England and Wales are blessed with some truly brilliant short-break destinations, whether you’re yearning to explore a big city or craving a trip to the countryside. Here we’ve cherry-picked four of our favourite hostels for a long weekend to remember in the UK...
YHA Conwy
Nearly 750 years ago, Edward I ordered the construction of a fortress as the centrepiece of the walled town of Conwy, close to the coastline of North Wales. Its medieval towers still loom over the region today, with the castle’s imposing majesty now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As historical attractions go, it’s up there with the best.
A more modern — and rather more modest — addition to the townscape is YHA Conwy, which actually sits outside the town’s ancient walls, giving it the benefit of panoramic views over the castle, and the mountains beyond.
In terms of its suitability for a long weekend, this location is key. As well as having Conwy itself on the doorstep — not to mention the sandy beaches of Conwy Bay — it’s also close to both the Isle of Anglesey and Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, meaning you can shape a few days here as you see fit, focusing on history, relaxation or the great outdoors.
And there’s more to the town of Conwy than the castle. Other points of interest around the centre include the grand Plas Mawr townhouse, the busy marina and (last, and technically least, too) the Smallest House in Great Britain.
Stay at YHA Conwy
YHA Hawkshead
This Lake District hostel has knock-out good looks — being set in a Grade II listed house close to Esthwaite Water — and has been part of YHA’s portfolio since the early 1940s. There’s a lot to love about it, from the Regency features of the downstairs areas to the greenery of the grounds and gardens, which hold everything from camping pods and premium bell tents to spacious tipis.
What really makes it special, of course, are the landscapes that surround it. Nearby Grizedale Forest is webbed with woodland trails — there are options for walkers, cyclists and even horse riders — and has this year launched a Stick Man trail for young adventurers, while Esthwaite Water offers self-drive or guided trips on electric boats to view the ospreys that take up residence here from April to October. Both Windermere and Coniston Water are also close to the hostel.
This is also Beatrix Potter country, and her farmhouse retreat of Hill Top is just a couple of miles from the hostel. Run by the National Trust, it’s full of the writer’s mementoes and also plays home to a cottage-style garden of flowers and vegetables. You’ll spot inspiration for her books wherever you turn.
Stay at YHA Hawkshead
YHA Liverpool Albert Dock
Liverpool’s historic waterfront has few equals when it comes to heritage. Looking out across the wide River Mersey — still criss-crossed by regular passenger ferries — it’s where you’ll find the so-called Three Graces, a trio of period buildings that have towered over the waterfront for well over a century.
Close by, you’ll come to the handsome Royal Albert Dock, where a quadrangle of 170-year-old red-brick buildings hold the likes of Tate Liverpool and the Beatles Story Museum, the most in-depth of the various Liverpool attractions dedicated to the Fab Four. Just a few minutes’ walk from here, meanwhile, brings you to YHA Liverpool Albert Dock.
And as well as being the perfect base for exploring the waterfront, it’s also well placed for enjoying the wider city. A number of key nightlife venues are within walking distance — including live music hub The Camp & Furnace — while elsewhere you can visit attractions such as The Cavern Club, the Walker Art Gallery and the colossal Cathedral of Liverpool.
Did someone say football? The city is also, of course, home to both Everton FC and Liverpool FC, and the latter’s legendary Anfield Stadium offers tours year-round — just the thing if you can’t bag a match ticket.
Stay at YHA Liverpool Albert Dock
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
One of the jewels in the YHA crown, this longstanding hillwalkers’ hostel sits on a mountain pass more than 1,000 feet above sea level. Wander out of the front door and you’re just steps away from the beginning of the Miners’ Track and Pyg Track, two popular routes heading all the way to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon), the highest peak in England and Wales. Locations don’t get much more plum.
The hostel itself has a rich history, having been a famed climbers’ and hikers’ inn long before it came under the YHA umbrella in the 1960s. Indeed, past guests include the famed George Mallory, who fatefully attempted an Everest ascent in 1924.
That said, you certainly don’t need to be a hardened alpinist to enjoy a stay here. Even if you’re not climbing Yr Wyddfa — or other spectacular local summits such as Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach — there’s much to enjoy nearby, from the Snowdon Mountain Railway to the dramatic Castell Dolbadarn.
And if more outdoor thrills are what you’re after, take your pick from attractions such as the Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre — renowned for its watersports — and the adrenaline-heavy Zip World, which has no less than three adventure-packed sites within reach.
Stay at YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
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