Have you been to a Youth Hostel?

[RedDoughnut]

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.

Hathersage has an open air pool, doesn't it?

DD is of an age where we will inevitably be schlepping around the country to look at Unis next summer (probably without a car). Notes that the train goes between Manchester and Sheffield.

Yes, have done Youth Hostels with DD and friends. We've stayed in rooms and memorably in a huge glampy tent.
Mostly in West Wales and Cornwall. Brilliant if you want to spend the day swimming/ sunbathing.

In the last year we've been to The Sill, Crianlarich, Alston, and we're going to New Forest later this year. Would recommend all of them (except New Forest because I've not been yet!), but they're all different.

@Madcats Crianlarich syha is on Station Road... On the Oban line which is pretty spectacular.

Alston is on the c2c route and popular with walkers and cyclists. Handy for Hadrian's wall, as is The Sill which is right by some picture postcard ridge line wall and mile castles.

Haven't in years but used to and bar one I was always surprised at how good they were

It does @Madcats . I fact I’m staying in Hathersage this weekend (although my hostel days are over) and going to the pool. There’s a few nice hostels in that valley. There’s probably a bus close to the Castleton one. Edale YHA is in a great setting but 30 minutes walk from the train station.

I've stayed at the youth hostel in Brighton (the one at Old Steine, there's another one which is not so nice). We were very lucky to have a newly decorated en-suite room with a sea view. There was a nice cafe/bar downstairs and a self catering kitchen for residents to use.

The location was fabulous with the beach, pier, The Lanes & the regency pavilion all on the doorstep of the hostel.

They are not single sex rooms anymore. Single gender.

Lots, depends where you want to go, some of them are in stunning locations, especially the Scottish ones, Boggle Hole is very nice, I’ve also stayed in the one off Oxford Street behind Liberties. Wales, Peak District and the Lake District have great options also.

Maybe if you narrow it down a bit.

A few also have yurts with log burners and cabins.

I've just remembered the Eden Project Youth Hostel.

The bedrooms used to be in windowless air-conditioned en suite shipping containers (slept 4) but they seem to have ditched those and replaced them with yurts, airstream caravans and fancy tents. They look lovely.

Plenty to think about here, thanks.

I don't really have any destinations in mind, Cotswolds? Peak District?
I've never been to Liverpool and the surrounding area

Peak District- Hartington Hall is lovely.
The hostels in touristy areas do get booked up quickly, but the booking staff are brilliant at finding something for you if you phone.