Go Ape
Go Ape has several locations across the UK where you can climb and fly through the trees. If it's adrenaline fuelled family fun you're after then look no further.
YHA St Briavels Castle
Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 6RGOverview
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.
YHA St Briavels Castle is a venue with real wow factor that will amaze and inspire visitors of all ages. The castle is over 800 years old, with bags of character and remarkably well-preserved features throughout, and a magical charm that promotes social interaction and historical interest in equal measure.
The castle is a Grade I listed ancient monument, a rich piece of history and an inspiring location. Be transported back in time to Medieval world of King John and the Magna Carta within this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Why guests love YHA St Briavels Castle
Accommodation at YHA St Briavels Castle
Bed in a shared room
Dorms are not currently available.
Dorm rooms have multiple beds, are typically more affordable than private rooms, and shared with other people who may not be travelling together. A typical shared room includes bunk beds, a reading light and a storage cupboard for each guest, secured by a padlock if required.
Children aged between 12 and 15 can stay in dorm rooms as long as an adult of the same gender accompanies them.
Some dorms may be en-suites, meaning that they have a bathroom in the room that you would be sharing with the other people in your dorm.
Private rooms
Don't fancy sharing a room? Private rooms typically include a storage cupboard for each bed, secured by a padlock if required, a reading light and a wash hand basin. Shared shower and toilet facilities are located near to the room.
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.
Things to do around YHA St Briavels Castle
Walking and Rambling around St Briavels Castle
The hostel is right in the middle Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley so there's lots of fantastic walks from the doorstep.
Cycling in the Forest of Dean
Hop on your bike and explore the Forest of Dean. Try the Royal Forest Route which takes in a sculpture trail, mines dating back to the 1820's and a virtual lagoon of bluebells in spring!
Clearwell Caves
Visit the atmospheric mine workings with nine impressive caverns and winding passageways - great whatever the weather.
Puzzlewood
Explore this unique and enchanting place, with meandering pathways and fantastic rock formations that inspired JRR Tolkien.
Inspire2Adventure
Exciting adventure in the forest - try Inspire2Adventure's Guided Open Canoe Expeditions, Gorge Scrambling Experience, Rock climbing and Abseiling and more!
Taurus Crafts
So much to see! local craft workshops, events and shops to inspire your creativity. Throw your own pot or visit the garden retreat.
Tintern Abbey
One of the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. Don't miss the Nave's west window which is currently being restored. Visit the website
Goodrich Castle
Standing in open countryside above the River Wye, Goodrich Castle is one of the finest and best preserved of all English medieval castles.
Chepstow Walking Festival
Join Chepstow walking festival for 5 days of walking fun!
Perrygrove Railway
See the Forest of Dean in style with a train ride through the woods. Look out for the family-friendly Treetop Adventure play area on your journey. Visit the website
Hostel facilities
- Baby changing
- Breakfast
- Classroom(s)
- Coach parking on premises
- Contactless payments
- Cycle store
- Dining room
- Evening meals
- Free on-street parking
- Free parking on premises
- Games
- Garden/grounds
- Group meals
- Highchair
- Library
- Licensed bar
- Medium garden/grounds
- Meeting rooms
- Minibus parking on premises
- No mobile coverage
- Outdoor seating
- Packed lunch
- Self-catering kitchen
- Shared drying room
- Shared lounge
- Sole use
- WiFi
Hostel need to know
Seasonal opening pattern: YHA St Briavels Castle is open for bookings all year round.
Hostel opening hours: YHA St Briavels Castle is open to the public from Monday - Sunday, 13:00 - 16:00.
Reception hours: From 08:00 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 22:00.
Parking: There is parking at the hostel.
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served from 07:30 - 09:00.
Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA St Briavels Castle. Assistance dogs are welcome.
YHA St Briavels Castle - Access Statement
(PDF download - 60.47 KB)
YHA School Trips
YHA St Briavels Castle is a great base for school/college/university groups. The hostel has beds for up to 66, classroom facilities, full meal service, and bolt on activities. It also has a number of educational packages available; including Alex Rider, History and Discovery. We are “Learn Outside the Classroom” (LOTC) accredited.
Visit the YHA School Trips website for more information.
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
The Castle dates back to the 12th Century, and many a tale from this world and the next can be found across the Internet. As an introduction why not take a Virtual Tour, but there really is no substitute for the real thing, and joining one of our regular Castle Tours where you can become a history detective and help uncover the secrets of the past.
As King John’s former hunting lodge we are uniquely placed to offer this within a living reminder of the King and one of the most important pieces of history to shape our society today. You enter this remarkable and unique YHA site through a triple portcullis gatehouse into a secluded courtyard and walled garden, and then enter through the grand wooden period door into the West Tower to a warm welcome fit for a King or Queen. Take a walk through time within this former hunting lodge of King John from the 13th century, spend a peaceful moment in his Chapel, rest your feet in his bed-chamber, and wonder who spent time in the debtors prison and met their grizzly end on the Castle gallow.
All bedrooms are full of character with amazingly well-preserved Castle features, original stone walls & features from the Medieval to Victorian period (when the Castle was extensively renovated as a family home). However, they are basic (bunk beds/storage only). The only exceptions are King John and Queen Isabella which have sinks and a double bed bunk.
There are no en-suites and some rooms are quite a walk from washroom facilities and up steep, narrow staircases – the Grade 1 listed nature of this site does not permit modernisation to facilitate demands for smaller rooms/en-suites. The compromise in facilities however is more than made up for with the opportunity to step back in time and imagine yourself a travelling lord or lady staying as the guest of a Medieval Sheriff, joining his household for a feast and rest on your journey of discovery through the Royal Forest of Dean. A smaller, quiet social area is set up in the Old Kitchen under the remains of the “Turn Spit Wheel” – a marvellous old feature that would have turned the Wild Boar on the spit over the kitchen fire, powered by a small dog.
Meet the team
Hostel Manager Linda
My name is Linda Harrison and I have the privilege of being the latest custodian of St Briavels Castle, just one character to reside within the lifetime of the Castle but hopefully adding in a small way to the rich legacy of this remarkably well-preserved and awe-inspiring site. It truly is a pleasure to come to work every day, to step within the Castle walls and share its secrets and fascinating story. My background is history and archaeology so the Castle and I are a match made in Heaven, and I enjoy to continue to discover and share its hidden past.
Working for the YHA for over 10 years, I have been privileged to spend time in fabulous locations (including the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Devon), sharing customer experiences and journeys, and developing new skills and interests along the way, including, since my arrival in the Forest of Dean, richly rewarding school activity packages & YHA Summer Camps.
There are plenty of family fun attractions and outdoor activities; wooded walks, cycle trails, canoe routes, world-famous rock climbing and views at Symonds Yat, watch the Severn Bore, and visit even more castles! You are in the middle of the Forest of Dean and close to the Brecon Beacons, or if you are looking for a city break for the day Gloucester, Bristol and Cardiff are all within easy reach.
