Youth hostels

[Nothanksreally]

I’m a single parent to 4, I would like to take them away in the uk but find it tricky finding a place for 5 within budget, premier inn is great and cheap but doesn’t allow 5. Someone suggested youth hostels to me but they sound awful to me 😩 am I just being silly? Do other families use them? I wouldn’t be keen on any shared spaces with other families but was told it’s no different to breakfast at PI hmm

Youth hostels do family rooms with en suite facilities. Then communal kitchens to make your own food or use the catering options. I think they are a great way to holiday. Have a look at the website they are in amazing locations.

I've stayed in a number of youth hostels when travelling alone and often seen families there. There are some really nice ones.

i found an old mumsnet thread about them and the general consensus was the op was mad to book one with children! I am not particularly social so have no interest socialising with other families

You don't have to socialise with anyone. If you use the shared kitchen, you might have tomake minimal conversation, in the same way you might in a hotel restaurant, like, "excuse me, is that table free?" But beyond that, you're fine to keep to yourselves.

I've used them a lot, alone, as a couple, and with DH and 2 kids.
They are very family friendly and IMO a great choice. Family rooms are good. Rooms and facilities are usually fairly basic but clean.

I’ve used them a lot - single parent with 2 kids.
We would always get a self contained room, usually en-suite.
Book in advance for really good value. They are basic but we found them alway to be clean and comfortable.
Stayed in some amazing places - mainly in wales and Cornwall but also in London.
Never had a problem with the whole communal thing - never really joined in with other people but it was great to have a good kitchen to make packed lunches in the morning and the ability to make good cheap breakfasts and dinners.
Don’t discount them!
They have some amazing buildings in some great places and also interesting pods, bell tents and great camping options (pre set up and bring your own) and even converted containers at the Eden site which were fun.
We have had some really great holidays with them over the years.

I’m a complete introvert so wouldn’t want shared living spaces. I read the bathrooms are also shared? Is there a lot of young solo travellers? Not sure how I’d feel about sharing a space with them when I have children.

At all the ones we've been to you can book a family room with en suite bathroom. With the communal kitchen, you wouldn't have a kitchen or any living space at all in a premier inn or other hotel. So you can either not use the kitchen, and just do whatever you'd do if you were staying in a hotel, or treat it as a nice bonus. They're very useful for heating stuff up in a microwave or some toast, even if you don't take pans or fancy using whatever kit is in there for a full dinner.
Other guests vary in age. The word "youth" is a bit of a hangover, at least in the UK YHA hostels, it's just a cheap and decent enough place to stay for any age.

You can find plenty with en suite bathrooms. We had such great family room bookings in youth hostels. It depends what you like doing though. My favourite was Ambleside which is literally next to Windermere, it’s beautiful. The hostel decor was very tired back then and we used the shared shower rooms, but we were a short walk from hiring a rowing boat on the lake, there was a gorgeous park in Ambleside with mini golf and a playground etc. We took the ferry to the other places to see round the lake. Games and some books in the lounge overlooking the lake. We also liked one of the Peak District ones and went for a good walk up Mam Tor, that one we did gave an en-suite. Even if freshly done it’s always basic, lino and bunk beds etc, but a whole lot of fun for a reasonable cost.

lots of youth hostels have larger family rooms with en suite facilities. They don't allow children to use the beds in larger dorms with random strangers anyway.
If you don't fancy that have you looked at caravan sites for cheaper accommodation?

I don’t drive and caravan sites are usually in the middle of nowhere or not easily accessible by train.

They are great imo. I have taken both dc to stay in them. Yes most rooms have shared bathrooms but it’s fine actually. A lot of them are single person toilets with sinks so I rarely saw anyone else in any facilities. Maybe the odd shower block but even then there are usually single person showers with locks as well. Sharing kitchen is fine and lots of them have cafes. You might be better looking on Airbnb though. I found the private rooms at yha no cheaper than hotel or airbnb a lot of the time, sadly.