Yha Helvellyn in Glenridding, England

YHA Helvellyn sits in the Cumbrian countryside, a 6-minute drive from the village of Glenridding and just over 2 miles from Patterdale on Ullswater Lake. Hiking trails to the summit of Helvellyn begin at the hostel door, letting guests step straight onto the ridge without using a car. The property is set on the banks of a tumbling stream that carries runoff from higher tarns, providing a natural soundtrack of running water day and night.

The hostel offers private rooms and dormitory-style bunk rooms, all with shared bathroom facilities located on each floor. Rooms are cleaned daily, with fresh linen and warm duvets provided. The 17 real rooms include family-sized options such as Quadruple Rooms and Landpods (tents with two double beds) for guests who want to sleep closer to nature.

The on-site restaurant serves breakfast (available 7:00-9:00 AM) with options including a full English for £9.95, plus packed lunches for day hikes. Dinner is offered in the bar area, with meals such as scampi and chips, burgers with a beer deal, and kids' meals available. A coffee house on site sells hot drinks, ice creams and cold drinks after a day on the fells, while the bar stocks local ale and wine.

Free parking is available on site, though the access road is a narrow, unpaved single track with potholes that requires a slow, careful drive. Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen, a garden with outdoor furniture, a picnic area, and a drying room for wet gear after hiking. Board games and puzzles are available in the lounge area, and the hostel provides fire extinguishers and smoke alarms throughout.

The hostel is family-friendly, with board games, puzzles, and a garden where children can play in the stream. Group bookings can hire the entire hostel for walking weekends, with the warden providing pre-arrival info and accommodating large parties. The on-site bar and restaurant serve kids' meals, and the self-catering kitchen allows families to prepare their own evening meals.

Location: Hostel at foot of Helvellyn, trails from the door

Accommodation: Private rooms, dorms & Landpod tents

Dining: Full English breakfast for £9.95, packed lunches available

Facilities: Free parking, self-catering kitchen, drying room

Family: Board games, stream-side garden, kids' meals