South England / South East England: Bunkhouses & hostels

Palace Farm Hostel

Palace Farm Hostel is a relaxing and flexible 4* hostel on a family run farm. Situated in the village of Doddington, (which has a pub!), in the North Kent Downs AONB, the area is great for walking, cycling (cycle hire available £10 a day) and wildlife. The accommodation consists of ten fully heated en suite rooms sleeping up to 39. Duvets, linen and continental breakfast included.

Court Hill Centre

Just 2 miles south of Wantage, and only a few steps from the historic Ridgeway National Trail, Court Hill Centre enjoys breathtaking views over the Vale of the White Horse. Reclaimed barns surround a pretty courtyard garden. Providing accommodation to families, groups and individuals, the centre offers evening meals, breakfasts and picnic lunches. There is a beautiful high-roofed dining room which retains the atmosphere of the old barn. A meeting/class-room camping and self-catering available.

PubLove The Green Man

Spend your night above a pub, 5 mins from Paddington Station and experience the real and exciting local London. Publove@The Green Man, has great transport connections to all the famous sites, 24 hour reception and bar, free WiFi, personal power sockets, bed screens and guest food & drink discounts. You can book by the bed or book a private room. There are friendly bar-staff who like to chat, so ask about places to go and the events happening because there's nothing better then advice from a local.

Old Brooder Bunkhouse

Comfy, farm self-catering in rural Suffolk close to historic Lavenham. Sleeps 20 singles in four bedrooms. Mix of oak bunks/conventional beds. Relax in cosy sitting room; BBQ, ping-pong, croquet & badminton in the garden; explore the farm, picnic in a meadow. 20 bikes included to explore quiet country lanes, or kayak down the River Stour, Go Ape, visit castles, print workshop courses.

The Barrel Store

Located in the heart of Cirencester, the newly converted Barrel Store provides stylish self-catering accommodation for up to 43 guests in 14 rooms. The rooms are designed to be simple but stylish and almost all are en-suite. Within easy reach of many well-known Cotswold attractions and accessible to transport links, the Barrel Store is perfect as a base from which to explore this fantastic area. Exclusive hire available, get in touch for details.

Gumber Camping Barn (formerly Gumber Bothy)

A converted Sussex flint barn on a working sheep farm within the National Trust's Slindon Estate. It provides simple overnight accommodation or camping for walkers, horse riders and cyclists, just off the South Downs Way, or a tranquil and remote location for you to get away from it all. Just five minutes' walk from Stane Street, the Roman Road that crosses the South Downs Way at Bignor Hill. Sorry but NO CARS. Not suitable for under fives.

PubLove The White Ferry

The White Ferry House is a stunning Victorian flat-iron building steeped in history. It provides accommodation in central London, close to Victoria, The Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. In the traditional pub atmosphere you can enjoy chilling out and playing board games, locally sourced drinks and award-winning burgers. There's a 24 hour reception, free WiFi, individual power sockets and guest food & drink discounts. Publove@The White Ferry offers a classic night out and a great location for exploring London by day.

Clink 261

One of London’s top backpacker hostels, Clink261 offers simple, comfortable, self-catering accommodation in the city centre. King’s Cross is a creative area close to the British Museum, Covent Garden & Camden Market or a short tube ride to Piccadilly Circus & Leicester Square. Guests can go round the corner to Clink78 (also in this guide) for entertainment and good value drinks at the ClashBAR.

Alpha Hostel

Just 50m from Margate's Blue Flag, safe swimming beach and next to the Viking Coastal Trail for walkers and cyclists. The beach is perfect for sand castles and water sport. Visit the area or stop-over on the way to Europe. Facilities include; two lounges, a dining room, and large self-catering kitchen. Families and individuals welcomed as well as school and other groups with sole hostel use. Classroom and catering available for 20+. Group self-catering also an option.

Harlow International Hostel

Harlow International Hostel is in the centre of a landscaped park and is one of the oldest buildings in Harlow. The town of Harlow is your ideal base for exploring London, Cambridge and the best of South East England. The journey time to central London is only 35 minutes from the hostel door and it is the closest hostel to Stansted Airport. National Cycle Route 1 passes the front door. Meals can be provided for groups. There's a children's zoo, orienteering course and outdoor pursuits centre in the park.

PubLove The Steam Engine

Book a bed upstairs, then relax on one of the snug Chesterfield sofas in this classy British pub in the heart of Waterloo. Everything you need is on hand, 24 hour reception, a beer garden for summer evenings, free WiFi, handcrafted burgers and the best of London's beers & gins. Publove @ The Steam Engine is a short walk from London's main attractions. Head to the river to see London in all its glory, Big Ben and the London Eye. Enjoy a classic night out in central London in the heart of British pub culture.

Clink78

In the centre of London in a 200 year old courthouse, Clink78 combines original features with modern interior design to create a friendly unique hostel. In the heart of King's Cross, with easy tube access to the whole city. The friendly team will happily help with your itinerary and provide discounted attraction tickets. Kitchen, games area, TV/film lounge. Meet new people in The ClashBAR.

Wetherdown Lodge and Campsite

An award winning eco-renovation in the heart of the South Downs National Park right on the South Downs Way National Trail. The perfect base for walkers, cyclists, business away-days and family get-togethers. The Lodge offers well appointed self-catering accommodation while the campsite has yurts and secluded woodland pitches. The centre has large grounds with woodland trails and a café. Pubs, shops within 2 miles.

Kipps Canterbury

Perfect for backpackers, visitors to Canterbury or groups. Close to the the city centre & Canterbury Cathedral. Ideal for visiting Dover, Leeds Castle, Whitstable & Herne Bay. Fully equipped kitchen, dining room, TV lounge, large garden with outdoor pool table. Free WiFi. Private rooms have TV/tea/coffee & mini safe. Dorms have free lockers

South Downs Bunkhouse

Perfect for walkers, cyclists, horse riders & others wanting accommodation in the South Downs National Park. The Lock family provide a warm welcome to this beautifully converted barn on a working farm on the South Downs Way. Equipped with microwave, fridge, toaster, kettle & BBQ in the courtyard. Houghton and Amberley have pubs and cafés within walking distance. Secure bike storage/ washing facilities. Horses welcome.

South Sea Rocks Hotel

Refurbished and reopened in Spring 2018. Southsea Rocks Hotel has a variety of rooms from 9 bed dorms to doubles. With En Suite options. Located within walking distance of South Sea Common, South Sea Castle and The Blue Reef Aquarium. It is also a great base for exploring the other attractions of Portsmouth including the Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum and The Mary Rose Museum.

The Privett Centre

In glorious East Hampshire countryside (AONB), the Privett Centre offers low cost, comfortable, short-stay accommodation in a unique rural setting. It has been designed to accommodate small to medium-sized groups who like to have the place to themselves. Outside a large paddock and asphalt playground provide secure and spacious recreational and parking space. It is available for weekday, weekend and day use all year. The Privett Centre is an ideal residential setting for family & friends' get-togethers.

PubLove The Exmouth Arms

Five minutes stroll from Euston Station and just 15 minutes' walk from the Eurostar at St Pancras, with The British Museum, Madame Tussauds, Regents Park and many of London's attractions an easy stroll away. Publove@The Exmouth Arms not only gives you a bed for the night, but also the great atmosphere of a British pub. Complete with pub quizzes every Tuesday, hand crafted burgers and a wide range of drinks including local gins and ales. Explore London by foot in the day, knowing you have a night of cracking PubLove ahead.

Chilterns Bunkhouse

Located on the National Trust's Ashridge Estate in the heart of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this bunkhouse provides rustic, basic accommodation which comprises two restored barns located amongst the woodlands and grassland of the estate. A well equipped, self-catering kitchen, lounge and outdoor eating area make it perfect for self-catering groups whilst the nearby village of Aldbury has two pubs. There is no mobile reception at the bunkhouse.

Puttenham Eco Camping Barn

Eco project on North Downs Way offers simple overnight accommodation in a beautifully converted historic barn. Self-catering (or local pubs for food within walking distance); three shared sleeping areas; garden with picnic bench and cycle shed. NO CARS ON SITE, even for off-loading. Nearest railway stations: Wanborough 3.5 km, Guildford 7 km.

PubLove The Crown

A hip hangout for locals and travellers, The Crown at Battersea has easy-going vibes. Check in and find your bed, then lounge on the cosy sofas with a tipple or get involved with some board games. Newly refurbished in 2018 The Crown is in south-west London on the lively Lavender Street. Hostel beds are in mixed dormitories, with WiFi, fresh linen, duvet and pillow, 24hr bar, reception and security all included. With food and drink discounts for hostel guests, experience the fun and lively atmosphere of PubLove culture in London.

Slindon Bunkhouse

This bunkhouse on the National Trust Slindon Estate has so much to offer all year round. In the winter months enjoy the benefit of the wood burner in the lounge, and in the summer enjoy a barbeque in the walled garden. Perfect for groups or groups of families wanting to get together and enjoy the fabulous South Downs National Park, its surroundings and the miles footpaths criss-crossing the estate.

Henman Bunkhouse

Perfect for groups wanting to walk or cycle around Leith Hill or beyond. This National Trust owned bunkhouse in the Surrey Hills AONB sleeps up to 16 in 6 and 4 bunk dorms. Well equipped with a self-catering kitchen, large dining table and comfy seating around an open fire. Walkers can directly access the Greensand Way and other local routes and there are many bridleways and tracks suitable for cycling. This is a great place for a holiday only 30 miles from London but in stunning countryside.

Octavia Hill Bunkhouse

Converted from former farm buildings, Octavia Hill Bunkhouse is located on Outridge Farm on the National Trust Toys Hill Estate. Sleeping 10 in two rooms it is the perfect base for families or groups of walkers wanting to explore this lovely area of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This bunkhouse has plenty of communal space and a well equipped kitchen for those who want to self-cater. Easily accessible by car, train and bus (the bus stop is just 15 minutes' walk away).

Cholderton Stonehenge Youth Hostel

Situated on a delightful family owned farm, this 4* youth hostel provides family/child friendly accommodation for groups or individuals. The hostel is located 8 miles from historic Salisbury with its cathedral, and only 5 miles from Stonehenge. Cooked breakfasts are available from the Ewe Tree Café and packed lunches & evening meals can be pre-booked. Guests get free admission to Charlie's rare breeds farm and large indoor play barn, just next door. Or why not explore the tree top trail, zip wire and woodland walk in the grounds.