The Great North Trail begins in the southernmost part of the Peak District, the beautiful, sleep village of Wirksworth. Why not start your Great North Trail the right way by staying at the Glenorchy Centre before setting off?
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Big big welcome to Smithys Bunkhouse
This cosy bunkhouse near Abergavenny in the Black Mountains has just joined our Independent Hostel network. There are mountain routes up to Skirrid, Sugarloaf and Blorenge from the doorstep and for cyclists Sustrans 42 and the Lon Las Cymru run close by. Available on a sole-use basis, the bunkhouse sleeps a max of 24 and is always popular with groups of friends & families, outdoor enthusiasts, walkers, cyclists, clubs and youth groups. There’s a pub which serves meals at the end of the drive to the bunkhouse. Why not gather a group together for a few days of adventures?
Exploring East Lothian for the School Holidays
Coasts to castles, forests and hills, we really do have everything for the family on our doorstep. Located in Dunbar, the Dolphin Inn is the perfect base for your adventure on Scotland’s east coast.
“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.
CYP Holidays Callander is perfect for a Great North Trail stop off and here’s why…
The Great North Trail passes directly through Callander so stopping off at CYP Holidays is a no-brainer.
Accommodation in Northumberland National Park, perfect for Great North Trail cyclists.
Gibbs Hill Farm Hostel in Northumberland National Park is no stranger to cyclists on the Great North Trail.
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!
Raydale Barn in North Yorkshire on the Great North Trail is ideal, low-key accommodation!
This basic, off-grid accommodation is perfect for Great North Trail cyclists who need a safe, warm place to sleep before continuing their journey. Raydale Barn provides all the necessary creature comforts for a good night’s sleep and nothing more to ensure your experience is low-key and connected to nature.
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!
Design your dream affordable, farm-style wedding in Shropshire
Fordhall Farm is a community owned farm in Shropshire that helps people reconnect with nature and escape the stresses of everyday life. It is also the location for many beautiful weddings.
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.
October Half Term in the Woods!
Shining Cliff hostel (the hostel in the woods) is perfect for an October escape…
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!
No plans for the Bank Holiday Weekend? Grab this great value opportunity to explore the Wye Valley and Offa’s Dyke.
Come and stay in our quirky bunkhouse and glamping horsebox. Book a room or the whole place for a gathering of friends. Not only are we in a stunning location but we also have a cinema, skate park, and 2 acres of grounds with hot tub, fire pit, pizza oven, and animals. What’s not to love?
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.
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.
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.
Cycling The Great North Trail through the Peak District.
As The Great North Trail stretches through the Peak District, Pindale Farm is a beautiful location to rest for the night.
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?
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. In 2026, Bridges Hostel left the YHA affiliation and is now totally independent.
