Name: YHA Ambleside
Address: Waterhead, Waterhead, Ambleside, South Lakeland District, England, United Kingdom, Waterhead, Cumbria, GB
Price range: US$50–US$263 per night
Rating: 8.7

What guests think

Reviews of YHA Ambleside consistently praise its scenic lakeside setting with beautiful views and convenient access to Ambleside, along with friendly, helpful staff and good value for simple stays, making it a practical base for walkers and budget travellers.

Rooms are basic, with mixed comfort reports—some found beds very comfy while others noted hard mattresses and heat. Cleanliness is generally good across rooms and shared facilities, though a few comments mention occasional issues. Parking is limited and can be difficult. Overall, expect a straightforward hostel stay without many frills.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

An on site bar and restaurant are available. Parking is limited and can be difficult.

Related guest reviews

8

Greg

6 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

A really pleasant stay again at this YHA in Ambleside. Very friendly staff and a comfortable basic room. Didn’t use the bar/restaurant or have breakfast on this occasion but they were excellent on my stay last year. Would recommend and book again.

8

Jonathan

19 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Breakfast was really good. Beds werent comfortable.

10

Leonardo

15 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

My go to place whenever I visit Ambleside. Best view and best prices for a young explorer. Mustn’t forget the great staff and lovely food, great location right by the lake for some peace and quiet and close enough to town for any shopping:) Lovely place.

8

Emma

2 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

This YHA is in such a stunning location. A couple of the showers on my floor were unfortunately out of order. Parking is very limited. Scaffolding on my dorm window unfortunately restricted the view of the lake. But in spite of all of this I would go back. The views and location were perfect.

6

Nicola

14 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Sorry to put poor but the mattress was hard and damp and the pillow was uncomfortable and I could not sleep well at all. The room was way to hot even with the central heating off and the floor boards creeked a lot . But the view was lovely and the overall presence of the hostel was nice. The hot breakfast was poor as wasnt fresh but was nice to have the continental. The staff were friendly which was nice

4

Venkateshwarlu

24 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Parking is terrible and staff is not friendly. Shared bathrooms are not clean and no one to take care of…

10

Paul

11 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Love the views, room was clean as were showers and toilets. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Food in bar and breakfast lounge was tasty. Parking is interesting!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Multiple guests found rooms and bathrooms clean, though a few raised issues such as shared bathrooms not clean and some showers out of order.

Related guest reviews

10

Swathi

26 Oct 2022

·

Stayed 4 nights

Set in a beautiful location and just 20 min from the town centre by foot, this property was ideally located to explore the area. It was very clean and the staff were friendly.

10

Maura

5 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Absolutely bloody fantastic. I will stay YHA every time from now on. I loved it. Freedom to explore when you want and how you want. The comfiest single bed ever and a gorgeous hot shower too. Excellent location. Staff so helpful. I don't want to give this place the rating it deserves cos I want to keep it for myself, but yeah, Amazing.

8

Emma

2 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

This YHA is in such a stunning location. A couple of the showers on my floor were unfortunately out of order. Parking is very limited. Scaffolding on my dorm window unfortunately restricted the view of the lake. But in spite of all of this I would go back. The views and location were perfect.

6

Nicola

14 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Sorry to put poor but the mattress was hard and damp and the pillow was uncomfortable and I could not sleep well at all. The room was way to hot even with the central heating off and the floor boards creeked a lot . But the view was lovely and the overall presence of the hostel was nice. The hot breakfast was poor as wasnt fresh but was nice to have the continental. The staff were friendly which was nice

4

Venkateshwarlu

24 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Parking is terrible and staff is not friendly. Shared bathrooms are not clean and no one to take care of…

10

Claire

28 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Basic but clean and great location next to the lake.

10

Paul

11 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Love the views, room was clean as were showers and toilets. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Food in bar and breakfast lounge was tasty. Parking is interesting!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are basic with mixed comfort; some guests slept well, while others reported hard or damp mattresses and overly warm rooms.

Related guest reviews

8

Greg

6 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

A really pleasant stay again at this YHA in Ambleside. Very friendly staff and a comfortable basic room. Didn’t use the bar/restaurant or have breakfast on this occasion but they were excellent on my stay last year. Would recommend and book again.

8

HOWARD

1 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

The room was adequate but hot. Staff were great It sufficed for our needs

8

Jonathan

19 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Breakfast was really good. Beds werent comfortable.

10

Maura

5 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Absolutely bloody fantastic. I will stay YHA every time from now on. I loved it. Freedom to explore when you want and how you want. The comfiest single bed ever and a gorgeous hot shower too. Excellent location. Staff so helpful. I don't want to give this place the rating it deserves cos I want to keep it for myself, but yeah, Amazing.

8

Emma

2 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

This YHA is in such a stunning location. A couple of the showers on my floor were unfortunately out of order. Parking is very limited. Scaffolding on my dorm window unfortunately restricted the view of the lake. But in spite of all of this I would go back. The views and location were perfect.

6

Nicola

14 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Sorry to put poor but the mattress was hard and damp and the pillow was uncomfortable and I could not sleep well at all. The room was way to hot even with the central heating off and the floor boards creeked a lot . But the view was lovely and the overall presence of the hostel was nice. The hot breakfast was poor as wasnt fresh but was nice to have the continental. The staff were friendly which was nice

8

DADI

2 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

All are good except the WiFi didn’t work at all

10

Claire

28 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Basic but clean and great location next to the lake.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Staff are frequently described as friendly and helpful. One review reported unfriendly service.

Related guest reviews

10

Caroline

9 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location very helpful staff ..

8

Greg

6 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

A really pleasant stay again at this YHA in Ambleside. Very friendly staff and a comfortable basic room. Didn’t use the bar/restaurant or have breakfast on this occasion but they were excellent on my stay last year. Would recommend and book again.

8

Jacqueline

30 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location, staff are very friendly.

8

HOWARD

1 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

The room was adequate but hot. Staff were great It sufficed for our needs

10

Daniel

2 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Very nice staff and location. So much I have booked again for another week. Regardless of the building and location its the staff that make a place. So its 5 stars.

10

Chenchira

16 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I like this place. Staff were nice and welcoming. Would definitely coming back again.

10

Young

10 Oct 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Excellent location and staff services

4

Venkateshwarlu

24 Nov 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Parking is terrible and staff is not friendly. Shared bathrooms are not clean and no one to take care of…

10

Vamshi Kumar

6 Dec 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Amazing place to stay, very nice staff all over best play to stay in Lake District

10

Paul

11 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Love the views, room was clean as were showers and toilets. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Food in bar and breakfast lounge was tasty. Parking is interesting!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Scenic lakeside setting with beautiful views, about a 20 minute walk to town. Frequently cited as ideal for exploring the area.

Related guest reviews

10

Caroline

9 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location very helpful staff ..

10

Leonardo

15 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

My go to place whenever I visit Ambleside. Best view and best prices for a young explorer. Mustn’t forget the great staff and lovely food, great location right by the lake for some peace and quiet and close enough to town for any shopping:) Lovely place.

10

Tom

14 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Enjoyable stay- so nice to be right on the lake as wel!

10

graeme

28 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent location

10

Swathi

26 Oct 2022

·

Stayed 4 nights

Set in a beautiful location and just 20 min from the town centre by foot, this property was ideally located to explore the area. It was very clean and the staff were friendly.

10

Ross.

12 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely location good value for 5 adults, stopover on way to Scotland

8

Jun Kyeoung

25 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location close to the lake

10

William

2 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great position

10

Claire

28 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Basic but clean and great location next to the lake.

10

Paul

11 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Love the views, room was clean as were showers and toilets. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Food in bar and breakfast lounge was tasty. Parking is interesting!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast and bar meals receive positive mentions, though one guest found the hot breakfast poor while the continental was fine.

Related guest reviews

8

Greg

6 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

A really pleasant stay again at this YHA in Ambleside. Very friendly staff and a comfortable basic room. Didn’t use the bar/restaurant or have breakfast on this occasion but they were excellent on my stay last year. Would recommend and book again.

8

Jonathan

19 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Breakfast was really good. Beds werent comfortable.

10

Leonardo

15 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

My go to place whenever I visit Ambleside. Best view and best prices for a young explorer. Mustn’t forget the great staff and lovely food, great location right by the lake for some peace and quiet and close enough to town for any shopping:) Lovely place.

6

Nicola

14 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Sorry to put poor but the mattress was hard and damp and the pillow was uncomfortable and I could not sleep well at all. The room was way to hot even with the central heating off and the floor boards creeked a lot . But the view was lovely and the overall presence of the hostel was nice. The hot breakfast was poor as wasnt fresh but was nice to have the continental. The staff were friendly which was nice

10

Paul

11 Mar 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Love the views, room was clean as were showers and toilets. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Food in bar and breakfast lounge was tasty. Parking is interesting!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$52
February	US$64
March	US$61
April	US$79
May	US$117
June	US$107
July	US$110
August	US$122
September	US$75
October	US$70
November	US$61
December	US$69

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6 $62	7 $84	8 $62	9 $84	10 $58	11	12
13 $51	14 $51	15 $51	16 $72	17 $58	18 $149	19 $263
20 $58	21 $66	22 $72	23 $72	24	25	26
27 $58	28 $58	29 $66	30 $72

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $58	2 $116	3 $101
4 $50	5 $58	6 $58	7 $58	8 $58	9 $176	10 $203
11 $58	12 $58	13 $66	14 $66	15 $58	16 $149	17 $186
18 $58	19 $58	20 $66	21 $58	22 $58	23 $149	24 $186
25 $58	26 $58	27 $66	28 $58	29 $58	30 $149	31 $186

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About this property

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