Ambleside *** (Lake District) - New Year's Eve 2001
Large hostel, we were allocated a tiny, overheated, 2-bunk stuffy room - not big enough room to swing the proverbial cat round. There were some good points to spending New Year's Eve at Ambleside, such as the excellent fireworks display, but parking the car was a nightmare.
I would return to Ambleside but there are other excellent hostels in the Lake District that I prefer.
OPEN ALL YEAR
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Borrowdale *** (Lake District) - 2001 July
My first ever visit to a hostel. - can't remember too much. I missed my prepaid evening meal, I was ill. I don't think I missed much as either the hostel is restricted in what it is allowed to cook - it is a wooden building - or the manager was running some sort of healthy eating regime. Whatever, the meal choices seemed to resolve around a boiled or poached something or other, not a trace of anything like chips - not much use to me! Nor can I say that being assigned to a particular table with strangers is my cup of tea, I like to suit myself where I sit. The meals aside it was an extremely pleasant hostel, and our room was 4 berth and had a view. I'd readily return to Borrowdale, but I'd check the evening meal menu before ordering.
RESTRICTED OPENING PERIODS
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City of London * - St. Paul's (London) - 2003
Superbly located if you wish visit theatre land in London, its within comfortable walking distance. Certainly a memorable visit, unfortunately for the wrong reasons - The only hostel I have visited where the general level of service has been unacceptable, it really annoyed me - it was very poor, The Carlisle United of Youth Hostels! Will I willingly return to the City of London hostel? - No.
OPEN ALL YEAR (unfortunately)
Since this mini-review was written the YHA has upgraded the City of London hostel to ETC 3 Stars. The YHA state that improvements have been made to the hostel.
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Duddon Estuary *** - Cumbrian Peninsula (Lake District) - 2002
We booked into Duddon Estuary only by necessity, it was the only room available in the whole of the Lake District - it turned out to be a piece of good luck. The approach to the hostel by road is truly awful, it's depressing, but don't be put off, it's a tiny little gem of a hostel. Great views when you actually reach the hostel itself but I suggest you blindfold any passengers on the approach! Self catering only but the very friendly, and helpful, female manager recommended what turned out to be a very good pub for our evening meal. My only grouse is this, and it's by no means a criticism of this hostel, which I like. How on earth do the YHA justify Duddon Estuary and York both as 3 star hostels? - this a nonsense as far as I am concerned and does little to recommend the YHA star system as a guide to accommodation, the facilities of these two fine hostels are miles apart.
Finally, I'll happily return to Duddon Estuary, its an excellent little hostel with only 18 beds, but there is only 1 private room for 2 people available.
OPEN ALL YEAR
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Elterwater ** (Lake District) - 2002
Very pleasant hostel and Elterwater is a lovely village location. I remember enjoying the meals and that the hostel had Internet facilities. On the downside I also seem to recollect that the bathroom facilities needed upgrading. Another drawback I remember was that my partner saw a couple of spiders. This is a very old farmhouse building and perhaps at certain times of the year this is understandable, but she's an arachnophobic and I can tell you they didn't go down too well.
I'd willingly return to Elterwater, but 'er outdoors' will take some persuading. I'm working on her but a return visit will have to be at a time when the spiders aren't on the move, or heavens help me!
RESTRICTED OPENING PERIODS
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Grasmere Butterlip How **** (Lake District) - 2002 January & 2002
We've twice visited in winter. Like it a lot, definitely the best lounge with a wonderful real fire, also the best dining room with a lovely outlook. We were fortunate enough to enjoy the sunrise from it while breakfasting on a winter's morning. There was a light snowfall and frost. I'll remember it for a long time. One stay was in a large 4-bunk room, the other a 2-bunk room which was a little small. Great shower facilities, but the bunks were a little creaky.
Top notch hostel, we would both return at any opportunity.
RESTRICTED OPENING PERIODS (I wish it was open all year)
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Hartington Hall **** (Peak District) 2002 March
Magnificent 17th century manor house hostel. Large 122 bed hostel with high standards. Located in a great setting above the village.
Would return at any opportunity.
OPEN ALL YEAR except for two weeks in January.
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Helvellyn * (Lake District) - 2002 Early November
Friendly remote hostel, enjoyed the overnight stay and the following climb of Helvellyn itself. Very good food but the 1 star hostel has limitations on its facilities. Showers need upgrading to meet today's standards.
We would return for an overnight stop.
RESTRICTED OPENING PERIODS
Since this mini-review was written the YHA has upgraded the City of London hostel to ETC 2 Stars. The YHA state that improvements have been made to the hostel.
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Ilam Hall **** (Peak District) - 2002
A beautiful old Victorian gothic manor house owned by the National Trust and located within 84 acres of country park. A splendid location we came across it by accident whilst doing a walk from Hartington Hall. We couldn't resist adding an extra day on to our pre-Easter visit to the Peak District. The female manager was welcoming, offering us the last available room and a welcome cup of coffee. I'm not sure but I seem to recall she provided some sort of pass which provided free parking in the National Trust car park. This contradicts the hostel handbook information which is a little ambiguous as to a charge for parking. Nor do I think the 4-star YHA rating of Ilam is comparable the 4 stars of Hartington Hall. None the less it is a fine hostel.
We probably didn't get the best of rooms but the stay in such a splendid hostel was well worth it. We'd happily return. I look forward to producing a full review of both Ilam and Hartington Hall.
RESTRICTED OPENING PERIODS
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St. Pancras **** (London) - 2002
Lovely en-suite room, with a colour television. Lots of stairs to climb. A secure hostel in a not so secure environment. I can recall that the restaurant was strangely quiet for the evening meal but that here was a very friendly helpful American chef who made us feel very welcome. Some of us Brits could well learn a lot from the Americans on customer service. Also, remember when staying in the capital that some of the staff are not speaking in their native tongue so an apparent coldness of attitude is understandable.
I'd be happy to stay there again when visiting London.
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Whitby * (North York Moors) - 2002 August
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear - Whitby! The weather was never better than disgusting and often far worse. It was early August, I remember distinctly - it was my birthday.
Well, let me start by saying that I have to be fair and say that this most miserable overnight stay really wasn't all the hostel's fault, the weather could certainly be held partly responsible. For a brief five minutes, whilst in the town, we were able to see that it was indeed Whitby we were in, the photograph clearly proves that it was. But what off Whitby, and its hillside youth hostel?
You can get some idea of where the hostel is located from the photograph. It's close to position of the abbey ruins, high above the harbour. I'm assured that the views from the hostel are lovely - but we didn't see them, in fact we didn't see much, such was the state of the weather. What else do I remember about my stay at Whitby YH, quite a lot unfortunately. I remember getting soaked whilst walking to the hostel from the car in order to book in, I remember then getting soaked whilst returning to the car after being advised to move it. I then remember having to park the car a further half a mile away, and getting soaked returning to the hostel. I then remember getting soaked walking down into the town to see what was on offer, and I also remember walking back uphill - whilst getting soaked yet again. Above all of the soakings I remember one other thing - I remember a fellow guest, the "Mad Geordie Fish Filleter at Whitby". Now, when the first words a total stranger says to you are

"Hello, not a lot of people like me, I don't know why. Would you like to buy some fish? You can come and watch me fillet the fish in the kitchen if you like - do you like fish, I caught them myself?",

you just that you're not going to be totally at ease with the ensuing flow of conversation. You think that this guy was a one off, don't believe it, he had two mates with him, both of whom were obviously benefiting from care in the community - absolutely barking mad! To think that some poor sole (excuse the pun) was probably sharing dormitory accommodation with them doesn't bare thinking about. Knowing they were in the same building scared the **** out of me. Knowing they were also in possession of a fish filleting knife was enough to have me barricading ourselves into our room with a cupboard hard against the door. Throughout a night of thunder, lightning and torrential rain I remember thinking who I would most fear a knock on the door from, the "Mad Geordie Fish Filleter" or that other occasional local guest to Whitby, "Dracula". I can tell you there wasn't a lot to choose between the two of them!
Would we stay at the 1 star Whitby hostel again, strangely the answer is yes, I think we would, but hopeful without the some of the same guests and hopefully better weather!