Cycling in Cambridge
The Cambridge area is a great place for cyclists and is one of the top cycling cities in Britain - an excellent opportunity to admire the city’s open spaces and beautiful architecture.
YHA Cambridge
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 2DNOverview
One of YHA’s oldest and best-loved hostels, YHA Cambridge provides superb, modern accommodation for those looking to explore the historic city of Cambridge. The youth hostel is in a prime location, only three minutes’ walk from the train station, and gives you a perfect base to take in the magnificent university buildings, beautiful gardens and unique shops which characterise the city.
Recently benefitting from a £1.4m refurbishment, YHA Cambridge has 24-hour access and all the facilities you’ll need to make the most of your visit.
Why guests love YHA Cambridge
Accommodation at YHA Cambridge
Bed in a shared room
Dorm rooms have multiple beds and are shared with other people who may not be travelling together. They are usually more affordable than private rooms as you'll be booking a bed rather than the whole room.
A typical shared dorm room includes bunk beds, a reading light and a storage cupboard for each guest.
Children aged between 12 and 15 can stay in dorm rooms as long as an adult of the same gender accompanies them.
Shared shower and toilet facilities are located near to the room. None of our dorm rooms have en-suite facilities.
Private rooms
Want some privacy? With a private room, you'll be booking the whole room for your stay.
Private rooms typically include a storage cupboard and reading light for each bed, plus a wash hand basin.
Shared shower and toilet facilities are located near to the room.
Private en-suite rooms
For added privacy, relax with your family, friends or by yourself in a private en-suite room.
Private en-suite rooms typically include a storage cupboard and reading light for each bed, plus shower and toilet facilities solely for the people in your room.
Food and drink at YHA Cambridge
Things to do around YHA Cambridge
Cambridge City Sightseeing Bus Tours
Sightseeing has never been so much fun! Hop On and Hop Off as much as you like at any of the bus stops on the route and see all the best sights and attractions that the Cambridge has to offer.&n
Cambridge University Botanic Garden
If you prefer living exhibits, the University Botanic Gardens are a hidden treasure. The site’s 40 acres include large glasshouses with tropical plants and outdoor displays of domestic species c
Mill Road
Just minutes from YHA Cambridge, this colourful stretch is one of the best streets in the UK for vintage shopping! Rest in an electic cafe or find your new favourite item of clothing.
Grantchester
Stroll through the meadows and along the river to the little postcard village of Grantchester where the Orchard Tea Garden awaits you.
Cambridge Science Centre
Kids will love learning about electricity, gravity and more at this exciting science centre with interactive exhibits. Follow in the footsteps of Hawking, Newton and Darwin!
Scudamores Punting
See another side of Cambridge only seen from a punt. With a Punting tour you can get to see the beauty of the historic colleges from the water.
Hostel facilities
- 24-hour access
- 24-hour reception
- Ambulant accessible
- Baby changing
- Breakfast
- Café
- City view
- Contactless payments
- Corridor zoning
- Cycle store
- Dining room
- Evening meals
- Full mobile coverage
- Games
- Group meals
- Highchair
- Licensed bar
- Luggage store
- Near airport
- Near bus stop
- Near train station
- Outdoor seating
- Packed lunch
- Restaurant
- Self-catering kitchen
- Shared drying room
- Shared laundry room
- Shared lounge
- Shared TV
- Vending machines
- Water refill station
- Wheelchair accessible
- WiFi
Hostel need to know
Reception opening hours: 24 hours.
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests from 07:30 – 09:00 on weekdays and 07:30 – 10:00 at weekends. Evening meals are temporarily unavailable at this hostel.
Self-catering: Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Restaurant and Café opening hours: Scholar’s Café and Bar is open to the public from 11:00 - 20:30, Monday to Sunday.
Towels and toiletries: Hand soap is provided next to all sinks. Towels are not supplied as standard but can be rented or purchased from reception. Bedding is supplied in all rooms.
Parking: On street parking is available from Monday - Saturday, 17:00 - 09:00 and all day Sunday. At all other times parking is metered with a maximum two-hour stay. There is no coach parking at YHA Cambridge, groups can only be dropped off on Devonshire Road.
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA Cambridge. Assistance dogs are welcome - please notify us at the time of booking.
YHA Cambridge - Access Statement
(PDF download - 55.41 KB)
YHA School Trips
Located close to the town centre, YHA Cambridge provides a great base from which your school group can explore this beautiful university city. Facilities include Internet access and group catering - perfect for a school trip!
Book your YHA School Trip.
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.
Find out more and apply to volunteer at this hostel through YHA volunteering.
History
Did you know there were two previous Cambridge hostels before the current YHA Cambridge?
The first Cambridge Claremont hostel opened in 1934 thanks to the Cambridge University Group. Claremont closed in 1938 and Cherry Hinton Hall opened in 1939. It was a much larger and modern building. The facility was well used in its short career, closing in the outbreak of war and replaced after conflicts by the Tenison Road hostel - the current YHA Cambridge building.
On 28th March 1945, Tenison Road hostel opened for business. Did you know this YHA was built in the Victorian times as a town house? Since it opened as a hostel there have been four extensions due to its ever-increasing popularity.
Meet the team
Manager recommends: King's College and St John's College are great places to visit on your Cambridge city break, you can feel the history oozing from the brickwork! For something different, view them on a punt tour and let the tour guide give you a fantastic account of their history. Or explore one of the largest and most opulent Jacobean houses in England: Audley End House. Meander through the magnificent state apartments, glorious great hall and 1880s service wing to discover the workings of this gargantuan mansion.
