The Pennine Bridleway is a 205 mile (330 Km) long National Trail running through the Pennines. It starts near Wirkswoth in Derbyshire and finishes in the village of Ravenstonedale in Cumbria. This relatively new route was officially opened in 2012 by Martin Clunes. Specifically designed for mountain bikers and horse riders. It is of course also perfect for walkers. Independent hostels are a fantastic source of great value accommodation along the route.
Pennine Bridleway
The Glenorchy Centre is on the edge of the Peak District National Park in the historic market town of Wirksworth. The High Peak Trail for walking, pony trekking & cycling, as well as Black Rocks for bouldering & climbing are within two miles. Nearby Cromford has Arkwright’s mills, a World Heritage Site, & Cromford Canal. Suitable for self-catering groups, the accommodation is well appointed with a spacious multi-purpose room & separate dining room.
Situated close to the Golden Lion Hotel in the idyllic village of Horton in Ribblesdale the 3 Peaks bunkbarns are available for groups or individuals. An ideal location for walking the Pennine Way and climbing the 3 Peaks (Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough & Whernside). The main bunkbarn has 2 large dormitory style bunkrooms, each sleeping up to 20 people. In the brand new second bunkbarn, there are four bunkrooms each sleeping up to 6 people.
There is a racked secure bicycle store for 20 bikes. Dorms for 2, 2x6 and 1x7. Matt, who runs the hostel is a keen cyclist and has all the kit should a running repair be required. He is happy to cook evening meals to coincide with arrival, or breakfast. As well as packed lunches. Lovely pub just 300 yards from the Hostel. What more could you want?
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Close to the start of the Pennine Way with easy access to Kinder Scout and the village of Edale via a network of footpaths from the doorstep. Castleton, Buxton, Bakewell and Chatsworth House are all within 40 minutes' drive. There are 2 bunkhouses each with a fully equipped kitchen and available for sole use by groups. Bring your own sleeping bags.
In the heart of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks country right on the route between Pen-y-ghent & Whernside & close to the Dales Way, Dales High Way, Pennine Way & Pennine Bridleway. This warm comfortable bunk barn sleeps up to 13 in three bunk rooms. Living room with cosy wood burner, spacious well equipped kitchen & garden with stunning views. Group bookings only at w/ends. Book by the bed or room Sun-Thurs (not b/hols). Dogs & breakfast by arrangement. 4 bed annex also available.
Kirkby Stephen Hostel is a great stop off if you are doing the Pennine Bridleway. As the hostel is in the centre of this small market town there are places for you to eat and shop. There's a lockable bike shed for you to use. Together with hot showers, good company, a comfortable bed and a remarkably low price you have the recipe for a perfect stop over.
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Simple, comfortable accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Hornby Laith Bunkhouse Barn occupies a secluded position within easy walking distance of the pretty village of Stainforth and the market town of Settle. It is within easy access of a wide variety of routes for walkers and climbers. Sleeping up to 5O, there is a separate barn containing a recreational area, extra camping and space for a marquee for events/weddings & ample parking. There’s a self-catering kitchen and full catering can be organised by arrangement.
Sheen Bunkhouse is in a quiet corner of the Peak District, close to the beautiful Dove and Manifold valleys. It has a well equipped self-catering kitchen, lounge, two bunkrooms and separate toilets & showers.
The Manifold Track, Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail give easy access to beautiful countryside, ideal for families and cyclists. Dovedale and the moors offer stunning walking. Buxton, Leek and Bakewell are within 12 miles and Alton Towers is 20 minutes away by car.
Next to an award winning Peak District country pub, The Royal Oak Bunkbarn is perfectly situated with direct access onto the High Peak and Tissington Trails (disused railways for easy off-road cycling). The area is also very popular with climbers and walkers with limestone gorges and stone circles to explore. The bunkbarn offers comfortable, clean bunk bed style rooms ideal for groups of 1 to 34. The five separate bunk rooms are all heated and lockable. Campsite and holiday cottages also available.
With unrivalled views of Pendle Hill, Downham Camping Barn is a short walk from Downham village pubs & cafes.
Popular with walkers, cyclists & DofE groups the recently refurbished barn sleeps 12 (BYO camp beds or roll mats). There’s a basic kitchen, sitting area, hot shower & WC. Photovoltaic cells provide power for limited LED lighting (but not for phone charging) and there is a wood-burning stove with fuel available to purchase. Outside there is a gas BBQ & fire pit and space for tents.
CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19. Trawden Camping Barn is a listed stone barn on Middle Beardshaw Farm. Surrounded by stunning landscape, the nearby village of Wycoller has been much used by film crews. The barn is large & open with an ancient timbered roof. The barn sleeps 37: 7 beds/bunks & 30 mattresses (BYO sleeping bags) with lots of communal space, a table tennis & pool table and a well equipped kitchen (in a separate building just 15m away). Pub & café just a short walk.
In the Three Peaks area of the Yorkshire Dales, The Dalesbridge has 8 stylish B&B rooms, 8 cabins with bunks, 4 glamping pods & over 100 camping pitches. There’s a cosy bar with log burner & wood fired pizzas at weekends. Two large conference rooms, catering services & a unique event tent makes Dalesbridge ideal for many events and conferences. The stunning local area is perfect for walking, caving & climbing.
Hebden Bridge Hostel offers a warm welcome, hot showers and comfy beds to cyclists and walkers on the Pennine Bridleway. It's a short walk/cycle to town where you can eat out, or stock up on provisions.
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With all of the Peak District National Park within easy access, the centre is an ideal location for activities and tourism and it welcomes a wide range of groups. 31 or 52 bed configurations can be booked.
The spacious centre includes; a large lounge with library, TV and wood burning stove, well equipped kitchens & dining areas. An extensive network of paths give access to the countryside. Adventure activities available, great for team building & courses.
Renovated to a high standard including double glazing and insulation, the Reckoning House is situated 3 miles from Bakewell. It is on the edge of the Lathkill Dale National Nature Reserve, full of interesting flora and fauna as well as outstanding geological features. Horse riding, fishing, golf and cycle hire are available locally. Local walks include the Limestone Way. Facilities include: cooking area, 4 calor gas rings (gas supplied), hot water for washing up & showers, storage heaters in all rooms.
The Pennine Bridleway is a 205 mile (330 Km) long National Trail running through the Pennines. It stretches from Derbyshire to Cumbria. This relatively new route was officially opened in 2012 by Martin Clunes. Specifically designed for mountain bikers and horse riders. It is of course also perfect for walkers.
Happy cyclists after a night at Earby Hostel The Pennine Bridleway follows a variety of surfaces including minor roads, aggregate tracks, grassed stone tracks, stone setts and worn flags. While some of these have been newly created specifically for the Pennine Bridleway others are drovers’ roads or packhorse trails that have been in use for centuries.
The route takes you through a wonderful variety of landscapes from open moorland to steep-sided wooded river valleys. It passes thorough both the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. You will pass a number of reservoirs which bring another dimension to the route. These were originally constructed to service the canals and the needs of the developing industrial cities of the north. More interest is provided by the evidence of the industrial heritage of the South Pennines. You will see derelict mills, dismantled railways, soot blackened gritstone walls and tall ivy-covered chimneys. It’s a route of contrast. It’s an adventure and a challenge and brings a great sense of achievement to those that complete it. For more details see the Pennine Bridleway’s own website .
All along the route there are a selection of independent hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns offering low cost overnight accommodation. Many have secure bike storage and drying rooms provide or hire out bed linen. Some provide breakfast and evening meals, others will point you in the direction of local shops and pubs. Read each hostel’s feature to be sure they are suitable for you.
Photos kindly supplied by the Pennine National Trails Partnership and Earby Hostel
