The Hostelz.com Review
Lake District Backpackers Lodge is a good base to visit the Windermere/Ambleside area of the Lake District. Although the hostel's atmosphere can vary, the beds are comfortable so you can be sure to get a good night's sleep after all your outdoor activities.
The Location
The Lake District Backpackers Lodge is very well located for a visit to the Lake District. A few minutes away from the Windermere train station and the Tourism Information centre, the hostel is within walking distance of the towns of Windermere and Bowmere, a large grocery store, and a bank. It is also close to many walking and scenic trails, and a bus or boat ride away from nearby towns like Ambleside. The adorable neighborhood is peaceful, quiet, and feels quite safe even for solo female travelers. Be sure to look at the little map on the hostel's website before arriving, because it can be tricky to find your way there the first time.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel offers a variety of rooms, including six-bed female dorms, four-bed mixed dorms, and a few private rooms. The beds are comfortable, the linens are included, and some rooms also have a sink. The bathrooms are small but clean. There are no lockers in the rooms, but some are available in the common room.
Common Spaces
A kitchen and adjacent TV room are on the second floor, allowing guests to hang out and meet one another. The kitchen is reasonably well-equipped and offers a small self-serve breakfast. Travelers can browse a number of leaflets and walking trails in the large TV room, play board games, watch television, or use the expensive internet station. The hostel's atmosphere largely depends on the number and type of guests in it at one time -- it can go from being quiet and empty to fun and packed with people.
Summary
This hostel is well-located and has great potential. However, the owners do not seem very involved in it. Especially in low seasons, be prepared to check yourself in and not see a soul during your entire stay. Be sure to reserve ahead of time to get the code to the front door, as it is probable that no staff will be on-site to welcome you. Luckily, the Tourist Information centre is located a few minutes away and the friendly staff there can answer all your questions.
The Location
The Lake District Backpackers Lodge is very well located for a visit to the Lake District. A few minutes away from the Windermere train station and the Tourism Information centre, the hostel is within walking distance of the towns of Windermere and Bowmere, a large grocery store, and a bank. It is also close to many walking and scenic trails, and a bus or boat ride away from nearby towns like Ambleside. The adorable neighborhood is peaceful, quiet, and feels quite safe even for solo female travelers. Be sure to look at the little map on the hostel's website before arriving, because it can be tricky to find your way there the first time.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The hostel offers a variety of rooms, including six-bed female dorms, four-bed mixed dorms, and a few private rooms. The beds are comfortable, the linens are included, and some rooms also have a sink. The bathrooms are small but clean. There are no lockers in the rooms, but some are available in the common room.
Common Spaces
A kitchen and adjacent TV room are on the second floor, allowing guests to hang out and meet one another. The kitchen is reasonably well-equipped and offers a small self-serve breakfast. Travelers can browse a number of leaflets and walking trails in the large TV room, play board games, watch television, or use the expensive internet station. The hostel's atmosphere largely depends on the number and type of guests in it at one time -- it can go from being quiet and empty to fun and packed with people.
Summary
This hostel is well-located and has great potential. However, the owners do not seem very involved in it. Especially in low seasons, be prepared to check yourself in and not see a soul during your entire stay. Be sure to reserve ahead of time to get the code to the front door, as it is probable that no staff will be on-site to welcome you. Luckily, the Tourist Information centre is located a few minutes away and the friendly staff there can answer all your questions.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
February 2009
Their Description
Lake District Backpackers Lodge Details
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Lake District Backpackers Lodge Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Be careful Stay here at your own risk as there is no lock for dorms from inside. if anyone knows (everybody who stayed here knows) main door code, he/she can flee with your luggage any time. There is nobody at the so called reception twenty-four/seven. Owner just comes to collect the money from safe in the morning. It is like staying in haunted house. only one shower/wc on floor. Breakfast is just bread/butter/jam. location is ok. — meska (2009-04-03) I booked two nights weeks in advance and there was no bed for me when I got there (even though I had received confirmation) and no staff available to help me even by phone. I had to walk to a nearby hotel. — Emily (2006-04-18) This hostel was like a breath of fresh air--so friendly and safe feeling, it was like being a guest in someone's house! I highly recommend it if you will be staying in Windermere; it is a very relaxed environment and perfect to chill out in after hiking. I felt completely comfortable leaving my phone charging in the common room and belongings around; people were very friendly and the hostel is small. I met some great people in the common area--which is small, but I would say more like a living room than a doctor's waiting room!! Breakfast is generous--only in a hostel this size could you leave breakfast food around all day. We had cornflakes for dinner too--good for the budgeter. Thanks! — Anonymous (2006-02-06) it's kind of a "self-service" hostel. there was no staff there, we had to look for our beds.
2nd night our stuff was moved out (we booked and paid for two nights) and when we finally got a new room we were moved out again after we came back from a drink at night :-( wasn't that funny. overcrowded without the staff knowing it.
but helpful with finding us a hotel-bed just round the corner. — mirj (2006-02-04) When I first came to Windermere, I could hardly have guessed that I would find both the hostel AND the woman of my dreams. Not only does the Windermere have a comfortable common room adjoining a functional kitchen, but also it was in that kitchen where I met a girl who knocked my socks off. Hope to come back again after the war. — Micahel Stormalong (2005-04-20) Pathetic excuse for a hostel. Twenty-one beds, one working shower (it would only have been two if the other was working), no FIRE escape, tiny kitchen, social area like a doctor's waiting room, and comfy beds but way overcrowded rooms. It was clean and close to the train station. — Anonymous (2005-04-08) Paul was very helpful in helping us find work, and I made some fantastic friends. It's in a beautiful area, and the hostel is handy to the train station, buses, and trails! — Sarah Denman (2005-01-03) Cleanliness: ok.
Kitchen: ok. They had a delicious breakfast of tasty toast and cereals.
Good location, yeah! — Fernando González (2004-09-05) I liked this hostel. Its close to the main train and bus stations. The rooms were clean and the staff was friendly. Plus, I met some really cool people. — Anonymous (2003-12-01)