Windermere Lake Cruises
Windermere is England’s largest lake situated in the heart of the Lake District. Experience the spectacular views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and the delightful wooded islands by boat with...
YHA Windermere
Overview
Want to wake up next to the largest lake in England? YHA Windermere is a unique historic building set in four acres of grounds with stunning panoramic views over Lake Windermere to Claife Heights, Coniston Fells and the Langdales Pikes. The hostel is an ideal base for anyone wanting to escape the crowds and perfect for activity breaks and family holidays – while children will love the large wooded grounds.
Relax with a drink on the terrace and enjoy good-quality food from our restaurant and bar. We're home to some glamping options including Landpods and tipis too, so you can wake up enjoying panoramic views of the lake and mountains.
The hostel is just two miles from Windermere with nearby attractions including Beatrix Potter World, Brockhole Activity Centre, Wray Castle, Lake Cruises and The Jetty Museum.
Accommodation at this hostel
- Bed in a shared room is offered here
- Private room is offered here
- Camping & Cabins is offered here
- Entire place is offered here
Why guests love this hostel
- Spectacular panoramic views across Lake Windermere
- Extensive outdoor space including woodland, gardens and fields
- Great base for exploring the Lake District
Accommodation at YHA Windermere
Group booking
Serviced group stays for 16 to 63 people
Want to wake up next to the largest lake in England? YHA Windermere is a unique historic building set in four acres of grounds with stunning panoramic views over Windermere to Claife Heights, Coniston Fells and the Langdales Pikes.
Within in the hostel grounds we have beautiful woodland, gardens and an extensive camping field – the perfect range of outdoor environments for activities, workshops and lessons.
Group-friendly facilities
Sleeping arrangements
Most of our bedrooms are dormitory style rooms with bunk beds. We always try to allocate bedrooms close together and will never ask your group to share bedrooms with anyone not in your group.
Upgrades are available for sole use of an area, floor or the entire place.
Shared spaces
There are three main social spaces for groups to enjoy – our spacious lounge, dining room and outdoor terrace with an incredible view. Why not enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner from this amazing space?
Group catering
With tasty breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals, groups are sure to find something tasty to eat at YHA Windermere (see sample menu).
Meal plans range from bed and breakfast up to full-board catering. Vegetarian options are available and we aim to cater for any special dietary requests.
Parking
Parking is available at the hostel.
Packages and bolt-ons
Looking to fill some free time? We offer a wide selection of bolt-on activities such as raft building, gorge scrambling, fell walking and more. These are great for more adventurous groups and ideal for children to gain new experiences and confidence.
Accredited site
YHA Windermere holds a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge (105551).
This accreditation means that this hostel has externally audited risk assessments, verified insurance provision, quality checked safety logs and delivery observed by national reviewers.
Hostel facilities
- Contactless payments
- Cycle store
- Dining room
- Evening meals
- Free parking on premises
- Games
- Garden/grounds
- Group meals
- Highchair
- Intermittent mobile coverage
- Lake view
- Licensed bar
- Minibus parking on premises
- Mountain view
- Outdoor seating
- Restaurant
- Self-catering kitchen
- Shared drying room
- Shared laundry room
- Shared lounge
- Sole use available
- Unlimited breakfast
- Vending machines
- Water refill station
- WiFi
Hostel need to know
Reception opening hours: From 07:30 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 22:00.
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests daily from 07:30 – 09:00. Meals are also available from 17:00 – 20:00.
Licensed bar: This hostel has a licensed bar offering a range of alcohol and soft drinks. It is not possible for guests to bring their own alcohol, except when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire.
Self-catering: Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Parking: There is parking at the hostel.
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
Dogs: Dogs can stay on our campsite and in our Airstream, bell tents, Landpods and tipis (charge applies). You can bring your dog for free if you are camping in your own tent. When staying as part of a Camping & Cabins booking, dogs are permitted in the public areas within the hostel (except in kitchens). Assistance dogs are welcome throughout.
YHA Windermere - Access Statement
(PDF download - 133.41 KB)
Food and drink at YHA Windermere
Things to do around YHA Windermere
Go Ape Grizedale Forest
Go Ape Adventures at Grizedale Forest is the ultimate outdoor activity for adventurous families and adults. Take part in the Treetop Challenge, Zip Trekking Adventure or Treetop Adventure Plus. There...
The World of Beatrix Potter
Take a walk through Miss Potter's famous tales, complete with animatronics and walk-through scenes from her stories. The exhibition features favourite characters from the famous books, an award...
Walking and Rambling around Windermere
Lake Windermere No trip to Windermere is complete without a gentle ramble along Lake Windermere. The Lake Windermere west shore walk takes you along the water’s edge, providing a serene route with...
Cycling in Windermere
The best cycling is out of season when there's less traffic. There's an endless variety of cycling routes from quiet lanes to high mountain passes. Enjoy beautiful scenery and explore the lovely...
Lake Windermere
At over 10 miles long, the picturesque ribbon lake Windermere acts as an irresistible magnet at the heart of the Lake District. Surrounded by wooded slopes and moody mountains, your whole itinerary...
Windermere Jetty Museum
Come rain or shine the museum offers a welcoming space to spend time with friends and family. Housed inside striking architecture you’ll find a fascinating collection of boats, interactive displays...
Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
Visit the famous Grasmere Gingerbread shop, with its closely guarded recipe still being kept a secret to this day. Enjoy the wonderful aroma of freshly baked gingerbread and sample the delights inside...
Brockhole Visitor Centre
Take in the scenic views and gardens down to the shores of Windermere. See the house first created by William Gaddum, a silk merchant from Manchester, as his family's 'summer house'. Browse the shop...
Hill Top (Beatrix Potter)
Full of her favourite things, the house looks like Beatrix has just stepped out for a walk. Don't miss the lovely cottage garden.
Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House
From the leaf-shaped door handles to the carved wooden panelling, Blackwell is an important icon of Arts & Crafts architecture. Visit Blackwell's website
Lakes Aquarium
Watch otters swim from the underwater tunnel, stroll through the tropical rainforest and explore the seashore discovery zone.
Watersports in Windermere
Enjoy an afternoon on England's largest natural lake. There's a watersports centre on the shore of Windermere, only three miles from the hostel. The centre offers, kayaking, canoeing, raft building...
More about this hostel
Volunteering
We are very grateful for all of the help and support that our generous volunteers give to YHA. Volunteering is a great way to meet people, visit new places, gain experiences and have fun.
At YHA Windermere, we offer the following volunteering opportunities subject to availability:
Find out moreull details of all of our various volunteering programmes can be found on our volunteering website.
History
The existing building at High Cross has been a hostel for over 75 years. Thought to be one of the first buildings in the country to be made of concrete, it was built in the late 1920s and opened as a hostel in 1935.
Originally intended as a private guesthouse for clergy, the present building replaced an earlier wooden building on the same site that was dramatically destroyed by fire in 1915. The owner, vowing that this would never happen again, designed his second house as a more sturdy construction of solid concrete. Known until recently as High Cross Castle, the building derives its name from a stone cross in the grounds.
Meet the team
YHA Windermere is a beautiful hostel. It is a tranquil, conformable and relaxing place to be. It's a perfect base with plenty of routes for running, walking and exploring the amazing National Park.
Manager recommends: Windermere is the gateway to one of the most iconic valleys in the Lake District: Langdale. Both Great Langdale and Little Langdale offer amazing walks, climbing, mountain biking, picnic spots and great pubs. A full day linking the two valleys is highly recommended, taking in Blea Tarn and finishing in Elterwater.
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