Hostels in Britain and Ireland: From Traditional Associations to Independent Providers
Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes Last updated on 4th December 2024
For a while now, it has seemed that depending on the long-standing services of hostelling associations is no longer as foolproof as might have been the case once upon a time. After all, Hostelling Scotland closed some of its hostels not so long ago and the YHA has been on a similar course in a much more obvious way, especially after the onslaught endured during an impactful pandemic.
Thus, it seems sensible to collect any good ways of finding and booking hostels as and when I find them when it feels as if the independent hostels sector has an ever-growing role in the provision of simple accommodation beloved (and often formerly beloved by the sounds of the opinions of some) by those seeking to enjoy the countryside. It is for the latter reason that I’ll continue to add to what’s here as and when I make discoveries.
What I don’t intend to do here is to build a rival to the likes of HostelWorld, so I am going to stick with collecting an eclectic bundle whose whereabouts on the web, I’d like to keep logged somewhere for others and me. It never ceases to surprise me where hostels and bunkhouses are there to be found and used.
Hostelling Associations
YHA (England & Wales)
Hostelling Scotland
An Óige
Hostelling International Northern Ireland
These still exist, and that seems to be the case for the foreseeable future. However, they seem to be unsure of their role in society these days and the YHA is the more example of the lot with its mix of offerings for school groups and families. They still cater for individuals and small informal groups, but many of us are left wondering if that has become less of a priority for them these days. Speaking of that, it doesn’t hide the membership pages as it did before, so could the YHA be rediscovering its roots? That would be no bad idea if it did.
For a time, it seemed that the Hostelling Scotland was following a steadier course, but the closures of a number of its hostels a while back took the shine off that impression. However, it does seem easier to secure last-minute bookings in their hostels than in the YHA, where that can be next to impossible. Is that because of the geography of Scotland? Maybe being in its own corner of the UK helps for more convenience, and it helps that the scenery is superb too.
Though I hail from the southwest of Ireland, I never have sampled the services of either An Óige or Hostelling International Northern Ireland. The latter is a part of the world that I scarcely have visited, which might can explain why none of its six hostels has seen my patronage. At one time, explorations of the country of my birth have been more limited than should be the case, so that’s why An Óige hasn’t seen me either.
All of these are part of Hostelling International or HI, so being a member of one organisation saves you temporary membership fees with the others too. Known these days under the shorter name of HI, the International Youth Hostel Federation, founded in 1932, is the world’s largest youth hostel network with over 60 member associations and 2,500 hostels across hundreds of inspiring locations. Like its member organisations, it too facilitates the provision of affordable, safe accommodation for solo travellers, couples, friends, families, and groups while promoting sustainable travel through its unique mission. All are encouraged to explore the world and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
Independent Hostels
Alnwick Youth Hostel is a historic town house located in Alnwick, Northumberland, which was once the home of the Dukes of Northumberland. Converted from its former use as a court, gaol and police station in 2011, the hostel offers ensuite accommodation for up to 57 guests across fifteen rooms. Its social spaces include a modern dining room, cosy lounge, and sunny courtyard. The hostel caters to cyclists with a dedicated cycle hub for storage and repairs. Situated within walking distance of Alnwick Castle and Gardens, Barter Books, and the Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick Youth Hostel is also only a few miles away from beaches and stunning coastline. The reception is open daily from 08:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 19:00 (19:30 April to October), providing guests with information on local attractions, days out, walks, and transport links.
Corris Hostel offers group accommodation amid the hills that separate Machynlleth from Dolgellau, within the Snowdonia National Park and Dyfi Biosphere. Renowned as an inviting retreat from external stress, it offers a special atmosphere with an easy-going ambiance, local art, chill areas, wood fires, and a library. Suitable for large groups, educational studies, and family celebrations, the hostel has 43 beds across various room sizes, open all year by arrangement, and minimum 2-night stays.
The hostel enjoys splendid views of Corris Village in the Dulas Valley and is close to numerous walking trails, off-road cycle roads, and the Dyfi Bike Park. With easy access to public transport and long-distance walks like the Traws Eyri route, it offers an excellent base for outdoor enthusiasts. Facilities include single sex dormitories, private rooms, family rooms, fully heated buildings, meals available locally, self-catering facilities, bike storage, showers, Wi-Fi, and dogs allowed by arrangement.
Dolgoch and Ty’n Cornel Hostels offer a genuine escape from the modern world, located in the secluded Tywi valley, with 20 beds in three rooms at Dolgoch and 16 beds in two rooms at Ty’n Cornel. The hostels provide comfortable accommodation for individuals, couples, families, and groups. Both hostels have wood burning stoves and are surrounded by the Cambrian Mountains, offering various activities like hiking, cycling, star gazing, bird watching, and peaceful retreats. Dolgoch and Ty’n Cornel cater to diverse interests with affordable prices starting at £15 per night for beds and whole rooms priced from £50. For those looking for private accommodation, Ty’n Cornel features a new shepherd’s hut with a shower room and kitchen area. Walkers, cyclists, nature lovers, artists, photographers, families, and anyone seeking peace and quiet will find something here.
Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust
It was while planning an escape to the Western Isles in 2008 that I first found this collection of three hostels. There is no advance booking (even Hostelling Scotland has been known to include them in its listings) so it’s a case of turning up and paying your dues. Given that the Harris, Berneray and South Uist are unlikely to get overrun, getting a bed for the night shouldn’t be an issue, but it might be best to bring camping gear just in case.
There cannot be many hostels that are converted Methodist chapels, so that’s one unique selling point for this option. That it is located among the quieter parts of the North Pennines is an added attraction, and this is an area that needs its low-cost accommodation options. There was a time it was part of the YHA network, so it’s good to see it still going in private hands; YHA hostel closures need not be the end of such buildings being used for that purpose.
The largest network of hostels and bunkhouses in the UK, Independent Hostels, offers an affordable and flexible alternative to hotels and cottages. With hundreds of self-catering options scattered across the UK, travellers can find all these accommodations in one place through their booking platform or The Independent Hostel Guidebook. The network prides itself on its sustainable practices and low commission fees, ensuring all payments go directly to hosts. Founded by Sam Dalley in 1993, IHUK has grown into the largest hostel network with various team members managing different aspects of the business.
Met Office location forecasts have this coming up as an option when Llangollen is the intended place of interest. That makes me wonder if this once was a YHA establishment. Whatever the past, the present is being sold by a pleasant website. That includes the delights of the surrounding area as well as the accommodation itself. That all looks rather pleasant and there is online booking too.
Malinbeg Hostel is situated in South-West Donegal, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Rathlin O’Byrne Island. A five-minute walk from Silver Strand beach and the Oughe fishing port, this unspoilt location provides opportunities for various outdoor activities like cliff climbing, scuba-diving, deep-sea fishing, and hill walking. Ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat in an ancient corner of Ireland with a rich history dating back 5,000 years to the Stone Age, Malinbeg Hostel offers modern facilities and clean, comfortable budget accommodation.
Until a more recent stay in Buttermere, this former YHA hostel had been the only one of its properties where I had spent a night. Any concern about its being lost as a hostel has proved unfounded, since it is being kept on as a more upmarket example of what can be done independently. The website certainly is laden with newspaper review quotes, and there is a five-star rating from Visit Wales. Unlike in the YHA days when breakfast might be served, Plas Curig is a fully self-catering affair and dorms are unisex now too, a concept that leaves me uneasy even if bunks come with curtains for the sake of extra privacy. There are some private rooms too for those needing a space to themselves. It would appear that effort and care is being lavished on visitors, so I hope they are doing well.
My inaugural trip to Skye was tinged with a sense of adventure. It marked my first solo escape from my place of residence anywhere in the world, and in a fit of perhaps imprudent spontaneity, I hadn’t pre-booked any accommodation. Additionally, I embarked on an ambitious bike ride between Portree and Dunvegan. Reflecting on it now, I realise that such risks are ones I wouldn’t take during Scotland’s peak tourist season today.
Fortunately, my boldness paid off, and I was able to spend my first night at the Portree Independent Hostel, which used to be the town’s post office. Although I had to find meals elsewhere, the hostel met all my overnight needs. Believing the dorms were mixed-gender, I opted for a different place to stay in Portree the following night, taking yet another chance. Between these different lodgings, I enjoyed a delightful cycle ride, with the early evening light on Skye’s west coast leaving as lasting an impression as the quietude that I experienced. On my way back to Edinburgh the next day, I made a memorable stop at Eilean Donan Castle, basking in glorious sunshine. It’s a moment from 1999 that spurs on my Scottish incursions to this day.
In addition to those operated by the SYHA, there are hostels operated by independent providers too, with Visit Scotland being known to accredit them and that gives assurance on the quality side. On my first visit to Skye, I sampled two of these in Portree, and they did what I asked of them, though I preferred the second to the first.
Friends of Nature UK is a British environmental organisation that encourages outdoor activities and respect for nature. It’s part of the global Naturefriends movement, founded in Austria in 1895, with over 800 houses worldwide. In the UK, the group offers affordable countryside accommodations with a strong green tourism ethos. They have four houses available for booking online (one of these is in Kirk Yetholm at the northern end of the Pennine way), each offering various amenities like well-equipped kitchens and sleeping rooms. Access can be by road or track, and all houses are listed on their website, while bookings can usually be made via email, phone, post, or web booking engines. All houses share common features and adhere to simple rules for visitors to respect. The group is run voluntarily by members across the country, with local groups taking pride in their properties.
This is another former YHA hostel that has come into private hands and retains its previous purpose. Usefully, too, it is near Grasmere in the Cumbria Lake District. Unlike some other places, it also has retained its single-sex dorms and expanded its food offer to include non-residents too. Also, as if to prove that the owners will turn their hand to anything, it is a registered wedding venue. The prices remain in line with those of YHA, and it is easy to make a booking through the website.
