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9 hostels tailor-made for cycling breaks

Whether you’re a fan of muddy mountain biking or long, challenging days on country roads, whether you have bike-mad mates or a three-year-old who’s a master on the balance bike, these hostels for cycling breaks have secure stores and other facilities. Where’s your next cycling escape? Have a read below to see some of our finest locations for cycling breaks in the UK.

YHA Castleton Losehill Hall

YHA Castleton exterior

Deep in the Hope Valley of the Peak District is this 146-bed refurbished gothic mansion. It’s set among 27 acres of parkland, but it’s the land beyond that pulls cyclists. Some of the country’s best mountain biking is almost literally on its doorstep, and the 205-mile Pennine Bridleway passes nearby too, offering further adventure.

Stay at YHA Castleton Losehill Hall

YHA Berwick

YHA Berwick External

Cycling breaks out of the ancient town of Berwick are diverse – international, even. Head north over the Scottish border, with Edinburgh a six-hour coastal ride away, or pedal south towards history-rich Lindisfarne along National Cycle Route 1. The hostel has cycle storage on site.

Stay at YHA Berwick

YHA Conwy

Conwy

Not only is the mountainous Eryri (Snowdonia) landscape crisscrossed with thrilling mountain bike trails, but National Cycle Network Route 5, linking Reading to Holyhead via Oxford and Colwyn Bay, goes right by the hostel. Gwydyr Forest, an MTB hub worth checking out, is 10 miles away.

Stay at YHA Conwy

YHA Dartmoor

YHA Dartmoor external

Some call Dartmoor bleak. We don’t. With an expansive network of designated cycling routes along quiet back-country roads and more than 210 miles of bridleways, the National Park is a top option.

Stay at YHA Dartmoor

YHA Eastbourne

YHA Eastbourne external

A pedestrian seaside town? Pah! Eastbourne has great road cycling and mountain biking routes, whether it’s deep into the Weald’s country roads or on the the South Downs. YHA Eastbourne sits on the route of the South Downs Way, stretching to Winchester 100 miles away.

Stay at YHA Eastbourne

YHA Grinton Lodge

YHA Grinton Lodge external

It’s no coincidence that this former hunting lodge, set in Yorkshire moorland, was one of our first hostels to install cycle stores and facilities. Mountain bikers and road cyclists flock to Swaledale for some of the county’s best trails. There’s a high chance of finding like-minded cyclists at the lodge.

Stay at YHA Grinton Lodge

YHA Helmsley

Helmsley

Beloved of tourist brochures, the little market town of Helmsley sits on the fringes of the North York Moors National Park. Its cosy hostel draws cyclists of all abilities. The property is kitted out with a cycle store and repair station, and the park has family-friendly forest tracks.

Stay at YHA Helmsley

YHA Ironbridge Coalport

YHA Ironbridge Coalport exterior

A former china factory on the banks of the Severn – and now part of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site – this atmospheric Shropshire hostel has proper cycling credentials. Cyclists can follow routes 45 and 55 straight out of the door, while mountain bikers can take on the hills. 

Stay at YHA Ironbridge Coalport

YHA National Forest

YHA National Forest external

This eco-friendly Derbyshire hostel in the heart of the National Forest is nicely set up for cyclists. There’s a well-equipped bike shed, various trails lead from outside the front door and the close-at-hand National Forest Cycle Centre has some great paths for families. A great cycling spot in Derbyshire.

Stay at YHA National Forest

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