First experience of a YH and I was pleasantly surprised. Denise was so kind and makes a mightly fine scrambled egg!

Stayed in July 2025

Easy to find, parking very close, Denise (host) very helpful, communication was first class. The hostel is a lovely building, everything you need is there, and there are plenty of shops for food etc. The whole place is very clean and tidy. I would happily recommend this hostel and would definitely stay there again.

Stayed in August 2025

An excellent location in the Centre of town, this hostel meets the needs of most doing the Coast to Coast.

Stayed in August 2025

No host check in, but instructions left and we eventually found our room. Mis matched bedding, pillows could’ve been better and mattresses harder. Surprised at amount of traffic we heard throughout the night but it is harvest and tourist season.

Location is great, right in the centre. Hot showers, excellent drying room. Clean. Big dining area and fully equipped kitchen.

Stayed in July 2025

Everything was fine.

Stayed in July 2025

Low lighting to avoid disturbing others

There was none. That I know of

Stayed in July 2025

All the instructions were there for us when we arrived

Stayed in June 2025

Really nice venue very different being and old church had lots of character

Stayed in June 2025

The Kirkby Stephen Hostel was a nice warm haven after a day spent cycling through brutal weather. The hostess, Denise, made us a warm cuppa tea before even checking us in. She also gave me a lift to the train station the next rainy morning which was unexpected, but VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. The hostel was formerly a Methodist church and still has pews in the dining room. Most of the other guests were fellow cyclists or hikers and we sat around the dining table that night swapping bad weather stories. The beds were good, the wifi good, the large communal kitchen had EVERYTHING we needed and the town had plenty of grocery stores nearby. We'd never stayed at a hostel before, but if they're all like Kirkby Stephen we'd probably prefer them - if only for the company and stories of the other guests.

Stayed in June 2025

Great facilities

Stayed in May 2025

Slight issue with the dates, but they managed to sort it.

Very beautiful building and a great location.

Stayed in January 2025

I liked the excellent drying room and the little touches like the balls of newspaper left so I could fill my wet boots with them.

Stayed in November 2024

Spacious rooms, clothes drying facilities very welcome, lovely common room with games and piano

Lovely, clean, well equipped hostel, perfect for a restful sleep after a long hike in the rain. Can’t fault it.

Stayed in October 2024

Beds really soft with dipping mattresses

Central. Great spacious communal area and drying facilities

Stayed in August 2024

It was cold in the main room making it uncomfortable to lounge there.

Location Uniqueness Heater in the room

Stayed in September 2024

N/A

The location was great, room was comfortable. We didn't have breakfast at the Hostel. Our bicycles were securely stored for the night.

Stayed in September 2024

Not a massive drama but there was no sockets next to individual beds, only two double sockets in a room 8 rooms dorm i think. Storage space but not lockable if you landed that, but rooms are secure.

staff was lovely, clean, good location, bed was comfy enough, good amount of storage space.

Stayed in September 2024

One of the bathrooms ran out of toilet paper!

Quirky hostel in a good location. Very quiet when we stayed here, didn’t see anyone! Cheap and good value. Room cosy and comfortable.

Stayed in September 2024

The atmosphere proper hostel communal areas people respecting other s x

Stayed in September 2024

Nothing - considering the price all was perfect...

We really enjoyed the hostel - the price is very competitive so the lack of facilities etc is to be expected. The converted church is a great building with loads of atmosphere. Check in was easy - the rooms are fine for a short stay and the location is perfect for exploring the local area... The owner is a very nice lady who spent time to chat to us all and make sure we were happy with the stay.

Stayed in August 2024

Nice dorm accomodation in an old church. Clean but maybe a little shabby, overall a nice place to stay if you are hiking or biking as they have an excellent dry room.

Stayed in August 2024

Didn’t see any staff during our one night stay.

This is a hostel so the accommodation is basic. We had a private twin room with a shower to ourselves which was perfectly functional. The communal areas were as expected for a hostel with full cooking facilities and a decent drying room.

Stayed in August 2024

Nothing really, the hostel was as expected.

The beds were very comfortable. They were a full size and had decent bedding. Good hot shower with mat to prevent slipping.

Stayed in August 2024

Bit annoyed when a random dog appeared in the room sniffing around my belongings at 7.30am (door was shut). We were in Wardens so there was only one way in from main corridor that housed the other room who were leaving so guess it was theirs. Then there was a problem with my payment which was bizarre as I had booked via Booking.com a hotel in Lynmouth the week previous with no issues. Denise said I could pay when I arrived. I paid on the Sunday and went to sit down. I then received 2 notifications from my credit card to say 2 payments for the hostel had been deducted. I spoke to Denise who said Booking.com had taken the money and I needed to get it back from them as she only paid commission and didn't receive money from them - that means she gives beds out for free apart from commission paid to Booking.com which sounds bonkers. She then proceeded to show me a review from another guest who had also complained of being charged twice but Denise said he had booked 2 rooms. Contacted Booking.com who said hostel needed to refund me and I'm still waiting for that refund. Annoyingly when I did pay, Denise said she didn't have my booking in front of her (but sat in front of PC) so didn't know what the charge was. I had a vague idea and paid, which turned out to be slightly more than the cost, and she told me to cancel the Booking.com payment which was less! Booking.com were very clear. They do not take money and the refund should be the higher amount. Just need it to land in my account. I held back posting a review to give opportunity for my refund to come in but I'm now 11 days later and still waiting.

Booked one twin room for my friend and I which was fine for a one night stay in a hostel. Lovely old building. Good location in town.

Stayed in August 2024