14 Hostels in Lake District, England

About Lake District

Located in the North West of England, the Lake District is one of the most breath-taking places in the UK, known for its incredible natural beauty. It’s home to England’s largest national park, full of lush, green landscapes, crystal clear lakes, rugged forest and towering mountain peaks. The area has several famous literary associations; everyone from William Wordsworth to Beatrix Potter was inspired by these incredible views!

Our Lake District Hostels are every bit as English as you might expect – like one in a traditional Georgian townhouse or a grade II listed mansion. Most boast incredible locations overlooking the lakes and surrounded by foliage. Almost all hostels in the Lake District have free Wi-Fi, and you should look out for those that also offer free breakfast or self-catering kitchens for bonus savings. Some hostels have camping facilities, so you can get even closer to the great outdoors. There are even some with restaurants and bars on site serving locally brewed ale.

Within the Lake District region there are several towns and villages to consider when choosing where to stay. The market town of Kendal has unique boutique shops and an exciting roster of festivals and events, including the famous Kendal Calling which gathers big name acts every year. Ambleside, a small town in the heart of the district, is the perfect location to base yourself for various outdoors activities. Hawkshead claims to be the prettiest village in the Lake District, and after exploring its cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses, you might agree!

The best way to experience the Lake District is by getting active, and there are all sorts of outdoor activities to do here. You’d better pack your hiking boots, because the Lake District National Park offers some of the most picturesque walking routes in the country. The same can be said for cycling – look out for a Lake District hostel with bicycle rental. If you feel like taking to the water, the lakes of Windermere, Coniston, Ullswater and Derwent Water all have water sports centres, as well as rowing boat rental.

Getting around the Lake District is easy – train lines connect the larger towns such as Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle, and the West Coast Mainline runs to major cities such as London, Manchester and Glasgow. The smaller towns and villages are connected by bus links, with extra services running during the summer. The closest airport to the Lake District is Manchester, with direct trains running to Oxenholme station taking 1.5 hours.