The Youth Hostelling Association offers fantastic locations for families looking for cheap holidays in the UK. Many of us have fond memories of staying in youth hostels when we were children. The annual residential trip at primary school was a highlight of the year. And for our families, this tradition has continued with coach loads of excited children being whisked away to various parts of the country each summer. But, youth hostels are not just reserved for big school groups. If you’re looking for a budget friendly holiday in the UK, youth hostelling is well worth considering. The Youth Hostelling Association has hostels up and down England and Wales, ranging from small bunkhouses to grand mansions that have been turned into fantastic places for families to stay. Accommodation is basic, but there is usually a self-catering kitchen, lounge and games room if you’re lucky.
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Why Do We Love Holidays in the UK?
We’ve made so many happy memories since we started hostelling as a family. Discovering beautiful beaches in Pembrokeshire, cycling along the Granite Way in Devon, and watching dolphins off the coast of Cornwall have been some of the highlights of these trips. Apart from discovering new parts of the UK, one of my favourite aspects of youth hostelling is meeting new people and encouraging my children to make new friends. Last summer, I watched two of my daughters playing table tennis and cards with an Austrian family, resulting in much laughter despite, or maybe because of, the communication challenges. This is what hostelling is all about . . . sharing small moments of our lives with like-minded people, regardless of our age or where we’re from.
Does Youth Hostelling Offer Cheap Holidays in the UK for Big Families?
Youth Hostelling offers cheap family holidays all over the UK. Hostels in the countryside tend to be better value than the city ones, although we’ve stayed in a central London hostel for a surprisingly low price. Become a member of the YHA to get a discount on each booking. Annual membership costs £20 if paying by direct debit, and only one person needs to be a member to get the discounted price for your whole group. Families with someone aged 25 or below get an extra discount.
Do UK Youth Hostels Have Cheap Family Rooms?
Gone are the days when hostelling meant sharing a room with a bunch of strangers. Although most hostels still have dorms for single travellers, all of them offer private rooms for families with some even including an en-suite shower room. Rooms can accommodate anything from one to eight or more people, giving big families plenty of options. If you’re visiting during school holidays, you can expect lots of other families to be staying, so the kids can relax and have fun in a child-friendly environment.
Do We Have to Cook our Own Food at a Youth Hostel?
Families can save money by using the self-catering kitchen. Nearly all youth hostels in the UK have a self-catering kitchen. Some are better equipped than others, but you will share a fridge and freezer with the other guests, and work around each other when cooking. This is all part of the fun, and you’ll find that most people are quite friendly. If you don’t feel like cooking, many of the hostels have a café serving pizzas, burgers and the like. A cooked or continental breakfast is often available in the mornings, although this isn’t cheap for big families. We usually self-cater our breakfast most days, and treat ourselves to the hostel breakfast on one or two mornings. Check out the best places to eat en-route to your chosen hostel!
Do Youth Hostels Provide Bedding and Towels?
Bedding is provided at most hostels, although check the small print before you book. Beds are usually bunks with an occasional single or double bed thrown in depending on a room’s maximum occupancy. Towels are not provided, but you can buy or hire one if you forget to pack yours.
Do Youth Hostels Have Lockers?
Each bedroom has lockers, although there isn’t always one for each person. Bring a padlock for each locker as these are not provided. Depending on the size of the room, the lockers can be quite small, so they’re fine for valuables, but might not fit all your other stuff in.
Do Youth Hostels Allow Dogs?
As a general rule, dogs are not allowed to stay inside the youth hostels. However, many hostels have landpods or glamping facilities in the grounds that well-behaved dogs are welcome to stay in.
Do Youth Hostels Have Age Limits?
No! Youth Hostelling is popular with all ages. Many of the people we meet at hostels have been hostelling for decades and remember the days when guests were expected to help with the chores, and keep the place clean and tidy. Times have changed, but the spirit of hostelling still remains. Most people are happy to chat or share local tips with each other, and just enjoy meeting new people.
So It’s All Good, Then?
Bear in mind that there will probably be a lot of other people staying in your chosen hostel. This can be great if you’re sociable. It can also cause problems if people give their children too much free rein. The most common criticism of youth hostels is that people are kept awake by doors banging or people moving about on other floors. My recommendation is to take ear plugs! Some hostels have the spongy ones available, but I prefer to take wax ones that you mould to your ears. Glamorous? No. Effective? Yes.
Where Do I Sign Up?
The YHA offers excellent value for families looking for cheap holidays in the UK. To take advantage of member prices and regular deals, it’s best to book directly with YHA. The website’s really easy to use, and you can contact YHA on the phone if you have any questions.
How about taking the kids on a road trip? Find out the best places to eat when you’re on the road.
