Few things in life beat a trip to the seaside, and more than 35 of our hostels sit on – or within strolling distance of – the endlessly varied shoreline of England and Wales. These include classic options like YHA Boggle Hole, as well as a whole host of lesser known but equally special properties, here’s 9 hostels for coastal getaways.
YHA Perranporth
Seekers of big-city thrills and vibrant nightlife, avert your gaze. The small but spectacular YHA Perranporth occupies the kind of cobweb-clearing clifftop eyrie that more or less defines the concept of getting away from it all – and a recent refurb makes it’s plum location on the North Cornwall coast all the more enticing. With speactacular sea views, miles of sandy beaches and an unrivalled clifftop location, YHA Perranporth is the ideal break for the whole family.
YHA Broad Haven
Family-friendly YHA Broad Haven is a mere scamper away from one of Pembrokeshire’s best Blue Flag beaches. It’s called Broad Haven for a reason – at low tide, a mighty expanse of golden sand stretches across the bay. Bring buckets, spades and rock-pool dipping nets. A popular pick for a coastal getaway during the summer holidays, but dare we say it’s just as enjoyable in winter when you don’t have to compete with the summer crowds. Explore the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path right from your doorstep this season.
YHA Penzance
From ancient stones and mining heritage to modern communications and art, Penzance is a location dripping with culture and heritage. The hostel is perfectly positioned for adventure, from ancient stones and mining heritage to modern communications and art, Penzance is a location with stories to tell. Perfectly positioned for accessing some sensational scenic walking routes nearby, with excellent local and national public transport links, make YHA Penzance your choice for a coastal break.
YHA Port Eynon (Partner)
There’s a lot to love about the Gower Peninsula, Britain’s first (and some would say foremost) Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As well as crashing surf, ranging cliffs and wide beaches, it also boasts no less than three YHAs, including this 28-bed gem in a former lifeboat station. With unparalleled ocean views from the large windows in the lounge, YHA Port Eynon is the ideal break for those seeking some time to reconnect with nature. Port Eynon itself is an idyllic village with a fun family feel and plenty of activities to choose from to keep the kids entertained.
YHA Beer
This arts and crafts style hostel, based at the edge of the village of Beer, has plenty of child-friendly facilities. A great accommodation choice for cheap family holidays and school trips, YHA Beer is located on the stunning Jurassic coast – now listed as a world heritage site. It’s great for geology, rock pooling and fossil hunting, and of course, walking and photography. The hostel itself has extensive private grounds for you to explore, and the surrounding area is populated with local legends about smugglers and pirates, great fun for the whole family!
YHA Berwick
Located beside the river Tweed, YHA Berwick is a unique hostel with a Tower of Pisa-like lean! The hostel is well-situated for walking, cycling and beach-based activities, as well as trips to towns both north and south of the border, including both Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Edinburgh. It also has the fantastic Granary Bistro, a café and restaurant-come-event hosting venue, and a spot which allows like-minded visitors to chat over a drink or a bite to eat. Plan your escape to beautiful Berwick.
YHA Minehead
Sitting pretty in Somerset’s Exmoor Hills, with the North Somerset coastline just minutes away, the 32-bed YHA Minehead has long been a magnet for bikers, hikers, families and plain old pleasure-seekers. Not only is Minehead a picturesque seaside resort with a cracking sandy beach, it’s also the northern gateway to Exmoor National Park, the area’s largest town and the start point of the South West Coast Path – the nation’s longest long-distance walking trail.
YHA Boggle Hole
If you’re looking for UK beach breaks, activity breaks or accommodation near the spectacular Robin Hood’s Bay, YHA Boggle Hole could be just the place for you. Tucked away in an old smuggler’s cove, this quirky hostel will delight and inspire you, with its treasure trails, stunning sea views and plenty of wooded grounds for the kids to explore. Guests can make full use of shared spaces in the hostel’s main building – Old Mill – including a cosy lounge, dining room and well-equipped self-catering kitchen where you can cook up something to warm the cockles after a day out exploring.
YHA Whitby
YHA Whitby sits in magnificent position alongside the ruins of Whitby Abbey. Enjoy views over the harbour and the North York Moors, with the town just a short walk away via the famous 199 steps. This incredibly charming Yorkshire hostel provides the ideal accommodation for exploring Whitby and its year round attractions. Look out for the interpretation boards with information about features, including a 13th-century carved oak Viking beam and stunning Victorian stained glass. With nearby attractions ranging from fossil-hunting on the Jurassic Coast, Dracula heritage and traditional British seaside fun, you won’t fall short of things to do!
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