dales

Chapel House Gallery in the quaint market town of Hawes has just opened up it’s ground floor as a bunkhouse. This has got to be great news for all of you who love Wensleydale and the rest of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Run on the lines of a traditional bunkhouse, you can book by the bed, the room, or book the whole place for a gathering of friends or family. The bunkhouse sleeps 10 across 2 rooms.

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exterior of white former chapel