Name: YHA Hawkshead - Hostel
Address: Hawkshead, Ambleside, Ambleside, Ambleside, LA22 0QD, United Kingdom
Rating: 8

Smoke-free property

Heating

Garden

Reception desk

General

Non-smoking rooms

Family room

Rooms

Breakfast

Common kitchen

Restaurant

Kitchen

Packed Lunches

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet access

Internet

English

Languages Spoken

Library

Billiards

Hiking

Picnic area

Recreation

Free parking

Parking nearby

Parking

Meeting and presentation facilities

Business

First Aid Kit

Beauty and wellness

Playroom

Family/Kid Friendly

Kids

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Temperature control for staff

Personal protection equipment for staff

Extra decontamination measures

Temperature control for guests

Additional measures against COVID-19

Health and Safety Measures

Location

At the hostel

Grizedale Forest

YHA Hawkshead - Hostel

Ambleside

Two stars maximum. The service is appalling. Indeed, check-in starts at 17:00, however, the building itself only opens at 17:00, thus, regardless of the indoor seating areas, guests are forced to sit in their cars or go elsewhere, or should you be a hiker without vehicle, you're naturally forced to wait outside in the cold like a dog until said time. I have never in 130+ countries and a decade of travel come across a hospitality business, irrespective of the price/standard that won't allow it's own guests a place to wait (especially when they actually have such space!) until the specified check-in time. Appalling is an understatement! When the doors did indeed open, nobody bothered to inform those of us who hax already been waiting, and upon entry all of the lounge radiators were switched off and likewise the lights too! The only redemption from a 1 star review was that the room was nice, and that is it! 

Appalling

Stay far away! This place is run by monters and rasist. They turned down a family of four because despite providing them with our names, surnames, address, telefon numers and bank statements of both of us that were accessed with passwords and security details on the phone (that they were keen to look at)  my husband did not have a bank card on him! I had, I was fine but the whole Family of 4 was refused (already paid for) one night stay including two children one of which was 8 months old!!!!!! Staff decided it is ok to leave us with no accommodation on a cold and wet October evening. Far away from home we were forced to spend the cold night in the car with the baby with no access to hot water to make baby a milk! 
We have complaned to the manager many times who really did not care and believes the staff decision to turn all 4 family down including a baby was a great one, did not refund us already paid money and said we could book a stay elsewhere on the night. If we had money to book in a hotel (and short notice) we would not have booked a stay in a hostel for £37! 
Disgaceful monsters!

Stay away! 

Stayed for  3 nights in a  Bell tent.

Staff were  really helpful, area was clean and tidy and the bedding was pretty comfy for a camping set up.

Was really surprised how much warmth the little log burner gave out as well.

More than happy to stay again!

Little Camping Trip

Lovely setting and good facilities, check in is not until 5pm. The bell tent was spacious and the bedding clean. The solar light lasted 2-3 hours max so take a torch. The 2 matches they leave were damp as were the 2 pieces of kindling so the fire was a non starter. Luckily it was a mild weekend although damp. It would have been nice to have the fire on to take the edge off and give some light. Definitely take a lighter and firelighters if you want the fire on

Take firelighters 

Booked myself & young family into a large bell tent for 3 nights. 
We had to pack up & leave ( during a rain downpour ) 1 day early due to our bell tent being flooded! & all of our bags on the ground being soaked, A Total disaster :-/
No one was on reception during the day to deal with or help the issue.

Flooded bell tent

Great location, lovely staff, good facilities. We stayed in a tipi and had a great tone. Near pubs and shops in Hawkshead. Nr Ambleside for lots more amenities. Great walk at Tarn Hows and waterfalls at Skelwith Force and Tom Ghyll

Another excellent YHA stay

A super location and comfortable bell tent with log burner and comfy beds, including duvets and pillows. A great location for Langdale and little langdale where you find the cathedral cave. A must see if in the area.

Bell Tent review

rented a 2 person hut for 4 nights this autumn 2022  , hut was warm and clean , facilities in food order and well maintained and clean and tidy . food wasn’t, to bad, good over all , has the veg breakfast and dinners and the  staff friendly and helpful, location is handy and has a good view !! 

no reason not too

I'm a bit too old for sleeping in a dorm but the private rooms are very comfortable. The duvets are nice and thick and the bedding is always crisp white and clean. This hostel is in a lovely tranquil rural setting. Great facilities and lovely breakfast.

Cosy comfort and great value for money

This was a great find and would definitely stay again. 

It's a beautiful building with great facilities, although clean, it does need a bit of TLC and a spruce up. The main building quite tatty with dirty walls and doors, and very worn-out sofas in the lounge, but it's a very beautiful building with all.oy interesting original features.

There is no hot drink making facilities in the main building and the kitchen is a walk outside up a hill and it's locked from 10pm to 7am. So if you need hot drinks and food early, this will be a problem. Having a kettle and small fridge in the main building wouldn't be to different to provide..

Apart from that, the staff are super lovely and it's a great location with great views. 

We will be back 


YHA Hawkshead - Hostel

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