It’s as a child when a love of the outdoors is instilled and here at YHA, we have plenty of family-friendly hostels in our network. Playing games in coastland coves, discovering wildlife on woodland walks, and reaching new heights on adventure-packed weekends. The kids will particularly love these family friendly hostels.
YHA Boggle Hole
A cosy coastal hostel
A family hostel favourite! It’s an adventure just walking down to this coastal hostel, with North Sea waves splashing towards you. Set in an old mill in a smugglers’ cove near Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, there’s a sense of fun everywhere, with pirate stories on the walls, spooky trails and a few secrets to discover…
Stay at YHA Boggle Hole
YHA London Lee Valley
The best city and countryside
Although just 20 minutes by train from central London, the six high wooden lodges here have a rural feel, being set among the 10,000-acre Lee Valley Regional Park. This family-friendly hostel is also near the Herts Young Mariners Base – great for kayaking, sailing and canoeing – and the Lee Valley White Water Centre.
Stay at YHA London Lee Valley
YHA Manorbier
Clifftop Pembrokeshire hostel
Set high above the ocean on the South Wales coastline, this hostel has amazing views and easy access to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. You’ll find child-friendly sandy beaches, and the region is also a playground for climbing and watersports, with many providers nearby. Kids love the camping pods here too – the perfect family-friendly hostel.
Stay at YHA Manorbier
YHA Beer
Friendly hostel by the Jurassic Coast
This Devon hostel near the old fishing village of Beer is tailor-made for quality family time, with mackerel fishing, safe sea swimming and fossil-hunting. If its location weren’t enticement enough, it occupies a stone country house with a rich pirate and smuggling history that children will love hearing about.
Stay at YHA Beer
YHA Stratford-upon-Avon
A large hostel near the Bard’s birthplace
“Barnes (bairns) are blessings”, wrote Shakespeare – so why not treat them to a few days of history and culture around the Bard’s hometown? The hostel is a large Grade II-listed building with plenty of space both inside and in the grounds, and Warwick Castle is nearby too.
Stay at YHA Stratford-upon-Avon
YHA York
Loads to do in lovely York
York is a city with some of the country’s best family attractions, including the Jorvik Viking Centre and York Castle Museum. Scaling the city’s walls or wandering through the Shambles gives an evocative flavour of York’s long history. This family friendly hostel sits a 15-minute riverside walk from the centre.
Stay at YHA York
YHA Ilam Hall
A grand Peak District manor
There’s a sense of grandeur in the approach to Ilam Hall, but while this 17th-century Gothic manor might be wonderfully imposing, it’s also full of places for the kids to discover. And as well as 84 acres of National Trust parkland to explore, there’s also a games room. It’s well placed for Peak District attractions too.
Stay at YHA Ilam Hall
YHA Hawkshead
Lake District family larks
In the heart of Beatrix Potter country, this Lake District hostel is a brilliant base for family adventures, school trips and activity breaks. It’s set in a Grade II-listed mansion, and the expansive grounds also offer camping pods, cabins and tipis. Nearby you’ll find Go Ape Grizedale Forest (10% discount for YHA members) and Lake Windermere.
Stay at YHA Hawkshead
YHA Hartington Hall
A character property chock-full of fun
Very old buildings have a personality of their own, and this 17th-century manor has character in swathes. Children will love exploring the oak-panelled interiors, the games room and the giant chessboard outside. And as well as the alfresco joys of the Peak District, Alton Towers and Chatsworth House are both close by. A family favourite.
Stay at YHA Hartington Hall
