Climbing in Wasdale
Follow in the footsteps of the Abraham brothers and climb to the top of Napes Needle - a classic hard/severe climb with stunning mountainside views straight down to Wasdale.
YHA Wasdale Hall
Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1ETOverview
This 19th century country manor is every bit as grand as its name would suggest. This Cumbrian hostel is often cited as a favourite due to the impressive nature of the building, not to mention its breath-taking scenery which has earned the title of “Britain’s Favourite View”.
Set right on the shore of Wastwater, England’s deepest lake, from the hostel you can see the expanse of the lake plus the awe-inspiring mountains beyond - perfect for getting away from the pressures of everyday life and relaxing in beautiful surroundings.
Why guests love YHA Wasdale Hall
Accommodation at YHA Wasdale Hall
The hostel
YHA Wasdale Hall includes a selection of dorm beds and private rooms. This large Lake District hostel is cosy and full of character - perfect for adventure holidays.
Our cosy lounge centres around a log fireplace, which is great for keeping warm in the winter months. Our comfortable Chesterfield sofas are in keeping with the heritage of the building itself and we have a wide range of books available in the library end of the room. There is also a dining room on the ground floor with tables and chairs.
Due to our remote location and the local infrastructure, we do not have a TV signal and mobile phone reception is very patchy. We do have a payphone for guest use. This is a real get away from it all location, so turn off your electronics and relax!
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, or use our live chat service for more information.
Food and drink at YHA Wasdale Hall
Things to do around YHA Wasdale Hall
Walking and Rambling in Wasdale
Spectacular classic walks for all abilities on the doorstep. There's options suitable for everyone from wheelchair users right up to technical navigational high mountain walks.
Watersports in Wasdale
The hostel grounds run down to the lakeshore. Paddling, canoeing and kayaking are available on the lake, a stones throw from the hostel door, just remember to bring your own equipment.
Muncaster Castle
Historic haunted castle, with 70 acres of stunning Gardens, set against the back drop of the fells. Home to the Hawk and Owl Centre, where from Easter through to min-Oct there are daily flying d
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
Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway
Travel for seven miles from a delightful coastal village, through two glorious valleys to the foot of England’s highest mountains. Visit the Railway website
Facilities
General
- Classroom
- Cot available
- Cycle store
- Free wi-fi
Essentials
- Drying room
- Lounge
Entertainment
- Board games
- Games room
Accommodation options
- Private rooms available
Food & drink
- Dining room
- Group catering available
- Meals available
- Self-catering kitchen
Transportation & parking
- Parking
Other YHA products
- Trade bookings
- YHA Exclusive Hire
- YHA School Trips
Need to know
Reception times: 08.00 - 10.00 17.00 - 22.30
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: Off-road parking is available.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served from 7.30am til 9am.
YHA Wasdale Hall - Access Statement
(PDF download - 55.27 KB)
YHA Exclusive Hire
To enjoy YHA Wasdale Hall for just you, your friends and family visit our YHA Exclusive Hire website and hire the whole property.
YHA School Trips
YHA Wasdale Hall is the perfect place for an activity break with a school group. Water sports, climbing and abseiling are all on your doorstop. The hostel also provides geography and biology educational packages. There are beds for up to 50 people, delicious meals and classroom facilities.
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
YHA Wasdale Hall was built in 1829, the owner was a Yorkshire Banker and Merchant called Stansfield Rawson whose family had connections with the East India Trading Company. How Rawson first came to Nether Wasdale is not known, but rich (and not so rich) off comers had been building houses for themselves in the Lake District since the 1770s! Rawson, unusually chose to build in a late-Medieval/Tudor style. Rawson’s son, was able to lay what his father called the foundation stone in the North East corner of the laundry (or servants hall gable). The stone is still there, not a foundation stone in the accepted sense, but a block set into the wall of one of the attic rooms! The new wing that he built, the present South wing of Wasdale Hall, was larger then the earlier one, housing not only a library with a morning room above, but also a dining room, with a bedroom and dressing room above, and at the rear of the building an ale cellar.
After Rawson died, his son inherited the property, and after his death it then passed through various owners as a home for the summer - much of its original grounds were separated and sold off. This 200 year old country pile was originally used as a lakeside holiday home before becoming a National Trust property. Built in the 19th century, the Youth Hostel retains many of its original features including panelled windows, gabled roof and cornicing. The Hall became a Youth Hostel in 1969 and in recent years has been restored and decorated to give something of the appearance and atmosphere which it might have originally had. The hostel's name was changed from YHA Wastwater to YHA Wasdale Hall in 2015 as it was felt that this was more reflective of the nearest area, Wasdale.
Meet the team
Steve is the manager at Wasdale and when not working can often be found walking and climbing on the local fells, canoeing on Wastwater or eagerly awaiting snow to crack out the skis and ice axes.
Manager recommends:
Summer evening strolls around Wasdale are simply amazing. The screes turn pink in the setting sun and looking up the lake gives a view that was not only voted Britain’s favourite in 2007 but was also the inspiration for the Lake District National Park’s logo. For those with young children, I would heartily recommend exploring Low Wood and the banks of Wastwater. However, if you want to get up high Whin Rigg and Illgill Head on top of the screes offer stunning views without the crowds you will find on the honey pots of Scafell and Scafell Pike.
