Wayfrers Hostel - Penrith - Closed

[cycleruk]

I had planned a 2 day ride with an overnight stop at Wayfarers but other arrangements will now need to be made.
https://wayfarershostel.com

[Carlton green]

That’s sad news, but it led me to discover that there’s a large network of independent hostels (of which Penrith was a part).
https://independenthostels.co.uk/englan ... s-hostels/

[mdskids]

I know it's not the same, and a bit soulless in comparison, but if you're stuck you could always stay at the Premier Inn. They have a pretty good bike policy in my experience, and you can fuel up at the buffet breakfast (plus get supplies for lunch too if you're discrete... )

[axel_knutt]

That’s sad news, but it led me to discover that there’s a large network of independent hostels (of which Penrith was a part).
https://independenthostels.co.uk/englan ... s-hostels/

Quite a lot of the hostels the YHA sold became independent, if only for a while before closing anyway, and quite a lot of the YHA ones are actually independently owned, and just taking the YHA franchise. Covid seems to have decimated the independent hostel list, all but a handful of the ones I used appear to have closed. A lot of them are groups only, which isn't very helpful if you tour alone as I did. If you're thinking of using them, beware that many have mixed dorms, if that bothers you.

[Paulatic]

I had planned a 2 day ride with an overnight stop at Wayfarers but other arrangements will now need to be made.
https://wayfarershostel.com

I was in Penrith in August and saw the for sale sign. I thought it was just the house next door which they bought a few years ago and expanded.
I’ve stayed there most years but not been back since lockdown. Best cycle storage of anywhere I’ve been. Met lots of interesting people there and a memorable 5 nights, when the Birthday Rides were held near, shared the room mixed with a retired cycling midwife.
If you get near Kirby Stephen that’s an interesting hostel in old church. Denise, owner, is a character.

[AlanInBangor]

Sad news, I've stayed here a couple of times, most recently in October 2024, it was an excellent hostel, one of the best.

[Pendodave]

It's definitely bad news, but I suspect there's more to come. I've stayed at the hostel in Kirkby Stephen, and Bute backpackers in Rothesay a couple of times in the last year or so. Enjoyed the unique character of both, but it's really hard to see them staying open once their current owners have had enough.
After all, they are probably pretty expensive to run (old, poorly insulated buildings), and don't charge a lot. I doubt they provide much above subsistence income for what is probably quite a challenging business to run.