YHA Ravenstor

Very friendly staff Great service, very kind and friendly check in. The rooms are simple and you have to pay for the towels, but then again- the price of accommodation definitely justifies the payment for extras. Has a bar, open until 11pm. And it is genuinely all you need for a night stay. Also offers breakfast, full english for £9.99. And it is perfectly located for the Monsal Trail and ither walks.

Great Place Fabulous Location I've stayed here a number of times because it has a great location for seeing the Peak District. Everyone is friendly and service is great. Don't expect a palace as this is a well loved and well used place.

Beautiful old character building and grounds. Very friendly and welcoming staff. The location is perfect for country walks including (David) Bellamy Bank and Monsal Trail. 15 minutes to pub but a good range for sale at reception. Highly recommended.

Lovely welcome, such a friendly hostel and would recommend.

A lovely old building in good repair and situated in a beautiful part of the Peak District. Monsal Trail and other walks within very easy reach, wonderful river walk just 5 minutes away at the lower end of the property through the wood. As with most old buildings, there's little sound insulation but, even with a party of kids staying, it wasn't as bad as some YHA hostels that I've stayed at. Ensuite room for one was adequate, shower pressure was ok and the room was clean and tidy. Staff were friendly and helpful, lots of leaflets around to read. I never eat YHA food, it's generally over-expensive for what it is (Chester Trafford being the exception, they were very good). Beltonville Farm shop and campsite was only a five minute walk away, open from 0900 to 1700 most days, later at weekends. Food there was very fresh and very tasty. Public transport was ok, one slow bus into Buxton early in the morning (65A) on weekdays and then faster but infrequest buses (65) in the weekday; Saturday and Sunday buses were about 0830/0840. Always check with Google Maps. Connection times for onward travel by bus varied from 50 minutes at Blackwell Turn for Bakewell and beyond, 5 minutes towards Tideswell and Sheffield. I largely found it easier to go straight into Buxton on the early bus, have a breakfast or breakfast bap and then jump a further bus at about 0920/0930. If you want to visit Chatsworth House, there's one direct bus on Sunday (about 1130) from Buxton and then one coming back (after 1500). Only one real issue during the stay: whoever brought in the yappy dog that barked CONSTANTLY from 0730 to almost 0900 on the Monday, leave it at home in future.

In a world of increasing price and decreasing trust - the openness of the YHA brand and its value is staggering. I’m very much middle aged now and feel just as welcome in a YHA that I did as a school kid. Until next time, hopefully this side of me hitting 50…