YHA hostel makeover on BBC One

Starring role for YHA Windermere on Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr

Group of people sitting on benches with countryside views behind them

Stunning Lake District accommodation – as seen on TV!

Our hostel, YHA Windermere, features on the opening episode of the new season of Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr.

The popular BBC One series puts aspiring interior designers to the test, transforming rooms and spaces with their own unique styles. Each of the 10 designers were tasked with transforming a bedroom to create a space that captures everyone's imagination while celebrating YHA's connection to the great outdoors. The designers drew inspiration from the stunning landscape that surrounds our 1920s hostel in the National Park.

YHA Windermere was selected for its picturesque setting and as it had 10 bedrooms of equal proportions – perfect for the challenge! On the TV episode (available on BBC iPlayer), you'll see what a great effort the designers went to.

YHA Windermere bedroom designed by Interior Design Masters

Room with lake mural

YHA Windermere bedroom designed by Interior Design Masters

Room with four beds

YHA Windermere three bed room with double bed

Room with three beds

YHA Windermere bedroom designed by Interior Design Masters

Room with four beds

YHA Windermere bedroom with view out of the window

Room with four beds

YHA Windermere interior design masters bedroom

Room with three beds

YHA Windermere exterior

View of the hostel

What do the bedrooms look like now?

Nine of the rooms have retained elements of the contestants' designs, though we've made some tweaks to suit the needs of our guests. The wooden bunk beds that appear in the show were replaced with modern metal bunk beds that feature lighting and charging points (as pictured).

We're unable to reserve these specific rooms as bookings are based on the number of beds rather than the room number. However, we can guarantee stunning views wherever you stay at YHA Windermere.

Book a stay at YHA Windermere

YHA Windermere exterior

Wake up next to the largest lake in England with a stay at YHA Windermere.

This unique historic building is set in four acres of grounds with stunning panoramic views over Windermere to Claife Heights, Coniston Fells and the Langdale Pikes.

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.

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Explore the Lake District

Home to England's largest mountain, its deepest lake and now a World Heritage Site, the Lake District is the perfect holiday destination for families and activity seekers looking to explore. We have a range of hostels to suit the needs of all travellers.

YHA Ennerdale exterior

YHA Ennerdale

  • Free parking on premises

  • Garden/grounds

  • Self-catering kitchen

YHA Hawkshead exterior

YHA Hawkshead

  • Large garden/grounds

  • Free parking on premises

  • Self-catering kitchen

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Annual (Direct Debit) YHA Membership

Paying by Direct Debit is the most convenient and cost-effective option, making sure you don’t miss out on all the benefits with automatic renewal each year.

£20 per year

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What's included

  • Welcome pack and membership card
  • Enjoy 10% off every booking including pre-booked meals
  • Get at least 25% off hot deals and other special discounts for members
  • Be the first to know about upcoming special offers with priority notification for members
  • Savings on top outdoor brands every time you shop
  • Discounted stays at over 2,500 hostels worldwide with automatic Hostelling International membership
  • Support our charity working to ensure everybody has the opportunity to connect to nature, heritage and the great outdoors
  • Exclusive monthly member e-newsletter
  • Automatically renews each year

Single Year YHA Membership

A single-year YHA membership lets you enjoy all the fantastic benefits for up to 12 months at a time. Your gateway to adventure in the UK and across the world!

£25 per year

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What's included

  • Welcome pack and membership card
  • Enjoy 10% off every booking including pre-booked meals
  • Get at least 25% off hot deals and other special discounts for members
  • Be the first to know about upcoming special offers with priority notification for members
  • Savings on top outdoor brands every time you shop
  • Discounted stays at over 2,500 hostels worldwide with automatic Hostelling International membership
  • Support our charity working to ensure everybody has the opportunity to connect to nature, heritage and the great outdoors
  • Exclusive monthly member e-newsletter
  • Lasts for one year

Life YHA Membership

Life membership truly lasts a lifetime – enjoy all the benefits of YHA membership with a single one-off fee while supporting our charitable mission.

£500

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What's included

  • Exclusive life member welcome pack, membership card and pin badge
  • Lifetime discount – enjoy 10% off every booking including pre-booked meals
  • Get at least 25% off hot deals and other special discounts for members
  • Be the first to know about upcoming special offers with priority notification for members
  • Savings on top outdoor brands every time you shop
  • Discounted stays at over 2,500 hostels worldwide with automatic Hostelling International membership
  • Support our charity working to ensure everybody has the opportunity to connect to nature, heritage and the great outdoors
  • Exclusive monthly member e-newsletter
  • Lasts a lifetime

No child left behind

Children walking through countryside on a sunny day

Support our appeal to give more children access to amazing adventures.

The number of children experiencing poverty is rising. And with the squeeze on school budgets and household purses, more school residential trips are being cancelled. Whole classes miss out.

Missing out on long-awaited trips is detrimental to all children. But for children from low-income families, it could mean missing out on their only night away from home. Please give what you can to help.

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Why guests love YHA

Amazing locations

With countryside, city and coastal properties across England and Wales, you can't beat our locations.

Accommodation options

From dorms and private rooms to camping, glamping and Exclusive Hire, there are lots of ways to stay with us.

Supporting a charity

Every booking, membership and donation helps us create more adventures for young people.