Lifestyle

YHA - A new lease of life

With the YHA's recent policy of closing down their less profitable Youth Hostels, many communities have seen their local youth hostel closed after many years of use. These homely establishments have quietly provided shelter for walkers, cyclists and tourists and brought income and new faces into isolated rural communities.

For a few lucky places this is not the end of the story...

Read More... (Published: June 21st, 2011)
 

Birders Breaks

The Independent Hostels UK network of over 335 places to stay offers a free booking service for birders seeking value accommodation near bird watching hotspots.   At prices from around £9pppn, you can choose from a huge variety of houses, cottages, camping barns and bunkhouses across England, Scotland and Wales.    

You can clarify your preference for private rooms, some with ensuite facilities, or larger dormitory accommodation...

Read More... (Published: May 22nd, 2011)
 

New Biggest Ever Independent Hostel Guide Features 334 Places to Stay

Bigger than ever before, the new 2011 Independent Hostel Guidebook features 334 houses, cottages, camping barns and bunkhouses across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Over 50 new hostels have joined the Independent Hostels UK network this year and will be featured in the book for the first time reflecting the increasing demand for value accommodation.

Ideal for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts, the hostels provide accommodation from around £9 per person per night generally on a self-catering basis; facilities are suitable for singles, couples, families and groups seeking friendly and inexpensive places to stay without membership requirements...

Read More... (Published: February 4th, 2011)
 

Holiday Giveaway at Outdoor Leisure Show

Independent Hostels UK (IHUK) will be giving away 21 holidays at various hostels with a free hourly prize draw and 2,000 copies of their new 2011 guidebook on their stand at the Outdoor Leisure Show (NEC Birmingham, 25-27 February).

Visitors can complete an entry form selecting the hostel of their choice from the prize list, which will decrease every hour as a prize is won. The fantastic giveaways range from breaks for groups, such as a weekend at the Penquoit Centre in Pembrokeshire for 10-24 people, to short stays for couples including three nights at Deepdale Backpackers in North Norfolk...

Read More... (Published: January 4th, 2011)
 

Cycle Touring

Cyclists touring the UK seeking value accommodation will find a great selection on offer from the Independent Hostels UK network (IHUK) of over 300 hostels, camping barns and bunkhouses, many of which have overnight bike storage.

They generally provide self-catering facilities and are suitable for singles, couples and groups seeking friendly, clean and inexpensive accommodation without membership requirements; prices start from around £8 per night.

 Amongst those with bike storage is the Yarde Orchard bunkhouse, which lies near Petersmarland on the North Devon Tarka Trail's highest point; two of the Sustrans National Cycle Network (NCN) long distance routes also pass the gate, namely the Devon Coast-to-Coast route 27 and the West Country Way, route 3...

Read More... (Published: January 4th, 2011)
 

Moutain Bike Trails with Accommodation

Mountain Bikers seeking value accommodation near to exciting trails will find a great selection on offer from the Independent Hostels UK network (IHUK) of over 300 houses, cottages, camping barns and bunkhouses, many of which have overnight bike storage.

 They generally provide self-catering facilities and are suitable for singles, couples and groups seeking friendly, clean and inexpensive accommodation without membership requirements; prices start from £7. 50 per night...

Read More... (Published: January 4th, 2011)
 

Sleeping in Unusual Buildings

Several members of the 300-strong network of UK Independent Hostels now occupy unusual buildings that used to be something else. These include lighthouse keepers' cottages; railway carriages; schools; Methodist chapels and a courthouse; a large number have also been converted from old farm buildings and barns. They generally provide self-catering facilities and are suitable for singles, couples and groups seeking friendly, clean and inexpensive accommodation...

Read More... (Published: January 4th, 2011)
 

Accommodation for groups

Groups seeking value accommodation will find a huge variety of places to stay with the Independent Hostels UK network (IHUK) of over 300 houses, cottages, camping barns and bunkhouses across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. All independent hostels welcome groups with prices from around £7 per person per night. The hostels can be located in remote rural areas, ideal for special interest groups such as walkers, cyclists, climbers and those going in search of local wildlife; others are on the coast and some in city centres for heritage breaks...

Read More... (Published: January 4th, 2011)
 

New biggest ever guidebook available at the Outdoor Leisure Show.

Independent Hostels UK (IHUK) new 2011 handbook will be the biggest ever with over 330 houses, cottages, camping barns and bunkhouses across England, Scotland and Wales. Over 50 hostels will be featured for the first time reflecting the increasing demand for value accommodation. Free copies will be available on stand number 441 at the Outdoor Leisure Show (NEC Birmingham, 25-27 February)...

Read More... (Published: January 1st, 2011)
 

Christmas House Parties in Independent UK Hostels

Great Value Festive Breaks

Families and friends planning a Christmas gathering can book exclusive use of an Independent Hostel for a private house party. Many are in beautiful coastal or rural locations and have family and twin rooms so grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins can share the cooking and festive fun. Individuals, couples and smaller groups can join others at one of the larger hostels for a joint Christmas party...

Read More... (Published: November 9th, 2010)
 

Great Value Accomodation for Walkers

The Independent Hostels UK network (IHUK) of over 300 houses, cottages, camping barns and bunkhouses across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland offer great value accommodation for walkers from £8 per person per night. They generally provide self-catering facilities and are suitable for singles, couples and groups seeking friendly, clean and inexpensive accommodation without membership requirements.

Several of the hostel buildings in the network had a former life such as converted watermill at the head of a hidden valley at Read More... (Published: October 9th, 2010)
 

Dog Friendly Accommodation

Dog Freindly Accommodation in England, Scotland and Wales.

Here is a list of the accommodation in this guide which welcome dogs.  Click on the hostel name to find out more about the accommodation...

Read More... (Published: October 7th, 2010)
 

Dog Friendly Accommodation (text and photos)

Dog friendly accommodation is offered by many Independent Hostels.  This is perfect accommodation for pet friendly, self catering holidays and these are listed at the bottom of this feature.   Not only are the hostels in great rural locations ideal for walks and wild runs, but they also provide accommodation for periods as short as one night, so are ideal for a stop-over on a long journey...

Read More... (Published: July 22nd, 2010)
 

Dog Friendly Accommodation (more photos)

Heres some more photos of dogs enjoying the hostel accommodation and surounding walks.

The photos were taken at Caerhafod Lodge in Pembrokeshire and Rattray Head Eco Hostel on Scotland's east coast.

Read More... (Published: July 21st, 2010)
 

Bird Watching Holidays

Independent Hostels, Bunk Houses and Camping Barns are really useful resources for birdwatchers in the UK - not only do they offer great value, but are also in many of the quieter remote areas and they particularly welcome lovers of the outdoors. Listed below are some of the bird species spotted by the hostels this year. Where I have given the hostel name you can find its location and facilities by typing the name into the search box on the left...

Read More... (Published: April 4th, 2009)
 

Family Holidays that beat the Credit Crunch

Many Independent Hostels provide a great base for family holidays. We take our kids (Lily 10 and Hetty 9) on holidays in hostels all the time. Now our neighbours are doing it too...

Read More... (Published: April 3rd, 2009)
 

Remote Holidays

Independent Hostels are often referred to as 'alternative accommodation'. This is because they attract a different sort of person, a person who does not require the 'norm' and is often delighted by a bit of something different.

Because of these alternative guests independent Hostels thrive in locations which would not be viable for holiday cottages or hotels...

Read More... (Published: April 2nd, 2009)
 

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