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.)
YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse
Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QXOverview
Surrounded by mountains and accessible only on foot or by mountain bike, Britain’s highest hostel is perfect for fell-walkers, adventurous families and lovers of wild and remote places. Situated at 1550ft on the flanks of Skiddaw, and 3 miles from the nearest road, this traditional hostel on the Cumbria Way offers simple yet comfortable accommodation.
Stay here for a real escape from it all; with no mains electricity, phone signal, TV or internet to distract from the wilderness. Solar panels provide light and hot water, while wood-burning stoves provide the only heating in this Alpine-hut style bunkhouse.
Why guests love YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse
Accommodation at YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse
The hostel
YHA Skiddaw has 22 beds spread over four rooms. Private rooms and dorm beds are all available. Bedding is provided and towels can be hired. The bedrooms are not heated, however hot water bottles and extra blankets are available if required. The building has recently been insulated with sheep’s fleece; this combined with the wood-burning stoves creates a cosy atmosphere in spite of the hostel’s high-altitude location.
There are two showers, with reliable hot water. The traditional open plan common room, which features a nineteenth century range, combines a kitchen, dining room and drying room. There is also a comfortable lounge, with a coal fire, a dartboard and lots of books, games and musical instruments. The self-catering kitchen has a gas oven and hobs, and is well-equipped with crockery, pans and utensils. There is a secure shed for guests wishing to store bikes. As we have limited solar-generated electricity we recommend bringing a torch to use during the evening.
YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse is self-catering, but our small shop sells everything you need for breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals. We also stock a range of wines, whisky and local ales, so there’s no need to carry a heavy bag up the hill.
Camping
YHA Skiddaw House has a small number of camping spaces in the field in front of the hostel. At an altitude of 1550 feet in a remote and mountainous location, this is a taste of wild camping, but with the benefit of having access to the hostel facilities.
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.
Due to limited availability, advance booking is essential. To enquire about camping for more than five people please contact the hostel.
Hire the whole place
The hostel is available for group hire throughout the year. Perfect for walking and mountain biking groups, family get-togethers and New Year's Eve celebrations. For enquiries about group bookings at YHA Skiddaw House please contact us at [email protected]
Food and drink at YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse
Things to do around YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse
Hiking in the Northern Fells
Hiking in the Northern Fells. For circular walks over Lakeland giants Blencathra and Skiddaw, or ticking off the 24 Wainwrights in the area, YHA Skiddaw House is ideally situated. If y
Mountain Biking in the Northern Fells
YHA Skiddaw House is situated on the popular ‘Skiddaw Loop’ and there are great circular routes of varying distance and difficulty in the area. Find out more
Fell running in the Northern Fells
Fantastic running straight from the front door of YHA Skiddaw House on grassy, rounded fells. Choose from Skiddaw, Blencathra or one of the quieter fells around Knott. Recce the first
Walking and Rambling on Skiddaw
Whether ridge-scrambling, Wainwright-bagging, or walking to a pub/café is your thing, YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse is ideally located.
Mountain biking in Skiddaw
YHA Skiddaw sits at the centre of a network of popular routes of varying difficulty and we can easily accommodate bikes at the hostel.
Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum
Activities for all the family, from budding geologists to hopeful prospectors. Take an underground tour or try mineral panning. Visit the website
Facilities
General
- Cot available
- Cycle store
- Garden / grounds
Essentials
- Lounge
- Luggage store
Entertainment
- Board games
- Games room
- Library/Quiet room
Accommodation options
- Camping and Cabins
Food & drink
- Dining room
- Self-catering kitchen
Need to know
Reception times: 08.00 - 10.00 17.00 - 22.00
Check in: 17.00 - 21.00 - early arrivals can access the common room via a keypad. The keypad code will be emailed to you on booking.
Check out: 10.00
Open every day?: YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse is open for bookings from March until October - advance booking is essential. During the winter, the hostel is available for Exclusive Hire.
Towels and toiletries: Bedding is provided. Towels are available for hire at £2.
Parking: The hostel is 3 miles from the nearest road and only accessible on foot or by mountain bike. Free parking is available in Threkeld, Keswick, Mosedale and Bassenthwaite.
Card Payments: Due to being off-grid we can’t take card payments at the hostel, so please bring cash or cheques.
YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse - Access Statement
(PDF download - 65.24 KB)
History
Built as a shooting lodge in the early 19th century, Skiddaw House was also used as a shepherd’s and gamekeeper’s accommodation until the 1970s. It became a youth hostel in 1987.
Meet the team
Martin and Suzy have been the managers at YHA Skiddaw House since 2015. ''There are loads of great walking, running, and mountain-biking routes, leading straight from the front door. The circular walk over Skiddaw, taking in the summits of Lonscale Fell and Bakestall is a personal favourite''
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