Theatre by the Lake
One of the most beautifully located theatres in England, hosting film and literary festivals throughout the year.
YHA Borrowdale
Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5XEOverview
YHA Borrowdale is perfect for outdoor activity breaks, school trips and family holidays. This large Lakeland hostel has a fabulous valley location amidst a landscape of epic proportions, coupled with a warm, informal and welcoming atmosphere.
The hostel is a longstanding Lake District favourite, a recommended stop on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast and an ideal bolt-hole for anyone with their sights set on a stress-free high level activity holiday, be it climbing, hiking or family-friendly walking holidays you’re keen on.
Why guests love YHA Borrowdale
Accommodation at YHA Borrowdale
The hostel
YHA Borrowdale 86 beds including a selection of dorm beds and private rooms as well as camping pitches. This large Lake District hostel is cosy and full of character - perfect for adventure holidays. All-in-all, with its exceptionally welcoming staff, well-stocked bar, great value meals, extensive grounds and campsite, YHA Borrowdale and the breath-taking beauty you’ll find outside make for a lovely Lakeland stay.
Camping Pods
If you like camping, you'll love these wooden camping pods! We have three Standard Pods at YHA Borrowdale, each sleeping two people, and a stay in them will include all the fun of camping plus protection from the elements, they even have heaters. Bring all your usual camping gear, apart from sleeping bags and mats - there are two single beds with bedding. Each pod also has its own individual decking area.
Camping
Please note that camping is sold per person and not per pitch and so, during the booking process, you will need to select the number of people that you wish to camp.
Set in large grounds on the banks of the river Derwent and surrounded by high Lakeland fells, YHA Borrowdale is popular with campers throughout the summer months.There is room for up to 25 campers to sleep comfortably.
Facilities Campers have access to all of the Youth Hostel facilities including the self-catering kitchen, cafe-bar, restaurant, drying room and laundry from 7am until 11pm.
There are separate campsite toilets and showers which are open 24 hours a day.
Parking
Parking is available in the main car park, just next to the camping field, which means you won't be trudging around for miles with your camping gear!
Check In
The Youth Hostel reception is open from 7am until 11pm and campers can check in any time from midday onwards.
Food and drink at YHA Borrowdale
Things to do around YHA Borrowdale
Boat trips on Derwentwater
Cruise the lake stopping at the lakeshore jetties where you can change boats, or enjoy the 50 minute trip around Derwentwater.
Whinlatter Forest
The Altura Trail which puts altitude into mountain biking or there's a Go Ape! with it's high wire forest adventure course.
Osprey View Point
Spectacular view of the ospreys flying to and from their nest and, most amazing of all, catching fish from Bassenthwaite Lake.
Honister Slate Mine
For underground tours and the popular Via Ferrata. Edge along ladders and bridges to reach a summit viewpoint over Buttermere. Visit the website
Keswick Golf Club
An 18 hole golf course offering a unique golfing experience - with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Lakeland Fells.
The Puzzling Place
Stuffed with puzzles, gadgets and curiosities The Puzzling Place is guaranteed to have something to amuse, entertain or puzzle you.
Keswick Museum and Art Gallery
With its large collection of exhibits, the museum is a fascinating place to discover old Keswick and the Lake District. See the museum website.
Walking and Rambling in Borrowdale
There is no better place for climbing Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Bowfell.
Mountain biking in Borrowdale
The 19 kilometre red grade Altura trail has two loops which includes 15 kilometres of challenging single track sections and popular features like berms, jumps, rock features, skinnies, cork screws and
Cycling in Borrowdale
Cycling around Derwentwater is a great day in the saddle. Admire the ever changing and breathtaking views across Derwentwater and stop off at the cafe at Grange and Keswick to keep you going.
Climbing in Borrowdale
Shepherd's crag is a unique climbing ground! The buttresses provide good pitches for both beginner and tiger. The rock is generally excellent.
Watersports around Borrowdale
Fast and furious dragon boat racing is a must for groups and for something totally different, don't miss the experience of sailing or rowing a Viking Longboat.
Running in Borrowdale
The Borrowdale valley has a great reputation with fell runners. And thanks to the races the hostel organises, YHA Borrowdale is now attracting plenty of people with a passion for dashing.
The Lake District Wildlife Park
With over 100 species of animals, you can spend the whole day wandering around the beautiful 25 acre park. Visit the website (Formally known as Trotters World of Animals.)
Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
Enjoy the wonderful aroma of freshly baked gingerbread and sample the delights inside the tiny shop.
From the Fells to Everest
Explore Borrowdale’s surrounding landscape, as part of a free walk and talk being led by the record-breaking young adversity adventurer and author Alex Staniforth on Sunday 19th August. Organised b
Plattyplus watersports
Based on the shores of Derwent Water, you can hire equipment or take a lesson in kayaking, canoeing, sailing and windsurfing. Visit the Platty+ website
YHA Borrowdale's 80th birthday celebrations!
This year we’ve been celebrating YHA Borrowdale’s 80th birthday and our official party is on Sunday 15th September. There’ll be fun, games, cake and optional ‘vintage hosteller’ fancy dress. W
Facilities
General
- Ambulant accessible
- Classroom
- Cot available
- Cycle store
- Free wi-fi
- Garden / grounds
- Wheelchair accessible
Essentials
- Drying room
- Laundry
- Lounge
- Luggage store
Entertainment
- Board games
- Games room
Accommodation options
- Private rooms available
- En suite rooms available
- Disabled access rooms available
- Camping and Cabins
Food & drink
- Group catering available
- Licensed bar
- Meals available
- Self-catering kitchen
Transportation & parking
- Parking
Other YHA products
- Meeting Rooms & Corporate Hire
- Trade bookings
- YHA School Trips
Need to know
Check in: 17.00 - 22.00
Check out: Before 10.00
Open every day?: Yes - availability is released three months in advance.
Towels and toiletries: Towels and toiletries are not supplied but are available to hire and purchase from reception. Bedding is supplied.
Parking: There is no access for coaches, nearest drop off 400 metres.
Pets: Dogs can stay on our campsite and in our camping pods. There is a £5 charge per dog per night for our camping pod accommodation which is payable upon arrival. You can bring your dog for free if you are camping in your own tent. Pets are not permitted in the hostel accommodation at YHA Borrowdale however, assistance dogs are welcome throughout, please advise upon booking.
Wi-Fi: Free wi-fi is available in social spaces.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served from 7.30 til 9am
YHA Borrowdale - Access Statement
(PDF download - 103.01 KB)
YHA School Trips
YHA Borrowdale is perfect for outdoor activity breaks for school groups. There are also geography, science and biology educational packages available from KS2 - A level. The hostel has 86 beds, classroom facilities and provides group catering.
Visit the YHA School Trips website to book your visit.
Volunteering
Volunteering with YHA is a fantastic way to have fun, learn new skills, boost your CV and travel to different places. We have a variety of different opportunities to choose from and volunteering roles to suit everyone.
The tasks are varied and in return you will meet some great people, who both work and stay in our hostels, as well as enjoying your time off discovering the local area and attractions.
You can find out more and apply to volunteer at this hostel on the volunteering website.
History
In 1932, one of YHA’s earliest hostels, Grange-in-Borrowdale opened and was considered a great success. Due to the wardens not wishing to run their premises as a hostel any longer, the hostel eventually closed in September 1937. During Easter 1939, YHA opened Longthwaite-in-Borrowdale youth hostel and today, YHA Borrowdale is still a longstanding Lake District favourite (just like all those years ago.)
Meet the team
Manager recommends: For climbing holidays and hiking holidays, scaling Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, Great Gable and Bowfell will reward your effort with some fantastic views. For family walking holidays try the walk to Watendlath, Langstrath or along the crystal clear River Derwent to Castle Crag to relax and restore. For outdoor activity breaks, The Honister Via Ferrata, Whinlatter Mountain Biking and Go Ape tree-top ropes course are sure to exhilarate. We have all the ingredients needed for a wonderful day out on the Fells, perfect for family breaks and school trips. Brilliant!
On a seriously hot day there really is only one place to visit and that’s ‘Black Moss Pot’. The legendary local swimming spot is where brave souls can dive off 15-foot high rocks into the plunge pool or simply find a comfy patch of grass and do some quality sunbathing.
Visit the Bowder Stone. Thought to weigh 2,000 tons and standing 30 feet high, this ginormous boulder is one of the most famous and quirkiest sights in the Lake District. It is balanced, seemingly preposterously, on one edge and has a ladder to the top.
