YHA Borrowdale

We’ve never had noise at night when we’ve stayed here, and everything runs smoothly. The staff are always friendly and ask how our trip is going. The facilities are great, and the price is very reasonable. This is my friends’ and my favourite hostel in the lake district, with short drives to lots of great hikes.

I stayed five nights as a solo traveller, using the hostel as a base to explore the lakes. It’s right in the heart of things, with helpful staff, and the cosy setup gave me a chance to meet lots of new people. A great way to travel.

You’ll find board games, areas where big groups can relax, a well stocked bar and an ice cream freezer by reception. The shared spaces also include a dining hall for meals or self catering, with a good sized kitchen stocked with the pots, pans, crockery and cutlery you need. There’s a bar decorated with fell runners’ paraphernalia, a nice spot to sit and chat, with tables big enough to lay out an OS map. Borrowdale Youth Hostel has a rustic charm, with practical decor and facilities for travellers who want a bed and somewhere to cook. It’s a lovely stop on an itinerary for exploring the lakes and mountains.

The room was the letdown. There was rubbish in the beds, sweets and wrappers, which suggested it hadn’t been cleaned thoroughly, and the conditions were damp. The bunkbed was loose and borderline dangerous. I tightened it and secured it myself, free of charge to the hostel. Also, despite paying a substantial fee for two breakfasts, no eggs were available. Elsewhere, the hostel was fantastic, my favourite I’ve stayed in. The location is great and the staff were friendly and professional. The bar selection was limited, but there was hand pulled beer and it was well kept. The food was fair quality for the price.