Borrowdale YHA, Nr Keswick, Lake District

Youth Hostels are fabulous for families. They are mostly in wonderful locations where you can walk from the door and usually see wildlife on your garden. Borrowdale YHA is a particularly nice one.

These days at most YHAs you can book a family room, which gives you exclusive use. There are meals available, or you can use the s/c kitchen to prepare your own. Varied facilities in hostel, but usually TV lounge, games room, boot/drying room, etc.

You no longer have to do 'chores' at YHAs like back in the olden days and they provide the bed linen too. It is usually bunkbeds though.

The atmosphere is usually very friendly among all the guests and staff. It's a great option for families with older boys who don't want to share a room with mum (they can go in the dorms), and for families with more than two children, who don't fit in Travel Lodge (or similar) rooms.

Finally, if you use TESCO vouchers, it's incredibly good value too.