UK Youth Hostels

Bigtallfatbloke · June 2007

I've never stayed at these so please forgive some more of my dumbass questions...
Are they worth staying at as opposed to a camp site or wild camp?
How important is it to book up in advance?
Can I just roll up on the day?
I am not a 'youth' does that matter?
if it's full on the day will they let me pitch my tent?
Do I need to pay in advance or at the time?
Will my bike be as safe as poss if I lock it up outside?
What time in the evening is the latest I can roll up and 'check in'?

I went to the YHA site but I'm more interested in opinions from those of you who have done this already a few times.

Thanks.[:)]

Blonde · June 2007

It really all depends on which hostel you go to. I have had problems booking at the more popular ones (usually the ones with the best facilities or in the most picturesque locations) for two or more people unless well in advance, although as a solo rider and not at peak times (school summer holidays, Easter, half term etc) it should be easier. Unless you go in the school holidays, you will probably find you are not alone in not being a 'youth'. Every time I have sayed in a YH I have been the youngest there.... at 30. Most people were retired! Facilities are generally very good - if you want hot showers and reasonable, cheap meals. Nearly all have 'secure' locked bike sheds. Earliest check in time is 5pm. Latest is usually 11pm unless the website says it is a 24 hour hostel or you have made a special arrangement with the warden. I'm afraid I don't know about tent pitching in the case of no room at the inn - I guess it's down to the discretion of the warden and will depend on what time you get there and how close you are to any other hostels with beds available. If you're booking in advance, a deposit is enough to secure a bed, the rest payable on arrival. They have various cut-off periods for cancellation and return of deposits, so you may not get your deposit back if you cancel late.

vernonlevy · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Bigtallfatbloke</i>

I've never stayed at these so please forgive some more of my dumbass questions...
Are they worth staying at as opposed to a camp site or wild camp?
How important is it to book up in advance?
Can I just roll up on the day?
I am not a 'youth' does that matter?
if it's full on the day will they let me pitch my tent?
Do I need to pay in advance or at the time?
Will my bike be as safe as poss if I lock it up outside?
What time in the evening is the latest I can roll up and 'check in'?

I went to the YHA site but I'm more interested in opinions from those of you who have done this already a few times.

Thanks.[:)]

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

* Pre-booking is pretty much essential.
* Lack of cycles sheds has been moaned about elsewhere. Chain the bike to a drain pipe.
* Camping is restricted to a handful of hostels - check the website to find which ones
* Age is immaterial to the YHA
* Paying in advance with pre-booking is, I think the preferred method.
* Refunds for failing to turn up are not given.
* You are likely to be sharing a dormitory with total strangers.
* They are good places to be when the weather's foul
* They are more expensive than camp sites
* They are good places to be for socialising with fellow travellers
* Check with individual hostels for opening hours
* Although a member for the past three years I've only used a hostel for one night - I've never been near one at the end of a day's touring.

PHcp · June 2007

I don't like the way the YHA has changed over the last few years, the closures, modernisation, exclusive booking and the pricing. It's what drove me back to camping after a long absence and I'm not going to carry all that gear without using it every night.
One of the few advantages of the reorganisation is that you no longer need to be a member, so you could try a couple without joining. There are some independent hostels that are also worth checking out
http://www.independenthostelguide.co.uk/index.html

sjcpcp · June 2007

I've toured many times, staying in hostels or camping, but these days I tend to only use hostels or B&B's.
Camping is great when the weather is good, but there is nothing worse than riding all day in the rain, then getting into a wet tent and try to cook a meal. Then the next morning packing away the wet tent and setting off into the rain!

I have found that if you are riding alone then you can usually get into a hostel, but I very really just turn up at the door and hope they've got a bed. I usually only plan 1 day ahead and then ring the hostel the night before or on the morning I want to arrive, if they're full then I try another hostel. I've also found that 90%+ of hostels have a decent bike shed.

The main problem is that the reduction in the number of hostels has made it difficult to plan a tour using only hostels, so I now use B&B's as well. If you carry a sleeping bag then you would also be able to use bunk-houses, which are cheaper than hostels but more expensive than camping.

john holiday · June 2007

Have thoroughly enjoyed hostels over the years & would certainly recommended membership,which also gives access to European hostels.
There have been some closures recently in locations which appeal to many, but do not attract sufficiently large numbers to sustain.YHA was severely hit by Foot & Mouth outbreak financially & have struggled to recover.Hostels such as Wooler in Northumberland which is no longer run by YHA, is now run locally & is very popular with cyclists. I believe it's worth using hostels for the rapport & stories from fellow cyclists & walkers.You don't get to to chat with many other guests in hotels!

Bigtallfatbloke · June 2007

thankyou...I think I will try to mix a little camping with some hostels, maybe alternate daily...I dunno....I 'll book up the main hostels and wing the rest I think. I like the sound of the social aspect of the hostels and formal camp sites..

NJA · June 2007

I went touring in the lakes this year with a party of 12, stayed in five different hostels - all pre booked and paid.

The weather was foul on all six days and we turned up at the hostels in some awful states (wet, muddy, tired - blokes and bikes) nobody batted an eyelid. The accomodation was generally good, the food hearty and the welcome warm.

Every hostel we stayed in had a drying room that worked well and a secure bike shed.

At 43 I was worried about going 'Youth Hostelling' - but in the end it was agreat experience and I would go hostelling anytime.

nolf · June 2007

Loads now do free breakfasts as well- with the option of dinner if you are too tired/lazy to cook one yourself. Makes it much more of a B & B.

Pride speaks, but Elephants listen...

rgisme · June 2007

YHA's are great IMO - good VFM, many set in beautiful rural locations, self catering - good, cheap, warm, dry accommodation, and no reason whatsoever not to use them if you don't want to camp, unless perhaps you have a sleeping partner you want to sleep with [;)]

Unknown · June 2007

I am a convert from camping to YHAs
I did JOGLE last year using YHAs and friends. Yes I did have some short days but after a rain soaked days riding reading the paper in a warm lounge with someone's left behind hot chocolate was pretty good.

It also provides instant company which you can pick or choose.

Alot depends on mileage and weather. A sunny camping tour is the best way to go but I dont trust English weather.

I also loved not carrying cooking stuff which takes up so much space.

If I had a tourer then I might have camped, but with an MTB and a road bike. I decided to do a fast tour instead.

Wild camping is illegal but fairly easy to do and can make for a cheap tour.

UK Youth Hostels

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