It is not often that hostellers can stay in a genuine World Heritage site, but New Lanark YHA is an obvious exception. This YHA hostel is a 200 year old millworker's tenement house in the New Lanark conservation area -- originally established by Robert Owen in 1816. Robert Owen was one of the first utopian socialists and at New Lanark he put his ideas into action by providing his millworkers with better working conditions and housing.
The location of the hostel is superb. Most dorm rooms have great views of the river and the "attractions" of the world heritage site are literally steps away. The New Millennium Experience, Robert Owen's School, Village Store, Millworkers House and Robert Owen's House can all be visited in a half a day on the New Lanark Passport (£5.95). And nearby the Falls of Clyde (free) are worth the walk to see through the valley.
It is a decent hostel with basic facilities and it can get overrun with school groups, but the location makes up for some of its poorer points. There are four bunks in each room and rooms are kept quite tidy.
Getting to New Lanark is easy. There are regular trains from Glasgow to Lanark station (or from Edinburgh via Motherwell), and an irregular bus service (50p) conveys passengers down the valley to New Lanark. The walk back up the hill can be tiring and the opportunities for shopping at New Lanark are limited so it is best to use the supermarket next to the railway station before going to the hostel.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
January 2005
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