Situated in the Borrowdale Valley, in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Derwentwater Independent Hostel occupies a Grade II listed Georgian house, standing in 17 acres of grounds, with a beautiful waterfall, wildlife-rich woodland, and a large grass play area.
We became independent of YHA in November 2011, and today the hostel is managed by Tim Butcher as a UK registered charity and not-for-profit company, providing accommodation, room hire, and educational resources for individuals, groups and families.
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This is the view from the hostel terrace - we never tire of it! Hopefully we can welcome you here soon.
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Derwentwater Independent Hostel -
Looking down on the hostel -
A bedroom in the modern annexe -
Evening light on Derwent Water -
Barrow House in Spring -
Inspiring local walks -
Red squirrels can be seen in our grounds -
View of Derwentwater Independent Hostel from a kayak
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Spring-time view from Derwentwater Independent Hostel -
Room One, our largest dormitory -
Autumn colours by the waterfall
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A heron next to our waterfall -
Spectacular local walks -
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 -
Expedition Medicine training at Derwentwater Indepedent Hostel -
The dam of the hydro-electric plant in the Derwentwater Independent Hostel grounds -
Walking up the fells behind the hostel
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Castlerigg Stone Circle - a short walk from the hostel -
Ashness Bridge - at the top of the hostel waterfall path -
Mist on Derwentwater -
Keswick Launch on Derwentwater -
Clear night sky -
View of Skiddaw Range from Falcon Crag (above the hostel)
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Half way up Cat Bells -
Keswick Christmas lights -
Bluebells near Buttermere -
Many of our guests enjoy walking on the fells around Borrowdale -
Building shelters in our woodland -
Our groups often enjoy adventurous activities in the Borrowdale Valley -
Sunset from the terrace in April -
Some of the staff and volunteers with our giant Easter Egg -
The dining room decorated for a wedding in 2014 -
Conservation volunteers making a willow shelter in our grounds 2014 -
A local walk around Watendlath -
A close-up of the fireplace in Room One -
Gingerbread house in front of the real thing. -
Staff take an evening walk along the lake shore. -
A very calm day on Derwent Water. -
A Mandarin duck on the lake shore.
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York Rowing Club training on Derwent Water during their stay with us. -
Bugle flower in the hostel grounds
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Tea and cake in the servery -
Winter walking -
Wooden hands sculpture on west side of Derwent Water.