
Windermere Lake Cruises
The spectacular voyage gives you views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and the delightful wooded islands.
Overlooking England’s largest natural lake, YHA Windermere offers the chance to stay in an idyllic countryside setting only two miles from Windermere. The hostel is an ideal base for anyone wanting to escape the crowds, and perfect for activity breaks and family holidays, while children will love the large wooded grounds.
Relax with a drink on the terrace and enjoy good quality food from our restaurant and bar. We're now home to some colourful new tipis too, so you can wake up enjoying panoramic views of the lake and mountains.
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.
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.
Get all the fun of camping but without any of the set-up stresses with these beautiful bell tents - part of the YHA Glamping experience. These spacious tipi-like tents are fully kitted out with a double futon bed and three single futons plus all bedding and can sleep five people. They also have eco-friendly solar lighting and comfy bean bags for you to chill out on during the day plus bedside tables, a coffee table, rugs, and soft flooring. Premium bell tents also have the addition of a woodburner to keep you cosy. All bell tents include a BBQ fire pit.
There are four premium bell tents at YHA Windermere, available to book for stays between May and September.
Guests have year-round access to 2 shower shacks and 2 toilet shacks, where you can freshen up after a sleeping under the stars.
Come and sleep under the stars and wake up to the best view in the Lake District. Our campsite is situated on an adjacent field with breath-taking views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells. Alternatively, we have limited space at the edge of our gorgeous wooded grounds for those looking for a more secluded experience. Camping is available throughout the year.
Facilities
All facilities in the Youth Hostel are open to all campers with 24 hour access via a door code. We also have toilet and shower facilities for campers.
Guests have year-round access to 2 shower shacks and 2 toilet shacks, where you can freshen up after a sleeping under the stars.
Parking
There is plenty of parking available - please use the main car park or lower car park.
Like camping but with a few added extras? These Landpods are the perfect alternative for sleeping under the stars. The Landpods sleep up to four people, on two double mattresses and a single futon mattress, which doubles up as the seating area. With LED lighting, these pods include all beds and 15 tog duvets. The Landpods do not have heating, so are more suited to the those who like a traditional camping experience, even in the colder months- it’s nothing a couple of warm, cosy blankets can’t fix! There is a bench and BBQ firepit outside so, make the most of the great outdoors and dine al fresco.
All guests have full access to all of the hostel facilities, including the self-catering kitchen and bathrooms, so you can cook delicious meals, or freshen up after your night sleeping under the stars.
Get all the fun of camping but without any of the set up stresses with these beautiful tipis - part of the YHA glamping experience. These spacious tipis are fully kitted out with bedding and can sleep four people on mattresses. They have a wooden floor which is partly carpeted and a lockable coffee table chest which you can store you belongings. There's also eco-friendly solar lighting and two comfy waterproof bean bags for you to chill out on during the day, as well as a woodburner to keep you snug. This cosy glamping option is perfect for those who love camping but not roughing it.
There are four tipis available at YHA Windermere and they are available to book throughout the year for stays between April and the end of October. Tipi guests have use of an external toilet and shower block and self-catering kitchens.
Guests have year-round access to 2 shower shacks and 2 toilet shacks, where you can freshen up after a sleeping under the stars.
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.
Reception opening hours: From 07:30 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 22:00.
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests daily from 07:30 – 09:00. Meals are also available from 17:00 – 20:00.
Self-catering: Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Parking: There is parking at the hostel.
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
Dogs: Dogs can stay on our campsite and in our Landpods and tipis. There is a £5 charge per dog per night for our Landpod and tipi accommodation which is payable upon arrival. You can bring your dog for free if you are camping in your own tent. Pets are not permitted in the hostel accommodation at YHA Windermere. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout.
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YHA Windermere offers educational geography packages in association with the Field Studies Council. There are also a range of action and adventure activities to be enjoyed in the surrounding area to provide an activity break to your educational visit. The hostel provides group catering and has classroom facilities. Book your YHA School Trip.
We are very grateful for all of the help and support that our generous volunteers give to YHA. We are proud of our “Investors in Volunteering” accreditation and have a wide range of opportunities available across the country, all of which will provide great learning or social experiences and help us to create even more opportunities for young people.
Volunteering is a great way to meet people, visit new places, gain experiences and have fun. Full details of all of our various volunteering programmes can be found on the volunteering website.
At YHA Windermere, we offer the following volunteering opportunities subject to availability:
Please contact [email protected] or call 01629 592562 for more information.
The existing building at High Cross has been a hostel for over 75 years. Thought to be one of the first buildings in the country to be made of concrete, it was built in the late 1920s and opened as a hostel in 1935.
Originally intended as a private guesthouse for clergy, the present building replaced an earlier wooden building on the same site that was dramatically destroyed by fire in 1915. The owner, vowing that this would never happen again, designed his second house as a more sturdy construction of solid concrete. Known until recently as High Cross Castle, the building derives its name from a stone cross in the grounds.
Andy Partridge is the manager at YHA Windermere: "I have been working for YHA for about 10 years, worked at various sites and managed four hostels. I love what I do and I believe this shows in the way our hostel is run. YHA Windermere is a beautiful hostel, it is a tranquil, conformable and relaxing place to be. I love running, walking and exploring the amazing National Park."
Manager recommends: Windermere is the gateway to one of the most iconic valleys in the Lake District: Langdale. Both Great Langdale and Little Langdale offer amazing walks, climbing, mountain biking, picnic spots and great pubs. A full day linking the two valleys is highly recommended, taking in Blea Tarn and finishing in Elterwater.