Shady Bowers

There’s a nice big kitchen for cooking if you’ve brought your own food, and free tea and coffee. The price felt right for a great place. The roads in are very narrow, and there aren’t any shops or a fuel station nearby. You’re meant to check in before 9pm, though the guys waited for us because of the motorway closures.

I enjoyed staying here and appreciated finding a cheap place in Arnside. My small single room cost £25 and was perfectly good for that price, though a bit tatty round the edges. If that sort of thing bothers you, you’re better off finding a normal B&B. It’s not for everyone.

Arnside is lovely, and the location is brilliant for the southern lakes. The staff were nice, but the place felt a bit run down compared with YHA hostels. The kitchen and lounge were a little cramped and cold.

The accommodation was cramped, smelly and not clean, and several of the showers and toilets were out of order. When I arrived at 7.30 pm, reception was unmanned. I’d booked and paid already, so they knew I was coming, but nobody answered the bell or phone. They eventually turned up. This was the worst hostel I’ve stayed at. I’ll be complaining to yha, as I booked through them in good faith.