Many Independent Hostels provide a great base for family holidays. We take our kids (Lily 8 and Hetty 7) on holidays in hostels all the time. Now our neighbours are doing it too.
The hostels that work best for families are ones with family rooms (often en-suite) and large shared areas. A family room can have a combination of bunks and beds and sleep between 3 and 8 people. It provides a place of security at night-time and yet the kids have all the fun of shared gardens and playrooms in the day. (New playmates are always the first looked for facility when we arrive at a hostel).
Then there is the huge asset of having self catering so you can feed your children what they are used to, when they are used to it. No need to stretch their teatime till evening, nag fidgety children to sit still or pay restaurant bills for every meal. Instead you can eat with the same familiarity and cost as you would at home and make the occasional meal at the pub into a treat.
 The thing I like best about holidaying in hostels is that that once the kids are in bed I get to sit by the fire and listen to tales of the other travellers. Not only does this remind me that I too am a traveller (because we all our in our own way), but it's a great way to pick up recommendations for the next days activity.
Hostels have another great advantage over traditional family self catering. Like hotels they are booked by the night. So you can book a room in the hostel for your whole holiday or you can stay a night or two and move on to explore a different area. This also makes hostels great for an overnight break to a journey or somewhere to stay close to an event or theme park.
Taking your family to a hostel is a truly social way to holiday. Kids just love to find playmates staying in their holiday home, and it remind us adults about the joy of travel. What's more anyone looking for a cheaper holiday in Britain will be glad of the budget overnight prices and the reduced cost of self catering.
Many hostels are so well adapted to families that we have created map featuring just those places that make a special effort to welcome families. Here's a link to it.
If this has wetted your appetite for a family holiday in Britain read on for some recommendations.
 Visit the Lincolnshire Wolds with rolling landscape, unexploited market towns and a scattering of windmills. Only twenty minutes drive from the bustling east coast with miles of sandy beach, punctuated by seaside towns of candyfloss, donkey rides and family attractions. Brook House Barn near Louth is a new conversion with 5 en-suite family rooms (varying from 4 to 6 beds) and really well thought-out shared areas. On the farm there is a riding stable which provides quality riding for all abilities. It is great to see the kids riding with reins instead of holding onto the handle on the donkey saddle.
Alnwick Castle in Northumberland is the scene of Hogwarts in the first Harry Potter films and attracts lots of families with events such as 'Castle Magician' and 'Knights School'. Northumberland also has a stunning coastline and lots of awe inspiring castles. There are 3 family friendly hostels in the area, so you can have a single base or tour around a bit. Tackroom Bunkhouse (close to the coast) has two rooms of 6 so is great for individual families or a couple of families holidaying together; the same goes for Chatton Park Bunkhouse. Bluebell Farm Bunkbarn has a family room for 6 and charges half price for children. Click here to see more accommodation in the Lake District.
Have a great value family holiday in the Perthshire Hills only an hour's drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. Comire Croft, is a 200 year old farmstead. It has en-suite family rooms of 3,4 and 5 beds and provides a cosy lounge and self catering kitchen. There are lots of bike routes within the hostels own 300 acre estate and the onsite bike hire shop rents out kids bikes, tagalongs and child seats. There is also a play barn, games room, toy chest and outdoor rope swing. Within a few miles you can visit Auchingarrich Wildlife Park, Famous Grouse Experience (which is very family oriented, despite the product) , Crieff Hydro Activity Centre and The Scottish Crannog Centre. Over the hills from Comrie is Culdees Bunkhouse especially designed for families with children, it has four family rooms each sleeping 4. Culdees is set alongside Loch Tay, it has pet animals, a large open barn for wet days and children are welcome to explore the farm.
Take the kids surfing in North Cornwall and stay at NorthshoreBude. A relaxed place with lots of family sized rooms and a large garden. The hostel is close to town and the surfing beaches. Family attractions include The Eden Project, Tintagel Castle, The Tamar Lakes, Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor and the Milkyway theme park. NorthshoreBude welcomes families with children aged over 5.
Stay in the Yorkshire Dales amidst stunning landscape overlooking Thruscross Reservoir at the West End Outdoor Centre. This interesting building is a conversion of a modern church and still contains the stained glass window. It has five family rooms, one sleeping 6 and lots of indoor space to play.
Blackwater Hostel in Kinlochleven has family en-suite rooms and is just 200m from the Ice Factor climbing and ice wall (largest in Europe). Climbing is available from age 6 upwards and there is a great outside adventure ground with high rope walks.
 Bala is a traditional lakeside holiday resort with many family attractions, including watersports, white water rafting, kayaking, sailing, High Ropes course, paintballing, abseiling, hill-hiking, and archery. Bala Backpackers has family rooms and welcomes children.
Gilfach Wen Barn is a stunningly beautiful area close to Brecon Beacons National Park, in the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains but only a 30 mins drive to Cefn Sidan Sands. Locally there is the National Botanical gardens of Wales, mountain bike trails including a specially designed Family Trail, a steam railway and a country park with dry ski slope. The barn has loads of space for the children to meet up and play and a large dining room.
The Old School Hostel is an ex-yha hostel which has been saved from closing by an enthusiastic couple who want people to enjoy its great location in an ecological way. It has four family rooms and shared areas with loads of games and toys. This is a great base for families who want to explore the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast.
BCC Lochness Hostel is a purpose built hostel with all rooms en-suite and family sized. It lies in the heart of one of Scotland's most stunning glens, enabling your family to escape from modern life. A great base to explore: Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Glen Affric (National Nature Reserve) and Glen Strathfarrar which are renowned for their stunning beauty and variety of wildlife. Also as a good stop off point for those travelling to Skye and the Hebrides and only twenty minutes drive from the historic City of Inverness.
Palace Farm Hostel in Kent has four family rooms arranged around a central courtyard. Each room has is self contained with its own bathroom and there is a central self catering kitchen available to all. The courtyard provides a safe outdoor social space for children to play and evening BBQs. Palace Farm is a great stop off on your way to the continent or a base for exploring the Garden of England. Nearby Faversham has a family friendly pool (with outdoor Lido) and riverbank walks. The countryside is scattered with cherries, plums and Hop Gardens. Perfect !
Half way between Inverness and John O'Groats is the small friendly Helmsdale Hostel. It has four en-suite private rooms and especially welcomes families.
Long Valley Yurts are an easy way to take your family camping. Yurts and Bell tents in the Lakeland Valleys; with comfortable beds, warm duvets, wood burning stoves and lanterns. Ideal for the outdoor active family with mountains rising up from the door, streams to swim in, cycling, climbing and mountain biking.
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