Youth Hostels - Good Deal?

simsmell

I've just seen that YHA are doing a £29.95 family room deal which includes an evening meal. Sounds like great value but my last visit to a youth hostel was when I was still in school! Can anyone recommend a good youth hostel in England? I'm based in the midlands but happy to travel for a few hours as the deal looks so good. Would love a couple of good weekends away with the kids as we haven't done much for the last year.

TrueFlower

I've been to a German YMCA in London called London Lancaster Hall Hotel which was amazing! I'ld check if they have other hotel in England as they're amazing.

simsmell

Thanks TrueFlower. I've checked the hotel you mention but their prices are £82 for a 4 bedded room, so nowhere near as low as those I've seen on the YHA website. I would also like to explore another area of England as we've been to London a few times.

TrueFlower

Good luck with your search

budgetflyer

http://www2.travelodge.co.uk/saver_rooms/ have a £12 per room sale on for December and January.

Stromboli

There are 2 YHA hostels in Ironbridge, which shouldn't be too far from you. We haven't stayed at either, but have been to the cafe at the Coalport hostel; the building was spotless and the staff friendly and helpful. The location is ideal for visiting the many attractions in and around Ironbridge.

mandragora_2

Hartington. Shhhhhhh.

Seanymph

Ilham Hall - near to Alton Towers (if you want it) and next to that valley walk with stepping stones if you don't (but for the life of me I can't remember the name!).

http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/yha-ilam-hall.en.html?aid=311076;label=yha-ilam-hall-egSlTh5vB*mmyMGkHciVAgS10601363340;ws=&gclid=CJfysoePjq4CFVRItAod5lDCdQ

Youth Hostels are now a very different beast to the 'old days'.

We stayed regularly with the children, I had one very selective eater, so it was great to self cater - you don't have to take any bedding, the family rooms are now nearly all en suite, it's clean, efficiently run, and the people you meet are brilliant.

The range is huge though - Jordans is near London (Quaker meeting house on one side, the Osbornes on the other - funnily enough both times we've been there the quakers have made more noise than the Osbornes!), so is Lee Valley, both excellent - at Jordans they have fires at night in the pit and you can roast your own bananas. But from Lee Valley you can walk to the train station.

It depends what you want to do, and what area of the country you fancy.

We travelled with a 'food box' - generally I freeze say a bolognese, it defrosts during the day on teh way there and we have it for dinner. You get to use a fridge, label your food though - and all the catering equipment is present. Or you can eat in (I would if it's included, their food is usually really good).

I can't say strongly enough how great it is to use them - they invariably have washing machines, drying rooms, and brilliantly supportive staff.

We spent six weeks once when the kids were little travelling (an entire summer!) - it was wonderful.

Oh I could list about 50 probably. You can go to ones with no electric, just gas lights and wood fires, or castles like Ilham Hall -

Winky,_The_House_Elf

Just looking at the YHA site and you can also use Tesco Club Vouchers!

Every £10 in Tesco Clubcard vouchers gives you £30 in YHA rewards tokens
Tesco Clubcard vouchers are welcomed across the YHA England and Wales network of properties. To be valid as payment Clubcard vouchers need to be exchanged for holiday tokens by Tesco.

Vouchers can be used for YHA memberships and accommodation bookings, but not as payment for food and drink.

Vouchers will generally be accepted for stays of 3 nights or more.

For accommodation reservations, customers are asked to make a provisional booking directly with the hostel, at least 2 weeks in advance of the stay date, to allow time for Clubcard vouchers to be received by the hostel.

Availability will be limited on some dates, especially through the summer months, so it is imperative that customers check that the hostel is able to receive vouchers for the dates requested prior to ordering vouchers from Tesco.

Please note - vouchers cannot be used for group or package bookings, nor in conjunction with any other promotion YHA (England and Wales) Ltd may be running.

nik0568

I've booked a week at the YHA in Oakhampton activity centre. All inclusive & used my tesco vouchers. Worked out a very good deal for a summer holiday for the me & the kids.

Dunroamin

The Hostel at York is really nice and there's lots for all the family to do.