Farne Islands
17 miles A range of boat trips are available to see the most famous sea bird sanctuary in the British Isles with a large colony of Grey Seals. Visit the village of Seahouses for fish and chips while...
YHA Alnwick
Overview
YHA Alnwick is located in the heart of the medieval town of Alnwick. Once the town’s Victorian Court House, its central location makes it ideal for a visit to Alnwick Castle, the medieval pile which featured in the early Harry Potter films as Hogwarts, as well as the neighbouring Alnwick Garden.
Plus, a short car journey takes you to the fabulous Northumberland coast and its glorious unspoilt beaches. Opened by HRH the Queen in 2011, this 4-star hostel provides quality budget accommodation, suitable for families, independent travellers and groups alike.
Accommodation at this hostel
- Bed in a shared room is offered here
- Private room is offered here
- Entire place is offered here
- Camping & Cabins is not offered here
Why guests love this hostel
- Free WiFi in shared social spaces
- Historic building
- Games room with small pool table
Accommodation at YHA Alnwick
Group booking
Serviced group stays for 16 to 57 people
Want a great base for exploring Alnwick Castle, the Northumberland coast and Lindisfarne? YHA Alnwick is positioned in the town centre and is perfect for visiting one of most historically important places in the north of England.
Top attractions can be reached from the door, and you’ll find favourites like Alnwick Castle and Alnwick Gardens less than a mile away. Wildlife lovers and biology students are just a 15 minute drive from Lindisfarne, or you could brush up on history with a visit to the castles of Bamburgh, Warkworth and Dunstanburgh.
Group-friendly facilities
Sleeping arrangements
Most of our bedrooms are dormitory style rooms with bunk beds. We always try to allocate bedrooms close together and will never ask your group to share bedrooms with anyone not in your group.
Upgrades are available for sole use of an area, floor or the entire place.
Shared spaces
This hostel has free WiFi to keep groups entertained, plus plenty of space to play or study. Groups can expect a games room, quiet room and outdoor space with picnic tables. There’s also a meeting room with projector, whiteboard and flip chart.
Group catering
With tasty breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals, groups are sure to find something delicious to eat at YHA Alnwick.
Meal plans range from bed and breakfast up to full-board catering. Vegetarian options are available and we aim to cater for any special dietary requests.
Parking
There is free on-street parking near the hostel.
Hostel facilities
- 24-hour access after check-in
- Ambulant accessible
- Baby changing
- BBQ area
- Breakfast
- Classroom(s)
- Coach parking nearby
- Contactless payments
- Cycle store
- Dining room
- Free on-street parking
- Games
- Group meals
- Highchair
- Intermittent mobile coverage
- Library
- Licensed bar
- Luggage store
- Meeting room(s)
- Minibus parking nearby
- Near bus stop
- Outdoor seating
- Self-catering kitchen
- Shared drying room
- Shared laundry room
- Shared lounge
- Shared TV
- Sole use available
- Wheelchair accessible
- WiFi
Hostel need to know
Reception opening hours: From 08:00 - 10:00 and 16:00 - 19:30 (19:00 from November - March).
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests daily.
Self-catering: Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Parking: There is free on-street parking near the hostel.
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA Alnwick. Assistance dogs are welcome - please notify us at the time of booking.
Food and drink at YHA Alnwick
Things to do around YHA Alnwick
Chillingham Castle
This ancient and remarkable fortress has alarming dungeons and torture chambers, as well as the beautiful parklands and gardens. It is reputed to be Britain's most Haunted Historic Castle! Visit the...
Bailiffgate Museum
The people and places of north Northumberland are brought to life here in lively, interactive style.
Seahouses
Seahouses is a good access point to the nearby Farne Islands. This small seaside town is a very popular holiday resort.
Alnwick Castle
Tour the castle and enjoy fascinating stories from the past. Children can step into the world of a medieval knight or pretend to be witches and wizards as they stroll the corridors. Alnwick Castle is...
Walking and Rambling in Alnwick
Get back to nature and stride out on foot to explore the beauty of this part of the country. Whether it be walking routes or off the beaten track, you are sure to enjoy wandering around and taking in...
Cragside House and Gardens
The home of Victorian inventor and landscape genius Lord Armstrong. Crammed full of ingenious gadgets, and the first house to be lit by hydro-electricity. Visit the National Trust website page
Bamburgh Castle
Explore 14 public areas, learn more about the castle and watch history being uncovered during archaeological excavations. Sample Northumberland produce from the tea rooms. Visit the castle's website
Barter Books
Barter Books is one of the largest second hand bookshops in Britain. Considered a local tourist attraction, Barter Books is a book shop situated in an old train station.
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne is famous both for its medieval religious heritage and its picturesque 16th century castle.
Watersports in Alnwick
Dive head first into water fun and action and you'll find yourself taking to the water like a pro! Take the plunge and enjoy some fun on (or in) the water!
Mountain biking in Alnwick
Get out and about on your bike and enjoy the rolling landscape. Whether you are after hard core down hills, or just a simple ride along the landscape taking in some beautiful views, you can ride as...
Cycling in Alnwick
Jump on your bike and enjoy the rolling landscape on two wheels. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just fancy a ride, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Climbing near Alnwick
Simonside (near Rothbury) has three fine crags, the northern scarps of the moors to the north of Rothbury offer brilliant climbing. Further west are Sandy Crag, Linshiels, The Drakestone and South...
More about this hostel
History
YHA Alnwick is formed of two very different buildings which were used by the local council until recently as office space.
The main building dates back to 1856, and was built as the town's first Court House - the imposing bare stone walls downstairs emphasise the sense of authority and order. Now almost demolished, the town's Correction House stretched away towards the town at the back of the building. All that remains is the outer wall, forming part of our back yard wall and the name of the alleyway that runs between the two buildings - Correction House Alley. The east building is actually a range of two smaller cottages, knocked together at some stage in the early 20th Century.
Back in the 1820s these buildings were leased to the local constabulary, the forerunner of the police force in Northumberland. A passage led through between the two buildings to a cobbled yard, illuminated by a gas lamp - rather extravagant for a domestic property. Here a small stable was provided for the pony that used to haul the police cart. The cobbles, the stable and the gas lamp bracket still exist. The courthouse and police houses fell out of use when the new police station and court room was constructed on Prudhoe Street in the 1920s.
The hostel sits on Green Batt - the name may derive from the area of land used by the yeomen of the town to practise their archery, known as a butt, and as this was outside the town walls, the land would have been fields, hence, Green Batt.
Meet the team
We are a small, friendly team at YHA Alnwick. We look forward to welcoming guests, both new and returning, to the hostel. YHA Alnwick is a perfect base for cyclists who want to experience and explore the many and varied cycling routes that North Northumberland has to offer. We are currently undertaking an exciting project to transform one of our unused outbuildings into a dedicated cycle hub.
YHA Alnwick is a not-for-profit social enterprise, with profits being donated to good causes in the local area.
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