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“I loved being in this wonderful old house”

We love Bwthyn Bach and our customers do as well. One recent review read “I stayed in your hostel last weekend. It was a very interesting stay and I loved being in this wonderful old house. Thank you so much for keeping it original and real.” Come see for yourself why so many love it here.

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Tudor style building. White walls, black timbers and red doors.

This former manor house became a permanent youth hostel in 1961

PERMANENTLY CLOSED ON 3rd MARCH 2024. Derwentwater Independent Hostel has had an interesting history. Built as an impressive manor house overlooking the lake, known as Barrow House, it later became a grand hotel. It is surrounded by extensive grounds which include Barrow Falls, an artificially created series of waterfalls allegedly inspired by the nearby Lodore Falls. In 1931 a small section of it opened briefly as a hostel for a few months. What happened in the intervening years is not known but it didn’t open again as a youth hostel until 1961. This time the whole mansion was used as accommodation. In 2011 the running of the hostel transferred to Derwentwater Youth Hostel Ltd. and in 2012 it joined our Independent Hostel Network. A tip for guests, have a look at the plasterwork in room, it’s amazing!

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Derwentwater Independent Hostel

An affordable and unusual wedding to remember in the Lake District

PERMANENTLY CLOSED ON 3rd MARCH 2024. Derwentwater Independent Hostel is the perfect venue to accommodate wedding guests. Watch as the building and surrounding gardens change seamlessly from ceremony to dinner to party. Derwentwater Independent Hostel offers a flexible amount of beds in grand rooms made of original Georgian architecture, for an affordable price!

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this image depicts a lot of wedding goers out in the woodland as the hapy bride and groom prepare to tie the knot

Morags Lodge; a sceneic stopover on the Great North Trail

The Great North Trail is a 180-mile cycle route that starts in the Southern Peak District and ends in the most Northern part of Scotland. The trail briefly passes through Fort Augustus, a small, picturesque village at the most south-westerly tip of Loch Ness. Fort Augustus is most famous for its spectacular views of Loch Ness and, while cycling the Great North trail, stopping off to spot these amazing views should be a no-brainer.

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Explore your creative side!

Both Lowry and Turner were big fans of Northumberland and with its rich landscape, stunning coastline, romantic castles, pretty gardens and beautiful light, it’s easy to see why!

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This historic hostel has been welcoming guests since 1933!

Edmundbyers was opened in 1933 by the Youth Hostel Association. Apart from closure during the war years, it has been in constant use ever since. In 2014 it was sold into private hands but continued as a youth hostel operating as a YHA affiliate. In 2016 it joined our Independent Hostel network, and continues to operating to this day as part of both networks.

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A spellbinding wedding in a castle…

Find out which is the best package for you – Midweek, Weekends or Wednesdays – or if you are in the Armed Forces/Emergency services, we have a great deal for you – also check our our Last Minute Dates or go for our Ultimate Package or even spread your wedding over 2 days – quite simply at Craig Y Nos Castle you are spoilt for choice.

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A picture of Craig y nos castle taken from up high

Stop off in Edinburgh during the Great North Trail

The Great North Trail, which starts in the Southern most part of the Peak District and ends in the most Northerly part of Scotland passes through many amazing places such as Edinburgh. If you are taking this amazing trail as a more leisurely pace, why not stop off in Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh? You can take in some of the amazing sights and experiences the city has to offer.

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Edinburgh castle via the great north trail

Short breaks in the Lake District in this fantastic group accommodation centre

Enjoy a family and/or friends get-together at Hawse End Centre in the Northern Lake District. The area is still as beautiful as ever and possibly a little less busy than in the summer months! Choose from the cottage (sleeps 24 across 7 bedrooms) or the main house (sleeps 49 across 10 rooms). Or for that extra big occasion book both! You can opt for self-catering or treat yourselves to a catered package. What’s more, a whole range of outdoor activities can be organised. Perfect if you want someone else to take the strain of entertaining everyone. What better reason do you need to book a fun-packed mini-break?

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This former school started taking in overnight guests in 1931

In fact, Bridges Long Mynd Youth Hostel can claim to be the second longest serving hostel in England. The longest being YHA Street (Somerset). In the 50’s it was known as the Hugh Gibbins Memorial Hostel. In 1991 it moved into private hands and became one of the earliest YHA Enterprise Hostels. In 2009 we welcomed Bridges into our Independent Hostel network

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Exterior with bell tower

Through the keyhole…

Here at Seahouses Hostel, we are lucky enough to have a lovely, large, enclosed garden for all our guests to enjoy – and a great play area for children to have fun! The garden is used frequently for relaxation after a busy day of sightseeing; for fun and games; and for a variety of activities including arts, crafts and on occasion even camping!

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End your Coast & Castles cycle route with the view of a castle from the comfort of your hostel!

Generally, the Coast & Castles cycle route begins in Newcastle and is completed in Edinburgh. Once you have cycled the mighty coastal route, Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh welcomes you with open arms. The most special thing about Castle Rock Hostel (aside from being an all-around great place) is that it has views of Edinburgh Castle from the doorstep! You can sightsee Edinburgh without even leaving the comfort your bed! Which might be exactly what you need after a long bike ride…

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Castle rock hostel on the Castles to Coast route

Opened by the YHA in 1978 and still going strong

Built in 1886 as a Methodist chapel for the village’s mining community, Greenhead Hostel was opened as a 40-bed hostel by the YHA in September 1978. After 28 years as a YHA hostel it was sold into private ownership in 2006. Initially it joined the YHA Enterprise scheme but pulled out in 2010, when it was sold for a second time. It was at this time, in 2010, that the hostel joined the Independent Hostel network. The hostel is run alongside the Greenhead Hotel, bar and restaurant on the opposite side of the road. Greenhead Hostel is perfectly located for stop-overs for walkers on Hadrian’s Wall and The Pennine Way.

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Greenhead Hostel Hadrians wall