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 470m 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
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. None of our private rooms have en-suite facilities.
Pitch-up camping
Camping is sold per person and not per pitch. During the booking process, you will need to select the number of people who you wish to camp.
YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse has a small number of camping spaces in the field in front of the hostel. At an altitude of 470m in a remote and mountainous location, this is a taste of wild camping but with the benefit of having access to the hostel facilities.
Due to limited availability, advance booking is essential. To enquire about camping, please contact the hostel directly.
Hire the whole house
Planning an overdue get-together or celebrating a birthday/anniversary? Looking for a base for your group's next adventure? Make your special occasion extra special with YHA Exclusive Hire.
You can hire the whole of the Skiddaw House building and, with sole use of the property, come and go as you please. This unique property offers uninterrupted mountain views, without roads or other buildings in sight.
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
Hostel facilities
- Cycle store
- Dining room
- Games
- Garden/grounds
- Highchair
- Licensed bar
- Mountain view
- No mobile coverage
- No WiFi
- Self-catering kitchen
- Shared lounge
- Small garden/grounds
Hostel need to know
Reception open hours: From 17:00 - 22:00. If you arrive before check-in, you can access the common room via a keypad code - this will be emailed to you before arrival.
Self-catering: YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse is self-catering only. Guests have access to a kitchen.
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.
Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse. Assistance dogs are welcome – please notify us at the time of booking.
Card payments: Due to being off-grid we are unable 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
Manager recommends: ''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''
