Have you been to a Youth Hostel?

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I'm just wondering if a few days away in any Youth Hostel somewhere in the UK might be fun? I like the idea of the not for profit type, community vibe. Although I'd want a private en-suite!

I've read about people taking children but not seen much recently.

Been in loads and was in one last week and will.be in another next week.
They vary greatly in terms of facilities and some are obviously more up to date than others but my experience is largely positive.

They are usually friendly places and mostly full of people that are travelling on a budget and enjoy meeting people.
I like having kitchen facilities to get the dc their own breakfast and things but lots if not most now offer a basic breakfast for a fee.

They are usually in places people want to visit as well which is another bonus so usually good transport links.

Last week I was in Central London for a night next week in the central belt in Scotland and using it as a base to take both ds's to Edinburgh and Glasgow for some today trips.

I was at the YHA in Cambridge with my daughter a few years ago (private en suite room). It was very nice. Like a cheap hotel room but there was a communal room. It was very civilised and pleasant.

The YHA in Cambridge is also in a great location and there is breakfast for a fee.

@GetDownkeith can you recommend any in particular? Thanks

They’re great. Vary depending on the location obviously.
What sort of location do you want?

The one in Cardiff was great. Basically like a hotel. Private rooms and bathrooms just a lot cheaper than a hotel

Yes, use all the time, so much better than they used to be. Clean, comfy, friendly and community vibe. Always book a private en suite though! Stayed in Bath, Cirencester and Bristol. Another advantage is they're really central to wherever you're staying.

We've stayed in a few, they're not the cheapest option anymore though. Private rooms over the summer are around £140 a night at our nearest one, and it's very basic accommodation. They're usually in beautiful places in interesting buildings with a fun atmosphere though. Sometimes they're full of school groups/scouts on trips so it can be noisy. The private rooms are usually a double and a set of bunk beds.

Almost like family rooms are ensuite. If you can go off peak/ throught the week then thee re great prices to to had, especially if you are a member. Whitby YHA is special.

Oh, and camping is often ridiculously cheap. Glamping at Windermere is fab.

The one In Leith,Edinburgh is like a hub hotel. They are fine for a cheap and cheerful break. Look on their website you can check out facilities.

I live just down the road from the Bath one mentioned up thread. It is a lovely walk down into town (or it is on the Uni bus route).

We've take. DD to quite a few (including Oz/Belgium/Netherlands), but also UK:
New Forest (near Brockenhurst - stayed in glamping bell tents - think you might need a car to get there)
York - about a 15-20 min walk along the river into town
Ambleside -right by the lake, short walk into the town, bus stop outside
Boggle Hole - very rural and very child-friendly (car park is 1/2 mile away)
Cornwall (St Just, near Lands End - great little hostel, but road down to house was pretty rough).

I’ve also been to the Cambridge one which was nice.

Stratford YHA looks like a mini stately home, and have stayed in a London one. Can’t fault any of them. Had family rooms in all of them.

I’ve stayed in several, central London (by St. Paul’s!), in Wales, Cornwall and Dorset.
All have be clean and comfortable.

Have stayed in loads of YHAs as we have three kids and YHAs have rooms that sleep 5 or 6, often with en suites but to be honest the ones with shared bathrooms/toilets on the corridor outside have been fine too. Favourites include Whitby already mentioned above - it's literally next to the Abbey on top of the cliff so the location is stunning. Also love Haworth (Bronte country) and have stayed there several times. Ravenstor, Hathersage, Hartington and Ilam in the Peak District all lovely. For cities York and Manchester were great. As a family we really value being able to partially self-cater, really keeps costs down on breakfasts, hot drinks and the odd pasta dinner. Plus we can make sandwiches to take out walking. Also the teens can be quite self-sufficient and hang out in the lounge/games room or in the grounds. We've been going since the kids were little though.

In our 60's, stayed at the Oban one a month ago. Really impressed, clean, well decorated and furnished, helpful staff, private room with en-suite. Paid for breakfast. Not as cheap as they were but was good value for our stay. Would use again but yes, can imagine a busy city one or one with a school party staying might be different.

Pwllderi is in a stunning location.
Castleton has big grounds. Good for children.
Edale is another favourite.
A friend enjoyed the Newport (Pembs) one.

We stayed in the one in Sheringham (for the seals). We had a private family room, but the bathroom was separate. We had a great time and it cost about £30 for a 4 bed room.

Many many times over many years! Which part of the uk are you thinking of?

I have stayed in one at Sheringham and the one at Wells Next The Sea and they were both nice.

Posters upthread. Are any of the hostels you mentioned close (so within a mile's walk or a bus ride) from a train station?

Forgot to mention that a lot of places also have drying and laundry facilities (which is useful for longer holidays).

I love Boggle Hole, right on the beach and a really special atmosphere and Keswick in the lakes has been renovated beautifully

Hathersage is @Madcats .

The YHA in Cambridge is right by the station from memory

I stayed in York, that was good. The one near Alton Towers was also good. Stayed in Sherringham twice- the second room felt like a prison cell and was the end of our YHA stays!