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YHA Hawkshead - Hostel

3.0 star property
Travelers can play games in the arcade, browse books in the quiet library, or simply relax in the garden after a day of hiking with a meal from the restaurant.

Choose dates to view prices

YHA Hawkshead - Hostel offers a welcoming mix of social and peaceful spaces. Enjoy a drink at the bar, cook in communal kitchens, and stay connected with WiFi in public areas. The hostel consistently earns positive reviews from visitors.

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available
  • Bar
  • Housekeeping

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 10 of 10 rooms

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Men only (Sleeps 6, Shared Bathroom)

Bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Men only (Sleeps 6, Shared Bathroom)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bunk Bed

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Women only (Sleeps 6, Shared Bathroom)

Bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Women only (Sleeps 6, Shared Bathroom)

Highlights

Heating
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bunk Bed

View all photos for Room (3 Bed Private with Shared Bathroom)

Bed sheets

Room (3 Bed Private with Shared Bathroom)

Highlights

Heating
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Single Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

View all photos for Room (3 Bed Private including Double Bed)

Bed sheets

Room (3 Bed Private including Double Bed)

Highlights

Heating
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Room (4 Bed Private with Shared bathroom)

Room (4 Bed Private with Shared bathroom)

Room (4 Bed Private with Shared bathroom)

Highlights

Heating
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Room (5 Bed Private with Shared bathroom)

Bed sheets

Room (5 Bed Private with Shared bathroom)

Highlights

Heating
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Double Bed, 1 Single Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

View all photos for Room (6 Bed Private with Shared bathroom)

Bed sheets

Room (6 Bed Private with Shared bathroom)

Highlights

Heating
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Room (8 Bed Private)

Bed sheets

Room (8 Bed Private)

Highlights

Heating
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 8
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Room (5 Bed Double Private Ensuite)

Bed sheets

Room (5 Bed Double Private Ensuite)

Highlights

Heating
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Double Bed, 1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Tent

Tent

Tent

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Heating
Shared/communal kitchen
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Double Bed and 3 Single Beds
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About the area

Ambleside is home to YHA Hawkshead - Hostel. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Windermere and Ullswater, while Hawkshead Grammar School and Beatrix Potter Gallery are cultural highlights. Go Ape Grizedale and Raw War Paintball are also worth visiting. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking, mountain climbing and hiking/biking trails nearby.
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Map
Hawkshead, Ambleside, England, LA22 0QD

What's nearby

  • Grizedale Forest - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Hawkshead Grammar School - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Church of St Mary - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Beatrix Potter Gallery - 2 min drive - 1.7 km
  • World of Beatrix Potter - 15 min drive - 9.7 km

Getting around

  • Burneside Station - 23 min drive
  • Durham (MME-Teesside Intl.) - 155 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lake View Garden - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Quayside Sports Bar - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Driftwood - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Old Pump House Coffee Shop - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Bowness Tap Rooms - ‬13 min drive

About this property

YHA Hawkshead - Hostel

Hostel near Lake Windermere
You can look forward to a garden, an arcade/games room and a library at YHA Hawkshead - Hostel. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities, such as a bar and a restaurant.
Other perks include:
  • Free self-parking
  • Buffet breakfast (surcharge), a water dispenser and a vending machine
  • Bike parking, a billiards/pool table and smoke-free property
More amenities include:
  • Communal kitchens, heating and daily housekeeping

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YHA Langdale - Hostel
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  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Games room
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, 33 reviews
YHA Langdale - Hostel

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee: GBP 10.95 for adults and GBP 5.95 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Bicycle storage
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Library

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Vending machine
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 3 steps to reach entrance
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1821
  • Communal living room
  • Edwardian architecture
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Shower

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 5 PM; check-in end time: 10 PM
Minimum check-in age - 16

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
All adult guests are required to present a valid government-issued photo ID card at check-in.
The name and address on the booking must match the photo ID presented by the guest at check-in. This property does not accept name changes for existing bookings.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: from approximately GBP 10.95 for adults and from GBP 5.95 for children
  • Towels fee: GBP 2.75 per person, per stay (or guests may bring their own)
  • Firewood fee: GBP 12 per stay

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
Special cancellation policies or charges may apply for group reservations (more than 8 rooms for the same property/stay dates)
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Please note that this property does not charge an additional temporary membership fee. Discounts are not available for members of YHA (England and Wales) or IYHF as part of this booking.

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

National rating

This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitEngland, the National Tourist Board for England.

Property is also known as

YHA Hawkshead Hostel Ambleside
YHA Hawkshead Hostel
YHA Hawkshead Ambleside
YHA Hawkshead
Yha Hawkshead Hostel Ambleside
YHA Hawkshead - Hostel Ambleside
YHA Hawkshead - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
YHA Hawkshead - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Ambleside

Frequently asked questions

Is YHA Hawkshead - Hostel pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at YHA Hawkshead - Hostel?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at YHA Hawkshead - Hostel?

Check-in start time: 5 PM; check-in end time: 10 PM. After-hours check-in is not available.

What time is check-out at YHA Hawkshead - Hostel?

Checkout is at 10 AM.

Where is YHA Hawkshead - Hostel located?

Situated in Ambleside, this hostel is within 1 mile (2 km) of Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead Grammar School and Beatrix Potter Gallery. Church of St Mary and Hill Top Farm are also within 3 miles (5 km).

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Reviews

YHA Hawkshead - Hostel Reviews

7.6

Good

7.8

Cleanliness

8.8

Location

8.2

Staff & service

7.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 43 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 19 out of 43 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 43 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 43 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 43 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Anite

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
We stayed in a tent, it was amazing
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Bed was very comfortable, room very basic
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

gary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Room was basic but functional. It lived up to my expectations. Ideal for an overnight stay. Shower was warm and practical.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Antonio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The location is nice and the staff is friendly and helpful .cool place to enjoy your holidays. But one thing I didn’t like about the property is that the basic amenities like towels were charged for because people spend so much money on the accommodation and I feel that it was not fair.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

6/10 Okay

Geoffrey

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Generally as expected. The beds and linen could have been more comfortable. The kitchen was well equipped. A television lounge for adults would be good.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The parking for motorbikes was not great, As it was all gravel
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

4/10 Poor

Junaid

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I loved that it was safe and it was a lovely hotel. I did not like it was so much noise at night. the bathroom and the showerroom was not clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

T A

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Highly Recommended!

An excellent and very enjoyable stay in the heart of the Lake District, with a beautiful view over Esthwaite Water. Ample free parking. Within easy reach of Hawkshead, Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston, Tarn Hows, and so much more! Staff were very welcoming and genuinely doing everything possible to ensure that you had a good stay. Only small issue was that Covid has closed down much of the communal areas, meaning that for a hostel it was particularly quiet, but this is entirely outside the control of the hostel. I would not hesitate to book again when next visiting the Lake District.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020

6/10 Okay

Jayne, England

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The actual house of yha is beautiful. Set in lovely gardens. The room we had slept 3. Very small and cramped.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Check-out at 10am and check-in at 3pm is not acceptable.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Decent YHA, but people sharing room incnsiderate

Great service from staff - very friendly, welcoming, quick check in. Beds comfy as any other YHA beds. Plug sockets next to beds with USB sockets also, which makes life easier. Only downside was people coming in drunk at 12/1/2 (three separate waves) and not being courteous enough to keep quiet. There was some broken glass on the driveways the following morning though this didn't affect us as we came/left by foot.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Nilesh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful Location !

Beautiful location, lovely people and excellent facility for the price we paid !
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice scenic view from the room depend on your allocation. Could provide map for joggers in the hostel and the distance from key location. e.g. point A to B. Could provide farm touring arrangement with landlord around the Hostel.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

8/10 Good

Trevor

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Value for money

Good location, nice staff and clean accommodation.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

推荐选择。

环境很好，房间宽敞，干净。
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Staff & service

Pleasant

Good stay, excellent surroundings and views. Typical hostel type accommodation.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

4/10 Poor

CHRIS, UK

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Herd of elephants

Room very very hot just managed to cool down and nodding off when what sounded like a herd of elephants above my room arrived at 12 of clockmidnight.Honestly thought the ceiling was going to collapse.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017

4/10 Poor

greg

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

hotel

no space in the room, but the location was excellent
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017

8/10 Good

C, Lancashire, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

In the hills near the Lake

The rooms and facilities were nice, though my bed did not stop creaking every time I moved and I move a lot. And there were so many families here during this time, so the place was louder than expected.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2017

10/10 Excellent

JASBINDER

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was the first time we have stayed in a hostel so was a bit unsure of what it was going to like. Everything was great looking forward to going g again next year
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

乾淨，景觀漂亮的青旅

適合背包客或是全家出遊露營，背包客房間無足夠的插座，水壓很少，離公車站牌有一段距離須走約莫半小時。

6/10 Okay

MEI LAN

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
飯店說提供早餐沒說要另外付費，我們以為是免費的，誰知道還要另訂付費，語言不清楚，感覺真不好

8/10 Good

Luiz

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Wonderful view

Nice hostel, excellent cost benefit. Amazing kitchen, nice room and bathroom but don´t expect too much luxury. The views are definitely worthwhile. Staff was really cool and easy to park.

10/10 Excellent

Vivien

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely staff. Excellent breakfast. Friendly environment. Peaceful setting. Gorgeous grounds......house had interesting history

10/10 Excellent

Declan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent value for money

Excellent value for money with good facilities and a scenic location