YHA National Forest - Hostel

Our wedding party had exclusive hire of the place, and we had the best weekend. The rooms were clean and tidy, the grounds beautiful, and the communal space worked really well. Doors opened straight onto the patio, so everyone could move easily between spaces. The hostel staff were great at answering our many questions and keeping in touch during the months beforehand. There are lots of good walks nearby, and the setting felt very secluded. I can't recommend it enough!

The kitchen was very well equipped for self-catering, with plenty of fridge space and all the basics we needed. We used it for every meal. Informative displays in the corridors also explain the hostel's history and its part in the National Forest. We had a day at Conkers too, which kept us engrossed for over six hours. Couldn't recommend it enough, and it was excellent value for money. I stayed for two nights in mid-February with two young children. We got a very warm welcome and checked in efficiently. The modern hostel was clean and well placed for local attractions. Our room was compact, clean, and thankfully very warm at night. The bathroom fan was the one downside: it was very loud late at night or early in the morning and seemed to run for ages. It was a pleasant short break, well worth a visit if you're exploring the National Forest. I'd love to come back in summer so the kids can play outside, we can use more of the outdoor facilities, and enjoy more of the scenery. Thanks for a great stay.

I wanted to visit the area, drop by to see the facilities, and check whether they were available for hire. Everything was locked up and no one seemed to be on site. I tried calling the hostel, but the call was forwarded to a number saying voicemail was disabled, then dropped. Not an ideal way to get in touch.

Great green scenery and woodland right beside the place, and a nice location overall. The dorm room cost £10. It was standard but comfortable, with a decent, if noisy, bunk bed, plug sockets and lockable storage. The bathroom was fine. The facilities were more than adequate: a bike locker with a repair station, a large self-catering area, and lots of seating inside and out. The buffet breakfast cost extra, was OK, and had plenty of options. I'd stay again!