HI - YHA Windermere Hostel

Windermere Hostel is situated a short distance from the tiny village of Troutbeck, high above Lake Windermere in the Lake District of Cumbria. It is 3 km from the village of Windermere and connected by a hostel shuttle bus which operates between the hostel, the picturesque town of Ambleside, and Windermere at a nominal fee for guests.

This hostel was once a much-loved stately home and is situated in magnificent grounds. Perched high above the lake, the hostel has the most amazing views of Lake Windermere and surroundings. The wide front terrace with its wooden benches and tables is a wonderful place from which to enjoy the view, take photographs, or have a sundowner. The dining room also has superb views of the lake.

The facilities are exceptional. The reception staff are very helpful and a mine of information on the region. The sitting rooms are cosy and homely. Meals are a delicious optional extra, with a choice of menus each day. They are served in the spacious dining room. The guest kitchen is extremely well equipped, clean, and well organised for preparing your own food.

There is TV in the dining room and internet facilities are available at a nominal fee. The hostel has a reasonable standard of cleanliness throughout. The bedrooms and bathrooms are exceptionally clean. The rooms have crisp, clean linen and comfortable beds.

Our only complaint is that certain rooms have rather thin walls, thus neighbouring guests can prove a problem if inconsiderate and noisy – more care should be taken to advise guests who do not bear the sleep of others in mind, to be quiet after 11 pm. We were unfortunate enough to have neighbours who partied loudly until 4 a.m. while we were trying to get some rest!

The hostel lies in the heart of the Lake District and makes the ideal base for car, boat, cycle, or hiking tours of the region. For a hostel in a superb setting with all the essential facilities – Windermere can't be beaten.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2004