Own Skiddaw House? Get verified — it's free.
- Add your socials and edit your profile any time
- Rank higher — listed above unclaimed profiles
Takes 2 mins · No card needed
About
A remote hostel in the northern Lake District fells, accessible only by foot or bike. The former shooting lodge sits high in the valley with views across Skiddaw and Blencathra. Beds are in shared dormitories, with a communal kitchen, dining room and lounge stocked with games. Walkers on the Cumbria Way often stop here, either to stay overnight or for coffee at the honesty bar. The building retains its historic character, with basic facilities suited to its isolated location. Camping is permitted nearby. Volunteers manage the hostel, which operates under YHA affiliation.
Customer Reviews
We had Skiddaw house for exclusive use for 2 nights as a party celebration place. It’s cosy and downstairs communal area is very spacious. There is a great supply of games and well equipped kitchen. There are also 4 toilets around the house. Nice touch- crocks of all sizes to change your boots into. |Upstairs bedrooms were with bedding and extra blankets. There are couple of bedrooms with twin beds and a double bed. But I won’t lie, it was very cold to sleep as was -5 outside and windows were frozen from inside.|On the positive side- fantastic views, full detox from any technology and great walks around the house! Very memorable stay that all of us have loved and enjoyed
Skiddaw House is a YHA affiliated hostel. It has twenty beds in four rooms.: a two-bed room; a four-bed room; a six-bed room; and an eight bed room. Its remote location means it is ideally suited to long distance walkers and wainwright-baggers. The hostel is right on the Cumbrian Way. Walking the Cumbrian Way with a friend, I tried to book a bed but was informed on the YHA website that the hostel was full. After emailing the owner/warden however, I was told we could camp in the garden. |When we arrived, I couldn't, at first, understand why the hostel was so quiet. I kept expecting more people to arrive. Wasn't it full? I soon learned there were four of us walkers on the Cumbrian Way that night - all of whom would have liked a bed; but were forced to sleep outside in tents in bad weather. It turned out that the four rooms had been booked out to a) one solo traveller from overseas, (non-walker), one solo traveller (non-walker), one pair of older gentlemen (non walkers) one mountain biking couple. i.e. the 20 beds were occupied by just six people. Four of us walkers were left to sleep in the garden. (whilst 14 beds were unoccupied indoors) . What kind of way is this to run a traditional hikers' hostel? ||I understand the YHA policy of booking out rooms of four, six, eight beds to individuals or couples. It means they get full occupancy fees. But it is at the expense of their core clientele. It discriminates against single travellers, young people on a budget, and people who simply want a bed in the great outdoors. It should be possible to walk the Cumbrian Way just staying in youth hostels, but only if you can book a bed for the night. Sadly, hostels at Carlise, Elterwater, Derwentwater, Caldbeck, have all closed along the Cumbrian Way. Why cant those that remain at least offer a bed to traditional 'hostellers' . ||Please rethink your core values and bed booking strategy.
Stayed here for a night whilst walking the Cumbria Way. Probably the most interesting and memorable place I’ve ever stayed! Incredible place - amazing scenery and lovely volunteers - jo & Pete. Feels like a total one off. Fully recommend staying at this place, and it breaks up two quite steep climbs on the Cumbria Way.
