| THE
HOSTEL |
LOCATION
Another superb location, overlooking Buttermere and the High Crag
range of fells. Within comfortable walking distance of the village.
For our visit the hostel was very quite. Fabulous for fellwalking.
|
10
|
THE
HOSTEL BUILDING
& ATMOSPHERE
A traditional Lakeland slate building this beautiful Victorian period
hostel has a lovely atmosphere about it. I personally find its design
to be very much to my own taste, as is the fact that it's not too
big, nor too small, 70 beds - just right. The building is well laid
out, The dining area has good views from the window, as has the
comfortable upstairs lounge. There is also a second lounge on the
ground floor.
Opening Hours: 7-10am : 5-11am |
9
|
CLEANLINESS
and TIDINESS
The standard was superb, very clean and
tidy. |
10
|
THE
ROOM
There is only one 2-bed room at Buttermere.
We were allocated a 4-bunk room, which was a relief, the additional
space is always welcome. The hot water supply was excellent, as
was the size of the sink and mirror. Only one chair and no hospitality
tray were the minus points. Bunks were comfortable with no creaking
noise, nor was there any noise from internal plumbing or outside
traffic. Surprisingly, I did not get a good nights sleep.
There was little to view from our room. |
7
|
SHOWERS
AND TOILETS
Excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed
the refreshing shower after the days walking. It would have scored
a superb 10 points had it not been for the fact that the shower
lights went out for a few seconds before I'd finished. The same
thing happened to my partner. |
9
|
CAR
PARKING
The
hostel was very quite and we had no trouble parking, but my impression
was that there could be problems when the hostel is anything like
full. The parking area is in front of the hostel and gated from
the road. Alternatively you would have to use the roadside parking
which can be found 200yds away on the Newlands Valley road. |
7
|
|
SHOP
FACILITIES
I like to go onto the fells with a
couple of tubes of Rolos in my rucksack, unfortunately they weren't
available! OK, I can here you say "Why didn't you take some
with you?" Simple - I'd have scoffed the lot on the first
day! No vending machine in the hostel - there needs to be one
as there is no nearby shop in the village.
|
5
|
| |
|
| STAFF
& MEALS |
3
COURSE EVENING MEAL
We were the only couple to have
ordered an evening meal, we wondered if fellow guests knew something
we didn't? No worry, the food was very good and with the hostel
being quite we had the luxury of our meals being served to our table
- I'm sure this isn't the normal procedure! |
8
|
BREAKFAST
Very
good, as with the evening meal we were the only ones in for breakfast,
so it was served to the table - I could certainly get used to this! |
8
|
FRIENDLINESS
OF STAFF
Helpful, friendly and polite - but no
welcome drink offered |
8
|
| |
|
| ADDITIONAL
FACILITIES |
TELEVISION
No reception because of the surrounding
fells. Video only. |
1
|
INTERNET
FACILITIES FOR USE
It was a disappointment to find no facilities
available, this is definitely something that needs to be addressed.
|
0
|
| |
| BUTTERMERE
YOUTH HOSTEL |
82
|
|
WOULD WE RETURN TO BUTTERMERE? -
YES, definitely. Buttermere is a very good hostel surrounded by
some of the best fell walking country available. The weather is
often the key to a good stay and we were reasonably fortunate,
and were able to get in a couple of really good walks. We rate
Buttermere as being a 3 star hostel, this is the same as the YHA
rating. The hostel has ambitions to be upgraded to a 4 Star and
we think this should be possible, but to do this the installation
of Internet for guests and an improvement in shop facilities by
means of a vending machine are a must.
|
|
|
Dining
Room
View
from the hostel
