The Best Hostels in England for Backpackers and Students

The Best Hostels in England for Backpackers and Students
London | Brighton | Manchester | Liverpool | Bath | Oxford | Newcastle upon Tyne | Bristol | Birmingham | York | Lake District | Chester

Travelers visit England for its interesting history, vibrant cities, and beautiful countryside. It'd be easy to fill weeks exploring London, if you had the time, but once you're outside of the city you can exploring the charming towns and natural beauty that the country has to offer.

England is not a cheap country to visit, and accommodation is no exception. Hostels usually offer the most affordable option for budget travelers. In most tourist destinations you'll have at least a couple of places to choose from. The prices are often higher than some places in Europe and the quality can vary.


An affordable hostel for backpackers, students, and budget travellers in London, England.

Dorm Bed from $32.35
Private Room from $46.22
Overall Rating: 88%
51 Grove Road Bow, London
Park Villa is a boutique style hostel in the old East End of London. It's located in a Georgian Regency villa and it has a lot of character and charm. Although it is a bit removed from some of the main tourist areas, it is connected to public transit.

The hostel offers a basic breakfast for guests. There's also a small refrigerator and a combination microwave, grill, and oven that guests can use. If you want to relax for a while there's a television room and a lounge area. Laundry facilities are also available.

The hostel has private twin rooms as well as four, five, six, seven, and eight bed dorms. Each dorm has bunk beds that have a bit of privacy between them.

If you're looking for an affordable and pleasant place to stay in London, then Park Villa is a unique option. It feels safe and secure and it has a welcoming environment where you can be assured a good nights sleep.


An affordable and quiet hostel for backpackers and students in Brighton, England.

Dorm Bed from $27.05
Private Room from $37.19
Overall Rating: 94%
36 Waterloo Street, Brighton
Seadragon Backpackers is a very small hostel in a Regency building. It's a charming place to stay that is clean and welcoming. There are just six guest bedrooms to choose from - a double room, four dorms with four beds, and a twin room. The beds are comfortable and solid.

The hostel has a small basement kitchen that has basic amenities. There's also a small lounge area where guests can hang out, watch television, or enjoy a good book. There's a breakfast served every morning that includes eggs, cereal, bread, and tea or coffee.

If you're looking for a small but charming place to stay, then this is it. It's reasonably priced and comfortable, and the staff can help you with anything that you might need.


A quiet and safe hostel for backpackers, students, and small groups of friends in Manchester, England.

Dorm Bed from $33.81
Private Room from $18.03
Overall Rating: 86%
Potato Wharf, Manchester
YHA Manchester is one of the more popular hostels in Manchester. It's a bit more expensive than you might pay for an equivalent hostel in a different city, but it is one of the better options in Manchester. The rooms are clean and comfortable, the staff are helpful, and the amenities are decent. The hostel is also in a good location near some of the city's best shopping, nightlife, and museums. It's near the canal and has a bar and restaurant where guests can hang out. There's also a terrace area.

The hostel has all of the standard amenities available including wi-fi (which can be a bit unpredictable or unreliable at times). The dorm rooms sleep up to four people and are split by gender. There are also four bed, co-ed, private rooms available.


An affordable and fun hostel for backpackers, students, and solo travellers in Liverpool, England.

Dorm Bed from $47.34
Private Room from $43.28
Overall Rating: 41%
1 Falkner Square Toxteth, Liverpool
If you're looking for a relaxing and social place to stay in Liverpool, then Embassie Liverpool Backpackers is a good option. The hostel is in an old Georgian building that dates back to the 1800's. It's a bit of a walk to the center of town, but it is walking distance.

The hostel has a charming atmosphere where you can meet other travelers or chat with the staff about things to do around town. There's a tv lounge where guests can hang out and light snacks are available throughout the day.

The hostel staff also host different theme nights which offer a fun opportunity to hangout and meet other guests. There are football nights, Beatles nights, quiz nights, and more.

The hostel has dorms that sleep up to ten or twelve people. There are female only, male only, and co-ed rooms available.


An affordable hostel for backpackers, students, and small groups of friends in Bath, England.

Dorm Bed from $27.05
Private Room from $11.27
Overall Rating: 87%
Bathwick Hill Somerset, BA2 6JZ, Bath
YHA Bath is an affordable and comfortable option for budget travelers. It's walking distance from the center of town but be prepared to climb a hill. There are buses available, which are particularly helpful if you're arriving with a lot of luggage.

The hostel is relatively quiet. There's a restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat during breakfast or dinner. There are private rooms available that include twin, four bed, and six bed options. There are also ten bed dorms for travelers who are on a tighter budget.


An affordable and fun hostel for students, backpackers, and solo travelers in Oxford, England.

Dorm Bed from $33.83
Private Room from $45.11
Overall Rating: 90%
13 Park End Street, Oxford
Central Backpackers is a popular place to stay in Oxford because of its convenient location and social atmosphere. It's located near many bars, clubs, and shops, but this central location also means it can be a bit noisy late into the night. Ear plugs are recommended. It's also about a five minute walk from the bus and train stations and close to Oxford's Castle as well as many other tourist destinations.

The hostel is a social and fun place to stay where it's easy to meet other travelers. The staff can answer any questions you might have. There are also a variety of amenities available to guests including free wi-fi, public computers, a shared kitchen, laundry facilities, a television room, a roof top terrace, and more.

The hostel has a wide variety of dorms available that sleep anywhere from four to twelve people.


An affordable hostel for backpackers, students, and solo travellers in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Dorm Bed from $26.98
Private Room from $37.73
Overall Rating: 81%
51 Grainger Street, Newcastle upon Tyne
Albatross is a popular hostel in Newcastle upon Tyne. It's an affordable and centrally located place to stay that is comfortable and clean. The layout of the building can be a bit inconvenient, but the actual location is good. It's located in the city center and is walking distance to many entertainment venues, food markets, art galleries, and tourist attractions.

The hostel has a wide variety of dorms available including four, six, eight, ten, and twelve bed rooms. There are both co-ed and female only rooms to choose from and twin private rooms are also available.


An affordable hostel for backpackers, students, and budget travellers in York, England.

Dorm Bed from $20.29
Private Room from $11.83
Overall Rating: 95%
Water End, Clifton North Yorkshire, York
If you're looking for an affordable place to spend a night or two in York, England, then the YHA York is a decent option. It appeals to a wide variety of travelers and you can expect a diverse group of people in your dorm. It's also located a bit outside of the city center, which can be inconvenient at times.

The hostel has a quiet atmosphere. It's a large facility with a lot of different rooms, so it can feel a bit like a hotel at times.

If you're only going to be in town for a night or two and don't want to spend a fortune or stay near a noisy bar, then this is a good option.
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The Best Hostels in England for Backpackers and Students | Budget Your Trip

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