Osprey View Point
Spectacular view of the ospreys flying to and from their nest and, most amazing of all, catching fish from Bassenthwaite Lake.
YHA Ennerdale
Cleator, Cumbria, CA23 3AXOverview
COVID-19 Industry Standard
In Partnership with The National Tourist Organisation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In recognition that this business has confirmed that they have followed government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, ensuring processes are in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social/physical distancing.
If you want to get away from it all and catch a true taste of the Lake District, then YHA Ennerdale really is the hostel for you. Situated in a remote wooded valley and surrounded by fells, ridges and famous peaks, these converted forestry cottages make for a cosy rural retreat.
Perfect for outdoor activity breaks, the hostel is surrounded by great terrain for walking and cycling holidays, scaling ridges and scrambling. For the eco-conscious, YHA Ennerdale has an off-grid, hydro-electric power supply and even generates its own drinking water!
Why guests love YHA Ennerdale
Accommodation at YHA Ennerdale
The hostel
The YHA Ennerdale site comprises a hostel and camping barn. There is space for 20 people in total. You'll find a handy entrance porch to store wet clothes and dirty boots, along with plenty of space to socialise. If you're a keen cyclist or walker, you're in for a warm welcome!
This Youth Hostel has 20 beds available as both private and dorm rooms (one of which is en-suite) as well as a combined dining room and lounge area which has a great atmosphere when filled with guests. Forget the TV, the internet and your mobile phone, this remote Youth Hostel has no mobile phone signal and no Wi-Fi – a tranquil mountain retreat minus distractions from the outside world.
The cosy lounge has amazing views of the surrounding wilderness, a log fire to keep your warm, and a selection of board games so you can go back to basics and make your own entertainment.
If it’s an eco-break you’re looking for then you’ve come to the right place. So you can relax safe in the knowledge that while staying here, you’re doing your bit for the environment whilst enjoying your break.
Camping Barn
A traditional 16th century barn in a remote Lakeland valley, this is an excellent base for exploring the fells, rock climbing and cycling, the barn is also on the Coast to Coast so it's perfect for walking holidays. There are three sleeping areas on first and second floors and a sitting room, cooking area and bathroom on the ground floor. Pre-booked breakfasts, picnic lunches and evening meals can often be arranged with YHA Ennerdale.
Facilities
Toilets in same building: Yes, there is one toilet
Electric lights: Yes
Electric sockets: No - there are USB points in the bedrooms
Hot water: Yes
Showers: Yes, there is one shower
Fridge: Yes
Cooking facilities: Yes
Cooking utensils: Yes
Heater: Yes but only when the hydro turbine is generating excess power
Bunk beds: No
Dogs allowed: Yes
Wood burner: No
Open fire: No
Garden/Grounds: Yes
Camping facilities: No
Meals available: Yes
BBQ area: Yes but guests will need to bring their own disposable BBQ.
Sleeping platforms: 13
Bed linen provided: Yes
Need to know
Our camping barn is available all year round on Exclusive Hire only. For enquiries or to make a booking please visit exclusive-hire.yha.org.uk
Hire the whole place
This hostel is occasionally made available for hire on an exclusive basis. This means that you can have the place to yourself and choose how many of your friends, family, club mates, etc., join you. We allocate availability for exclusive use in blocks, typically up to 90 days in the future. If you are looking for space to stay with us on a normal shared basis, and can’t see any availability three months or more into the future, then this hostel may be being held for Exclusive Hire. You can check availability for Exclusive Hire on our dedicated website.
Things to do around YHA Ennerdale
Wordsworth House
Step back in time. The house and garden have been taken back to the 1770s, right down to the last knife and fork.
Cycling in Ennerdale
Get out and about on your bike and enjoy the landscape. Whether it’s hill or valley you want to explore, you can ride as far as your legs will allow you.
Whitehaven
Lovely, heritage Georgian town - the starting point on the C2C route. Don't miss the Beacon visitors centre and The Rum Story.
Wild Ennerdale Valley project
Visit this secluded valley to experience a sense of wildness, increasingly rare in this busy urban world we live in. Visit the website
Mountain biking in Ennerdale
Situated alongside moderately graded forest roads, the hostel also has easy access to the lanes and B roads of West Cumbria.
St Bees Head
Blow away the cobwebs with a bracing walk along the cliff top path, and look across to the Isle of Man on a clear day. Visit the RSPB website (grid reference is St Bees Head car park, and not as
Facilities
General
- Ambulant accessible
- Cot available
- Cycle store
- Garden / grounds
Essentials
- Drying room
- Lounge
Entertainment
- Board games
Accommodation options
- Private rooms available
- En suite rooms available
- Camping and Cabins
Food & drink
- Group catering available
- Licensed bar
- Meals available
- Self-catering kitchen (currently closed)
Transportation & parking
- Parking
Other YHA products
- Trade bookings
- YHA Exclusive Hire
Need to know
Reception: 08.00 - 10.00 17.00 - 22.00
Check in: 17.00 - 21.00
Check out: Before 10.00
Open every day?: YHA Ennerdale is open every day from mid March until the end of October. From November to March, the hostel is available for group bookings and YHA Exclusive Hire.
Towels and toiletries: Towels and toiletries are not supplied but are available to hire or purchase from reception. Bedding is supplied.
Parking: Access to YHA Ennerdale includes a final three mile section along a gravel forest road which can have potholes. Please keep to the forest speed limit of 15mph and take care when driving over or around potholes. Vehicles are restricted beyond Bowness Knott car park and vehicle access is for authorised users only, including YHA staff and visiting customers. The hostel has a small car park with space for three cars. Parking is not permitted on the forest road outside the hostel. To protect the tranquility of Ennerdale, please try to share vehicles where possible or consider parking at Bowness Knott car park and walking the rest of the way. If the car park is full, please drop off your passengers and return to Bowness Knott car park before leaving your car there and proceeding the rest of the way on foot.
Pets: Pets are not permitted at YHA Ennerdale. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served from 7.30 til 9am
YHA Ennerdale - Access Statement
(PDF download - 137.18 KB)
YHA Exclusive Hire
Want to have the whole property to yourself? YHA Ennerdale is available as an Exclusive Hire property from the autumn half term to the Easter holidays. Please visit our YHA Exclusive Hire website for more details.
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.
Meet the team
Manager recommends: Discover a rural retreat in the Wild Ennerdale Valley where Galloway cattle roam freely and the river has been allowed to find its own course. Don’t miss the panoramic view from the dining room over to Pillar rock and the Ennerdale forest. It's the perfect location for activity breaks in the Lake District - from walking and hiking holidays to cycling holidays.
