British hostelling isn’t all about country houses (gorgeous as they are) and purpose-built traditional hostels – YHA accommodation can include everything from remote huts to 800-year-old castles! Here is our top picks of unusual places to stay in the UK, each with their own unique personality and quirky surprises. Don’t worry – you’ll still get the authentic hostel experience and all the facilities you’ve come to expect from YHA. Book a stay and experience Britain at its exciting and eccentric best.
YHA St Briavels – Norman castle
Want a taste of real British history? Expect a welcome fit for a King or Queen at YHA St Briavels Castle – an 800-year-old castle, a very popular unusual place to stay in the UK! The building is remarkably well preserved, with many fascinating historical features intact from its rich heritage (ask for a tour of the hostel and prepare to be amazed). You can sleep in an old prison, complete with 16th-century graffiti from convicts, or uncover the spooky secret dungeon under the Oubliette room. Or join guests for a medieval feast in the candlelit banqueting hall and fall in love with the atmosphere of the past. And did we mention it’s supposedly one of the most haunted buildings in England?
Book a stay at YHA St Briavels Castle
YHA Boggle Hole – Pirate stronghold
Ahoy there! A glorious family fave, YHA Boggle Hole sits in a smuggler’s cove and is everything a dream seaside holiday is made of. From the fun pirate-themed décor (a rum in The Brigg dining room anyone?) to the treasure trails and dressing-up boxes, buccaneers of all ages find it easy to lose themselves here. Spend the day building sandcastles or fossil hunting on the beach on your doorstep, or relaxing in the old mill building’s Quarterdeck Cafe. The renovated hostel is looking more shipshape than ever, incorporating a new Crow’s Nest annexe – an environmentally friendly timber building with stunning sea views.
Book a stay at YHA Boggle Hole
YHA Black Sail – shepherd’s bothy
If getting away from it all is your number one requirement, you can’t get much more remote and rural than YHA Black Sail. Miles away from the nearest road and only accessible on foot, this old shepherd’s lodge is nestled in a dramatic traffic-free valley that’s being returned to its ‘wild’ state, making it an unusual place to stay in the UK. Step out from the rustic 16-bed stone hostel and all you can see is miles and miles of mountains, perfect for exploring. With no electric sockets and limited phone signal, it really is just you and the Great British outdoors! Pack your hiking boots, take a walk on the wild side, and forget about civilisation for a few days at this tranquil Lake District retreat.
Book a stay at YHA Black Sail
YHA Helvellyn – mountain retreat
Situated in a unique spot, 963ft up Helvellyn – the third highest mountain in England – YHA Helvellyn is quite the base for those looking to enjoy action-packed getaway or to relax in the peace and quiet with no Wi-Fi or phone signal. Bliss. Mountain bikers will get a thrill from the downhill ride from the summit of the mountain. In the colder months, there is a ski slope with drag lift 40 minutes’ walk (or ski) away from the hostel. There are also plenty of less strenuous walking routes starting from the front door suitable for the whole family to enjoy.
Book a stay at YHA Helvellyn
YHA Beverley Friary – 600 year old friary
Want to stay inside a real piece of history? Situated at the heart of the pretty East Yorkshire market town of Beverley and with more medieval charm than Game of Thrones, YHA Beverley Friary is the result of decades of loving restoration. This place was home to Dominican friars 600 years ago and was even mentioned in the Canterbury Tales. Book a stay and get original features by your bed, a charming market town of attractions, and all the facilities you need for a break in East Yorkshire. This hostel is available on an Exclusive Hire basis only, so you’ll get the entire place to yourself… who else can say they’ve hired a friary?!
Book a stay at YHA Beverley Friary
YHA Ilam Hall – gothic mansion
Want to stay in a real piece of beauty? YHA Ilam Hall is a Victorian gothic mansion that sits at the heart of 84 acres of National Trust parkland within the Peak District National Park. The beautiful hostel is full of character and nestled near the quaint village of Ilam. A 25-minute walk from Ilam Park, the Dovedale Stepping Stones have remained a big interest for Peak District day-trippers since they were laid in the mid-19th century. You’ll also discover some of England’s most astonishing limestone gorge scenery.
Book a stay at YHA Ilam Hall
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