YHA Helvellyn

Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0QR
92%

Excellent

(276 reviews)

YHA Helvellyn and river
Hot deals
20% off

HOTDEAL-232

Valid at selected YHA hostels between 28th March - 2nd May 2024 using the promo code at the checkout. Promotional terms and conditions apply. YHA members can get 25% off with our exclusive members only code. View all hostels on this offer.

Book:

What our shared rooms offer

  • Bed linen
  • Central heating
  • Hot water
  • Smoke alarm

What you need to know about our shared rooms

Check-in
From 17:00 - 22:00
Check-out
Before 10:00
Towels and toiletries
Hand soap is provided next to all sinks. Towels are not supplied as standard but can be rented or purchased from reception.
Bedding
Bedding is supplied in all our shared rooms.

What our private room offer

  • Bed linen
  • Central heating
  • Hot water
  • Smoke alarm

What you need to know about our private room

Check-in
From 17:00 - 22:00
Check-out
Before 10:00
Towels and toiletries
Hand soap is provided next to all sinks. Towels are not supplied as standard but can be rented or purchased from reception.
Bedding
Bedding is supplied in all our private rooms.

What our Camping & Cabins offer

  • Carbon monoxide alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Lock on doors

What you need to know about our Camping & Cabins

Check-in
From 17:00 - 22:00
Check-out
Before 10:00
Towels and toiletries
Hand soap is provided next to all sinks. Towels are not supplied as standard but can be rented or purchased from reception.
Bedding
Bedding is supplied in our Landpods.
Dogs
Dogs can stay in our Landpods. There is a £5 charge per dog per night for our Landpod accommodation which is payable upon arrival. When staying as part of a Camping & Cabins booking, dogs are permitted in the public areas within the hostel (except in kitchens).
Guest access
Guests have use of the whole hostel during public opening hours.

Hire:

YHA Helvellyn exterior
  • Sleeps up to 64 guests
  • 19 bedrooms
  • 6 bathrooms

Situated 963ft up one the UK’s largest mountains, YHA Helvellyn is quite the location for those looking for an action-packed adventure holiday or a peaceful retreat in one of England's most breath-taking spots.

Where you'll sleep

Across the entire building there is a total of 19 bedrooms.

Ground floor

One room that sleeps up to 2 people. It includes a set of bunk beds.

One room that sleeps up to 3 people. It includes a set of bunk beds and a single bed.

Four rooms that sleep up to 4 people each. They include 2 sets of bunk beds.

First floor

One room that sleeps up to 3 people. It includes a single high-sleeper bunk with a double bed underneath.

Seven rooms that sleep up to 4 people each. They include 2 sets of bunk beds.

One room that sleeps up to 5 people. It includes a single high-sleeper bunk with a double bed underneath and a set of bunk beds.

One room that sleeps up to 6 people. It includes 3 sets of bunk beds.

One room that sleeps up to 8 people. It includes 4 sets of bunk beds.

A cot is available.

Shared spaces

Kitchen and dining

The kitchen is located on the ground floor and includes a range of conveniences listed below.

Kitchen appliances: grill, kettle, microwave, oven, refrigerator, stove, toaster.

Kitchenware: dishes and cutlery, kitchen utensils, pots, pans.

Cleaning basics: cloths, sponges, washing up liquid.

Located on the ground floor, the dining room seats up to 30 people across 7 tables and bench seats.

Bathrooms

Across the entire building there is a total of six bathrooms.

Toilets: 9

Showers: 6

Toilet paper is provided and hand soap is available next to all sinks.

Outdoors

Outside consists of some small grounds.

The grounds are not enclosed.

What our whole hostel offer

  • Ambulant accessible
  • Bed linen
  • Carbon monoxide alarm
  • Central heating
  • Cleaning basics
  • Dishes and cutlery
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Fridge
  • Grill
  • Hot water
  • Kettle
  • Kitchen
  • Kitchen utensils
  • Lock on doors
  • Microwave
  • Mountain view
  • Oven
  • Shower(s)
  • Smoke alarm
  • Stove
  • Toaster

What you need to know about our whole hostel

Check-in
From 16:00
Check-out
Before 10:00
Heating
There is central heating throughout the property.
Bedding
Bedding is supplied in all our rooms.
Dogs
Hire YHA Helvellyn and bring your dogs! Add a dog to your booking at the checkout and bring your four-legged friend along with you. Dogs are not permitted in the bedrooms, on the furniture, or in the kitchen, and must be kept on a lead in the grounds.
Checking in
You will receive an email prior to your arrival with the property address and check-in instructions.
Guest access
Guests have use of the whole property, except the bar and pot wash. The hostel manager lives onsite, within the hostel building with access on the first floor.
WiFi
Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.

Overview

Situated in a unique spot, 963ft up one the UK’s largest mountains, YHA Helvellyn is quite the base for those looking to enjoy an all action holiday, or equally to relax in the peace and quiet that such an area can offer.

Mountain bikers will love the downhill ride from the summit of the mountain. In the winter months, there is a ski slope with drag lift 40 minutes' walk (or ski) away from the hostel. There are also plenty of less strenuous walking routes starting from the front door!

Why guests love YHA Helvellyn

  • Free parking on premises
  • Mountain view
  • Cycle store
  • Located 963ft up the third highest mountain in the country
  • On the doorstep of the Helvellyn range
  • Situated in the Lake District National Park
Helvellyn Exterior
Helvellyn Exterior
Helvellyn exterior
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Accommodation at YHA Helvellyn

Bed in a shared room

If you're happy to share, dorm rooms have multiple beds - ideal for budget breaks.

View info Book now

Private rooms

Like your own space? Private rooms offer the hostelling experience with more privacy.

View info Book now

Landpods

Enjoy the camping experience with some upgrades for added comfort in our Landpods.

View info Book now

Hire the whole place

With YHA Exclusive Hire, you can take the entire building for you and your group.

View info Book now

Group bookings for 16+ guests

Let YHA take care of your stay with our group booking service.

View info Book now

Reviews

Food and drink at YHA Helvellyn

  • Unlimited breakfast at YHA Helvellyn

    Enjoy all you can eat for breakfast including sausage, bacon, eggs, hash browns, tomatoes and beans. Continental options include fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt and pastries. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to get stuck into. Drinks are included too! Under 10s eat for £1 with our special offer (see menu for details).

    View menu
    Cooked full English breakfast

  • Main menu at YHA Helvellyn

    Take your pick from our range of delicious light bites, hearty classics, and delicious desserts – everything you need after a long day of exploring. Under 10s eat for £1 with our special offer (see menu for details). Vegan and vegetarian options available.

    View menu
    Burger, chips and coleslaw on a plate

Things to do around YHA Helvellyn

  • Helvellyn mountain near Glenridding with walkers on path

    Walking and Rambling on Helvellyn

    If you're planning on staying at YHA Helvellyn, why not download a free map and get out exploring?All our self-guided walks start and end at a YHA hostel and are graded so that you can explore the are

  • Aira Force waterfalls

    Aira Force Waterfalls

    Indulge in impressive mountain scenery and a 65ft waterfall that inspired many of Wordsworth's great works. See the National Trust website See the Visit Cumbria website

  • Boy having fun on a Quadbike

    Rookin House Farm

    An activity centre offering horse riding for all abilities, archery and quad biking to name but a few. Visit the website for full details

  • Glenridding Sailing Centre from on Ullswater

    Glenridding Sailing Centre

    Hire out a sailboat, canoe or kayak for use on Ullswater.  A range of courses are offered. Visit the Centre's website for more details.

  • Ullswater Steamer and sailboat

    Watersports near Helvellyn

    Ullswater is great for a wide variety of water sports from sailing to windsurfing - you can even travel light and hire all the equipment you need from the sailing centre. A trip on the Ullswater St

  • Mountain biking on Helvellyn

    Bike up Helvellyn, the second highest mountain in the Lake District, to get your heart pumping! Or if you fancy a lakeside route try Ullswater Singletrack near High Street and Place Fell.

  • Ullswater Steamers

    Ullswater Steamers

    1.5 miles A ferry service with great views of “England’s most beautiful lake”. Sails from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge, stopping in the summer at Howtown.

  • Ullswater

    Ullswater

    The second largest lake in the Lake District is nine miles long, snaking through a stunning valley between high mountains, none more impressive than Helvellyn to its southwest.

  • Dalemain House

    The Dalemain Estate

    Behind its Georgian facade, this fantastic house has a wealth of Tudor and Mediaeval rooms and buildings to explore.

Hostel facilities

  • Contactless payments
  • Cycle store
  • Evening meals
  • Free parking on premises
  • Games
  • Group meals
  • Intermittent mobile coverage
  • Licensed bar
  • Minibus parking on premises
  • Mountain view
  • Restaurant
  • Shared drying room
  • Unlimited breakfast
  • Water refill station
  • WiFi

Hostel need to know

Road closures: Due to essential roadworks, the A592 alongside Ullswater will be closed in stages from March 2023 to April 2024. The closure periods will be intermittent but may impact travel to and from this hostel on specific dates. Diversion routes will be in place and local bus services may also be affected.

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: The property has a free car park on-site for guests and patrons. This car park is controlled by an ANPR parking system. Upon arrival, motorists are required to validate their presence by entering their car's registration number at reception.

WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.

Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA Helvellyn, except in our Camping & Cabins accommodation or when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire. Assistance dogs are welcome - please notify us at the time of booking.

YHA Helvellyn - Access Statement

(PDF download - 109.87 KB)

YHA Helvellyn

Greenside, Glenridding, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0QR

Map references

OS Map:
90
OS Grid Ref:
NY366173
Lat/Lng:
54.547756, -2.981393

Contact information

Get directions

Volunteering

Volunteering with YHA is a fantastic way to have fun, learn new skills, boost your CV and travel to different places. We have a variety of different opportunities to choose from and volunteering roles to suit everyone.  

The tasks are varied and in return you will meet some great people, who both work and stay in our hostels, as well as enjoying your time off discovering the local area and attractions.

Find out more and apply to volunteer at this hostel through YHA volunteering. 

History

The mountain-side hostel known at first as Glenridding was often described as a former lead miner’s hostel. Debris from the old mines lay all around the hostel still to this day. The hostel used to be for men only in 1947 but expanded to accommodate both sexes the following year. In 2011, YHA Helvellyn received a sparkling renovation, making the hostel a lot more modern and refreshing.

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