Idependent Hostels

axel_knutt · Post by **axel_knutt** » 28 Jul 2007, 3:54pm

Now that I'm using more and more independents as YHA's close, I thought I'd start a thread for people to post their recommendations or otherwise.

Bath YMCA
Clean, good shower, some mixed dorms, middle of town location, no bike shed but chain it to seat in courtyard off street. Cooked breakast available but no self catering!! They allow you to take your own cold food in during the evening, but not when they're serving their own during the day.

Exeter Globe
Average clean, very good shower, some mixed dorms, middle of town, keep bike in reception, kitchen OK but small and VERY hot!

Plymouth Globe
Average clean, good shower, some mixed dorms, located by Hoe, keep bike in back yard, nice and roomy kitchen OK.

Glastonbury
Part of hotel in town centre, well above average cleanliness, shower OK, kitchen/diner fine, noisy at weekends, carry bike upstairs and chain it to bannister on landing.

Matts Surf Lodge Newquay
Scruffiest I've stayed in, but cheapest too (£10 in 2006). One of two showers not working, kitchen clean and good size, chain bike to fire escape at back. Help yourself to muesli for breakfast.

Whitesands Lodge Sennen
Small annexe at back of B&B/cafe. Room clean but kitchen/diner piled high with unwashed pots. Ropey knobs on gas cooker caused anxiety about leaks (may have changed since 2002). Small bike shelter.

Ulverston
Pleasant hostel, and clean. Nice kitchen, good shower, meals available, don't know about bike shed.

Hamilton, Fishguard
A year or three since I stayed, but from memory it was clean and pleasant. Fair sized kitchen, help yourself to toast for breakfast, shower ok, beds larger than average. Not sure about bike shed, but I think there was an enclosed back garden and an awning. Nice lounge with satellite TV. Open 24 hours for ferries.

Post by **Mick F** » 28 Jul 2007, 4:19pm

Good thread!

Pitlochry Backpackers
Great. Friendly. Clean. Centre of town on main street. Secure bike store round the back. Dorms clean, bright and airy, and comfortable. Breakfast was simple and cheap - cornflakes, toast, jam, tea/coffee - or bring your own. Reasonably priced. Would stay there again.

Oxford Backpackers
Not good. Noisy and crass. Over-busy. Lockable bike store at the front, but very overloaded not just with bikes - junk and old fridges! Dorms cramped and airless - tiny windows. Kitchen should've opened at 0700, but not till 0730 coz desk staff got in late. Reasonably priced. I'll stay at Oxford YHA next time, even though it's a bit expensive.

Asdace · Post by **Asdace** » 29 Jul 2007, 2:36am

Sandra's Backpackers, Thurso. Cheap and very clean, George and Sandra who run the place are friendly and are backpackers themselves.

There are private rooms with wc/showers or droms, Internet access, dvd/video/tv in the lounge with well equiped pine kitchen.

The hostel situtated above the Chip shop, George and Sandra also run that too. Pizza's are very tasty, very handy for LeJog.

Although it's a few years now since I've been to it, George may of added a few extras. http://www.sandras-backpackers.co.uk/

PH · Post by PH » 29 Jul 2007, 3:18am

Yes, good idea.

Kipps. Canterbury.
Easy walk into town. Good kitchen, cycle store, launderette. As with all city hostels it tends to attract groups of students, so not the quietest place. For an extra fiver you can have a private room.

Backpackers. Whitby
Close to town centre. Bikes come into the corridor. Decent kitchen and lounge. Fantastic showers, limited drying facilities but short walk to laundrette. Otherwise pretty basic and all the better for it. Cheaper and more friendly than the YHA. A quiet after midnight policy, good thing.

The Ship. Kirkby In Furness.
My favorite. A hostel in a pub. Good beer, food, showers, drying room, cycle shed and cheap. I can’t do it justice, I’d detour to visit again, have a look at the website;
http://www.theship1691.co.uk/

Backpackers. Bala
I liked it, my traveling companion didn’t so I’m reluctant to recommend. All facilities and close to town. The quiet after 11pm policy could have been better enforced.

Morags. Fort Augustus
We had the hostel to ourselves due to a group cancellation. It seems to be geared up for coach parties (as many Scottish hostels are) It has everything you could want, but the dorms are large and I’m not sure I’d want to stay when it was busy.

Newtonmore.
Run by a keen cyclist and offering everything you’d expect. Pioneers of independent hostels and very enthusiastic, they ought to give lessons to the YHA. Plenty of local knowledge if you’re cycling in the area. One of the friendliest places I’ve ever stayed and a discount for not arriving by car.

That’s it, some have been better than others, no really bad ones. They’ve all been clean and well managed, more than can be said for some YHAs.

axel_knutt · Post by **axel_knutt** » 30 Jul 2007, 11:59am

Mick F wrote:Oxford Backpackers
Not good. Noisy and crass. Over-busy. Lockable bike store at the front, but very overloaded not just with bikes - junk and old fridges! Dorms cramped and airless - tiny windows. Kitchen should've opened at 0700, but not till 0730 coz desk staff got in late. Reasonably priced. I'll stay at Oxford YHA next time, even though it's a bit expensive.

The one on Hythe Bridge Street I take it. When I was there I could hardly get the bike shed door open let alone a bike in. After I went back up to reception, she came down, threw the other bikes on top of the pile of junk as if she was throwing bricks in a skip and looked at me as if to say "so what's the problem?". Apart from the pokey kitchen, my main gripe was being gassed by air freshener.

As a 48 year old, I've noticed that many independents tend to be frequented mostly by youngsters, some of whom don't always make you feel welcome. Has anyone tried Richards in Leicester? It's a useful location now that Copt Oak has gone, but is it right that there's an 18-28 age limit?

I was interested to see the Ship, I'd not found that on any of the lists. Over the winter I spent some cutting and pasting time compiling one big hostel list that combines the YHA and all the independents from the separate lists. I could post it on here, but I suppose I'd end up in bother with copyright....

vernon · Post by **vernon** » 30 Jul 2007, 2:43pm

axel_knutt wrote:Now that I'm using more and more independents as YHA's close, I thought I'd start a thread for people to post their recommendations or otherwise.

The Generator, London

Near Kings Cross station. International hostel with dorms bar - a bit loud and boisterous but cheap.

Crazydave · Post by **Crazydave** » 30 Jul 2007, 3:44pm

No offence to anyone here, but why do you not want young people in the hostels. The YHA's initial aim was to help young people of limited means to a greater understanding and appreciation of the countryside. While I don't think they should have an age limit, I do think it is a shame that not so many people my age use them.

Post by **Mick F** » 30 Jul 2007, 8:39pm

Yes Axel, it was the one on Hythe Bridge Street. I won't be back.

And Dave, there are young people and young people. Young people are ok, of course, but some young people are not. The sort that were in at Oxford Backpackers during my visits were noisy, inconsiderate, and either drunk or going out to get drunk. Some were unemployed, or down and outs, and most were on 'benefits'. The place SEEMED to be a drop-in centre for the needy.

Of course, I may be wrong.

andrew_s · Post by **andrew_s** » 31 Jul 2007, 2:19am

Gardiesfauld Hostel, Uyeasound, Unst
Excellent hostel, a "no alcohol" rule, nearest pub 5 miles off (and shop).
I failed to investigate the cycle storage options - I just propped mine against the wall.
Watch otters out the window, if you are lucky.

axel_knutt · Post by **axel_knutt** » 31 Jul 2007, 4:36pm

I'll mix with people of any age, but the young are not renowned for their willingness to mix with old fogeys of their parents generation, hence the age limit of 28 at Richards hostel, presumably.

Asdace · Post by **Asdace** » 31 Jul 2007, 5:09pm

axel_knutt wrote:I'll mix with people of any age, but the young are not renowned for their willingness to mix with old fogeys of their parents generation, hence the age limit of 28 at Richards hostel, presumably.

Then I must be a old fogey at 51 years old. Mmm anyone that dares to call me a old fogey will get a bike pump rammed up the old channel.

TrevA · Post by **TrevA** » 3 Aug 2007, 5:57pm

HoBo backpackers Hostel, Tredegar, South Wales:

http://www.hostelswales.com/hobo-backpackers.htm

It's run by Horace (Ho) and his partner Bo. Very nice. They even have a dedicated room for storing your bike. It's got a kitchen, showers and several large bedrooms. Stayed there twice. Well recommended.

dgibby · Post by **dgibby** » 6 Aug 2007, 11:18am

Another two for the list (from my recent LEJOG)

Sparrowhawk Hostel, Moretonhampsted
Very friendly place with great kitchen (vegetarian cooking only) facilities (late shop just 1 min walk away). Nice shower and clean bedroom - though when I stayed there I was the only guest so had 16 bed room all to myself

Lotus Lodge, Wanlockhead
Old SYHA been renovated to a high standard. Complimentary breakfast (help yourself) included. Great place!

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