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
The hostel
YHA St Briavels Castle has 60 beds across 9 bedrooms: 1 x 2, 1 x 4, 3 x 6, 3 x 8 and 1 x 12. Temporary beds available to increase capacity to 66. Two smallest rooms contain a double bed bunk to increase capacity to 1 x 3 and 1 x 5.
Rooms available include:
- King John & Queen Isabella – our two smallest rooms both modern in appearance, containing sinks and double bed bunks.
- The Prison complete with 16th & 17th century graffiti
- The State Apartment, with the “King’s Seat” at the head of King Johns great banqueting hall
- The Oubliette- discover its dark hidden secret below!
- The bedrooms in the top of the two accommodation towers are the male and female dormitories (1 x 12 and 1 x 8). Please be advised that there are steep stairs to climb and the washrooms are up to two floors below. Both rooms are also available to book for private hire by calling direct.
The social spaces of the Castle were reconfigured in 2015 to create an amazing banqueting hall fit for a king!
The Chapel is the main lounge. There is no TV but the modern world has breached the Castle walls and there is WiFi available in this area. There is also a toy chest and books, as well as board games to borrow from Reception.
The Old Kitchen is a quiet lounge; with wood panels, a period fireplace and fantastic historical features (including the original staircase and dog spit wheel).
The Banqueting Hall is a spacious dining room, with a grand fireplace and period features that create an amazing backdrop to the regular feasts held within its walls. With tapestries on the wall, the flicker of candles and a sumptuous feast on the table the hosted banquet is a social experience not to be missed.
The Old Stables is a versatile social space; with service of breakfast and supper club for families, a classroom/meeting room for groups, daytime café, banquet craft zone, and relaxing social space in the evenings.
The grounds are an archaeologically preserved site and operate as an English Heritage visitor attraction during the afternoon. Regrettably this means no camping is permitted at St Briavels Castle. There is a peaceful walled garden and courtyard area, with archery range. This is also the stage for the “Shakespeare At The Castle” in July and “Heritage Open Days” in September.
The acoustics in the grounds are fantastic for live music events and plays, and are open as a community resource for local schools and youth groups.
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 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
Grab your boots and come and join Chepstow Walking Festival that celebrates the beautiful landscape and rich heritage on both sides of the Welsh and English border.
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
Facilities
General
- Classroom
- Cot available
- Cycle store
- Free wi-fi
- Garden / grounds
Essentials
- Drying room
- Lounge
Entertainment
- Board games
- Library/Quiet room
Accommodation options
- Private rooms available
Food & drink
- Group catering available
- Licensed bar
- Meals available
- Self-catering kitchen
Transportation & parking
- Parking
Other YHA products
- Meeting Rooms & Corporate Hire
- Trade bookings
- YHA School Trips
Need to know
Check in: 17.00 - 22.00
Check out: Before 10.00
Towels and toiletries: Towels and toiletries are not provided but are available to hire or purchase from reception. Bedding is supplied.
Parking: There is parking available for guests outside the hostel.
Open every day?: YHA St Briavels Castle is open all year round for group bookings. Beds and rooms for families and independent travellers are released three months in advance so please check the website for availability.
Wi-Fi: Free wi-fi is available in social spaces.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served from 7.30am until 9am.
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 Exclusive Hire
YHA St Briavels Castle is available to exclusively hire for a whole family get together in an striking, 800 year old venue. Visit the YHA Exclusive Hire website to find out more and to book.
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.
