"Although I was only with you for one night, it was brilliant. What a wonderful hostel you have created. I loved being there and can only say THANK YOU once again for the welcome and welcoming ambience. "
Mary Pritchard, April 2019.
Mary Pritchard, April 2019.
Facilities
- 88 bed spaces across 11 bedrooms, all with bunkbeds, mirrors, and lockable cupboards. Rooms vary in size from 4 bed spaces to 22. All of the rooms apart from one have a sink. All tap water is suitable for drinking.
- None of the rooms are ensuite, but there are seperate male and female washrooms. There are also some unisex toilets and showers.
- Free Wifi.
- On-site car and coach park.
- Souvenirs and a small range of outdoor equipment (such as maps and whistles) available to purchase at Reception.
- Sweets and drinks available to purchase at Reception.
- A large drying room.
- A washing machine and tumble drier. Please purchase tokens at Reception.
- Towels available to hire. Please ask at Reception.
- Hairdryer and iron available to borrow. Please ask at Reception.
- Interesting display boards in the rooms and corridors.
- Large self catering kitchen and dining area, with views of Derwent Water. The self catering kitchen contains 2 microwaves, 3 ovens, 3 fridges, 1 freezer, 2 sinks, lots of storage space, washing up equipment, recycling bins, tables and chairs to seat about 20 people, 2 high-chairs, and all the cooking utensils and crockery that we think you will need!
- An attractive lounge with a large fireplace (open fires available), comfortable sofas, a selection of books and magazines, a toy box, several games and jigsaws, and fantastic views of Derwent Water.
- A large lounge with pool table, table football, a television for showing videos, and inspiring views of Derwent Water and the surrounding fells.
- A small television lounge, with a television and DVD player, local information leaflets, a small local reference library (please ask if you would like to look at anything from the library cupboard), and views of Derwent Water and the surrounding fells.
- A table tennis (ping pong) room. Please ask at Reception to borrow table tennis bats and balls.
- Large grounds with wild meadow, woodland, stream and waterfall.
- Hostel hydro-electric scheme - group tours available, subject to staff availability.
- Projector, screen and flipchart stand.
- Whiteboards in two rooms.
- Photocopying, printing and fax facilities (for a small charge).
- Selection of outdoor and indoor games (free to borrow).
- Local maps & information leaflets.
- Tea, coffee, and traybakes available to buy.
- A flask-filling service - prices vary depending on the size of flask!
- Orienteering trail (click here to download the maps).
- Indoor red squirrel trail.
- Colouring-in pictures of Barrow House.
- Lake access for launching small watercraft.
- Superb mix of habitats within walking distance.
- Keswick Launch jetty (Ashness Jetty) near the hostel.
- Speakers available from the Lake District National Park, the National Trust, the Mountain Rescue Team, or the Forestry Commission.
Classrooms/meeting rooms
The two dining rooms double up as classrooms, with whiteboards and screens available for both. The large dining room can seat around 75. The small dining room can seat 30-40. The lounges and games rooms can also be used as meetings rooms. Please ensure that you have booked a meeting room in advance.
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Derwentwater Independent Hostel
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Looking down on the hostel
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A bedroom in the modern annexe
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Evening light on Derwent Water
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Barrow House in Spring
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Inspiring local walks
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Red squirrels can be seen in our grounds
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View of Derwentwater Independent Hostel from a kayak
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Spring-time view from Derwentwater Independent Hostel
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Room One, our largest dormitory
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Autumn colours by the waterfall
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A heron next to our waterfall
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Spectacular local walks
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You can see Derwent Island from the hostel grounds. It used to be owned by Joseph Pocklington, the wealthy bachelor who built Barrow House.
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Astronomy workshops at Derwentwater Independent Hostel
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Expedition Medicine training at Derwentwater Indepedent Hostel
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The dam of the hydro-electric plant in the Derwentwater Independent Hostel grounds
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Walking up the fells behind the hostel
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Castlerigg Stone Circle - a short walk from the hostel
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Ashness Bridge - at the top of the hostel waterfall path
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Mist on Derwentwater
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Keswick Launch on Derwentwater
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Clear night sky
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View of Skiddaw Range from Falcon Crag (above the hostel)
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Half way up Cat Bells
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Keswick Christmas lights
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Bluebells near Buttermere
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Many of our guests enjoy walking on the fells around Borrowdale
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Building shelters in our woodland
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Our groups often enjoy adventurous activities in the Borrowdale Valley
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Sunset from the terrace in April
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Some of the staff and volunteers with our giant Easter Egg
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The dining room decorated for a wedding in 2014
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Conservation volunteers making a willow shelter in our grounds 2014
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A local walk around Watendlath
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A close-up of the fireplace in Room One
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Gingerbread house in front of the real thing.
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Staff take an evening walk along the lake shore.
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A very calm day on Derwent Water.
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A Mandarin duck on the lake shore.
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York Rowing Club training on Derwent Water during their stay with us.
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Bugle flower in the hostel grounds
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Tea and cake in the servery
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Winter walking
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Wooden hands sculpture on west side of Derwent Water.