Wales : Bunkhouses, hostels and camping barns
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Staying in Welsh independent hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns is a great way to experience Wales on a budget. The accommodation has self-catering facilities and welcomes stays as short as one night. In Wales you can experience the adrenalin rush of Snowdonia (Eryri), the stunning beaches of Pembrokeshire, the quiet back lanes of Mid Wales and the rolling mountains of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). The independent hostels and bunkhouses of Wales are ideal for exploring Wales by bike or walking some of its historic long distance paths. With over 70 hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns to choose from the Welsh independent hostels provide perfect accommodation in idyllic locations for family holidays, independent travel and groups.
Welsh bunkhouses and hostels
Escaping to Wales
For a long time, Wales has been a place of escape for those retreating from city life. The first bunkhouses were established in the climbing areas of Snowdonia (Eryri) around 30 years ago, providing self-catering accommodation for climbers. Welsh bunkhouses and hostels have multiplied over the years and there are now many, always in remote or stunningly beautiful locations. These are often open all year round.
The National Parks of Snowdonia (Eryri), the Brecons Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) and the Pembrokeshire Coast is well supplied with bunkhouses and hostels. These Welsh hostels and bunkhouses all provide ideal accommodation for walkers, cyclists, climbers, water sports enthusiasts, and lovers of the great outdoors. The coastal areas such as Ceredigion and the Gower also have plenty of hostels, perfect accommodation for families on holiday. In some cases close enough to walk or cycle between. There are some hostels with great locations straddling long distance paths like Offas Dyke and the Wales Coast Path. Swansea has the award-winning Cwtsh Hostel. Many of the hostels in Mid-Wales are in undiscovered areas with quiet roads and ancient villages. These are great locations for a cultural holiday discovering the past, walking on deserted hills, and hearing the Welsh language.
Accommodation for walkers, climbers, and mountain bikers in Wales.
Many of the hostels and bunkhouses are in areas sort after for their outdoor activities and stunning scenery, like Snowdonia (Eryri), the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) and the Pembrokeshire Coast. You can go mountain biking, climbing, and trekking in the hills and mountains or enjoy water sports and fishing on the lakes and in the sea. Wales is the ideal destination for outdoor activities and bunkhouses and hostels have the ideal facilities in their accommodation. Boot rooms, drying racks, equipment storage, and areas for washing down equipment are often available. Self-catering facilities are specifically designed for groups. This choice of self catering accommodation makes great value holidays.
Welsh accommodation for Groups.
All the hostels and bunkhouses in Wales are well equipped to provide self catering accommodation for groups. Facilities include large kitchens, equipped with everything you need to cook for large groups and dining & recreational areas large enough to accommodate your entire group. You can send an enquiry to a list of hostels and bunkhouses with exactly the facilities your group requires, using our group accommodation enquiry service.
Accommodation for Families in Wales.
Many of the hostels and bunkhouses in Wales have private family rooms, often en suite. So your family can relax in the privacy of your private room. While also enjoying the chance to socialise with others in the communal kitchen, dining, and recreational areas.
You will find family rooms in bunkhouses and hostels in many of the tourist areas. Notably, the seaside resorts and towns, as well as in the National Parks and in Cardiff and Swansea.
The Welsh for bunkhouse is Brycws as can be seen on the Welsh bunkhouse sign below:-
Touring Wales and independent travel.
Wherever you are touring Wales by car you will never be far from a bunkhouse or hostel. Bunkhouse and hostels are unique in that they provide self-catering accommodation where you can stay for as short a period as one night. Ideal for touring on a budget and something that you cannot find at a hotel, B&B, or self-catering cottage. But don’t forget to book ahead, especially in the peak holiday season. Of course, you don’t need to move on quickly. Many of the Welsh hostels and bunkhouses are in such prime locations that visitors stay for much longer, and return year after year.
Each Welsh hostel and bunkhouse offers you a unique experience
No two hostels/bunkhouses are the same. Each one is unique and reflects the surrounding area, the local outdoor pursuits as well as the interests and personalities of the owners. They’re full of Welsh personality and charm. The type of charm you can’t get from a chain.
Many of the Welsh hostels and bunkhouses offer outdoor activities for those of you that don’t have the equipment or the confidence to go it alone. You will find instruction in coasteering, kayaking, surfing, abseiling, mine exploration, gorge scrambling, orienteering, climbing, and many more. There is even a hostel that offers courses in coracle making and willow sculpture.
As well as having the chance to try out new and exciting outdoor activities there are other hostels that allow their guests to stay in truly remarkable buildings. How do you fancy staying in a castle? Or waking up with your head in the mountains at 900ft above sea level? You will find that there is a hostel or bunkhouse offering great value self-catering accommodation in such a place.