YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe

2 nights camping on the lawn of the hostel with full use of the facilities via key card access to the buildings. Friendly, chatty, helpful staff with everything you’d expect from a YHA hostel in a superb location. Well maintained and clean throughout.

I visited YHA Grasmere as wanted to stay the evening as was pressed for time, I was informed the location was booked for a private function I asked if I could use the toilet quickly as desperately need to relieve myself, the female reception rolled her eyes at me and did not appear to want to even allow me to use the toilet but did, I used the toilet and when I tried to wash my hands, the tap came off in my hand, It was broken and had been placed precariously on top, there was no sign not to use it or to inform that it was broken, I washed my hands but would not turn off the tap so reported it to the reception who again rolled her eyes and said "you turned it on?" She seemed annoyed that I had done this, I told her "well yes, I used the toilet and wanted to wash my hands" she walked off in a huff and I left, I will NEVER return to this YHA and would definitely NOT recommend this YHA to anyone, the receptionist attitude did not reflect well on YHA and was a very Stark contrast to YHA Borrowdale

Came up for a meet up with friends for some walking on the surrounding fells. Arrived about four and the carpark was full and like an ice rink. Waited a few minutes and thankfully some day walkers on their last day came and took their cars away. Checked in and happily I was in the main house. The rest of the group was already there and so it was odd for drinks and food. It's been a few years since I've been to this hostel as my Wainwright journey has had me in different areas. Looks like the communal areas have had a fresh paint job which has brightened up the building. Had breakfast twice which was excellent. Made my own on the last morning and the smaller kitchen was in desperate need of a mixing bowl. Other than that no issues. All in all a great stay and I look forward to another visit in March. Hopefully room 7 is my room again on that visit.

Just had a brilliant 3 night stay at Butharlyp Howe and only bad thing was not being able to stay longer. Staff were friendly/helpful and room was great. All facilities very clean and tidy. Location is faultless - just a short stroll from the village and a great start point for walks like Easedale Tarn and over to Great Langdale or shorter strolls like Ambleside. Would recommend the breakfasts which are tasty (especially the veggy sausages) and hearty and very good value.

The hostel is a great size and is spotless. The staff are great, friendly and professional. We were signed in by Emily who was very helpful. The carpark is not next to the hostel, it is about 3-4 minutes walk. You can run your stuff up but it is a pain trapsing down to the car in the rain when you’ve forgotten something. There are 2 self catering kitchens. A very small one in the main building off the dining room and one in the annex a minutes walk away. They lock the door to the dining room at 7 and they don’t advertise this on the door so if you put anything in the fridge in the small self catering kitchen and you want to access it later on you can’t. The kitchen in the annex is adequate but due to a mistake with the keyfob we weren’t able to access it the following day and had to walk back to reception to get the key fob redone. The hostel is very clean and spacious. The drying room is great. Free laundry facilities. The lounge is a good size and there is also a TV room. The hostel is on the lane up to Easedale tarn and there is tons of walks from the door. Helm Crag and Loughrigg Fell for example. All pretty easy half day walks. We found the hotel bar 1769 to serve awesome food. Look out for red squirrels everywhere round the hostel and in the village. Get some gingerbread from the wee shop, it’s delicious.