Introduction

If you natural spot is ideal for Coast to Coast walkers and nature lovers who are not afraid of going back to basics. Guests can enjoy fantastic views over Steeple and Pillar, a walk to see the junipers through the wild Ennerdale valley or a walk up to the High Stile Ridge and Haystacks.

We aim to cater for the needs of all visitors in this 24-bed hostel; a 2-storey building located at the heart of the Ennerdale Valley. We have one ground floor room. Unfortunately none of our bedrooms or bathrooms is accessible to modern standards. We look forward to welcoming you.

Pre-Arrival

The nearest rail station is Whitehaven which is 13.6 miles away.

There is no bus service which runs to the hostel. The closest bus link is in Kirkland (approximately 4 miles away).

A local taxi company can provide accessible taxis when booked in advance. Please see the contact information section for more details.

The roads approaching the hostel can be steep and are often narrow. They are surfaced with tarmac, but there is no pavement or street lighting. The last three miles are an unsurfaced forest track with potholes. The maximum speed along this road is 15mph. The road is suitable for smaller cars and non-4x4 vehicles.

Car Parking and Arrival

There is parking space for twelve cars on site, the closest space being just a few metres from the main entrance. There are no marked bays, but we would be happy to reserve a space for you. The car park slopes down towards the hostel and is surfaced with loose gravel, YHA (England & Wales) Trevelyan House, Dimple Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3YH Tel. +44(0)1629 592 700 www.yha.org.uk 2

Due to protective measures from the Forestry Commission, only one car can be taken up to the hostel, any additional cars can be parked at Bowness Knott (3 miles) or Bleach Green (4 miles).

From the car park there is a sloped, loose gravel path with a step down to the hostel entrance. If you let us know what time you are coming we will do our best to provide assistance moving to and from cars.

Main Entrance and Reception

To enter the hostel there is a small step threshold through a manual, single leaf door which opens inwards into the porch. From here there is then another single leaf door which leads through into the reception lobby.

The floor in the reception area is level and surfaced with lino. There is a portable induction loop available on request. The corridor here is too narrow to allow for seating; however the lounge is adjoining this area and there is plenty of seating available here.

Public Areas

Halls, Corridors and Stairs

There is good colour contrast to floor, walls and doorways throughout the building. All public areas, halls, stairs and landings are well lit using a combination of ceiling and wall lights. The corridor flooring is carpet on the first floor.

Unfortunately there is no lift at YHA Ennerdale, so access to the first floor is by stairs only. The stairs are carpeted and have a handrail to one side. There are 14 steps to the first floor.

Common Room

The common room is located on the ground floor and has level access from the reception lobby via a single leaf door. This space comprises our lounge and dining room. The floor is level and surfaced with wood effect laminate. The room is bright; lit by natural light in the day and ceiling lights at night.

There are comfy armchairs and coffee tables, along with dining tables and straight backed chairs without armrests. All furniture can be moved; please just ask at reception if you require assistance.

Table service is available; please ask at reception and we will be happy to help. We are also happy to cater for dietary requirements or any particular likes or dislikes. Please advise us of these before your arrival. 3

Self-Catering Kitchen

The self-catering kitchen is located on the ground floor and has level access from the common room via a single leaf door. The floor is level and surfaced with non-slip lino. The room is well-lit with ceiling lights.

The self-catering kitchen contains two domestic sized cookers, a large fridge-freezer and a range of kitchen utensils, crockery and cutlery. The sinks are fitted with lever taps. Crockery and some kitchen equipment are kept in high shelving units. We would be happy to move these to lower storage if required. Drying Facilities The laundry room is located on the ground floor. To reach it there is a level threshold through single leaf door from the common room and then through a second single leaf door, with a step, out to the covered veranda. There is then level access across the concrete veranda and in through another single leaf door with step.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

All rooms contain a washbasin and bunk beds. Unless otherwise stated, none of the bedrooms are en-suite. All bedrooms are carpeted and well-lit with ceiling lights. All bedding is provided.

All of the bathrooms have LED lighting and non-slip flooring. The standard showers have a step up to enter.

Ground Floor

One 4-bedded en-suite room

First Floor

Two 4-bedded rooms

Two 6-bedded rooms

Two WCs

Four showers

Additional Information

We do not permit pets, but assistance dogs are very welcome.

We do not permit smoking anywhere in the hostel.

A member of staff is always available on site, at night (access via emergency phone at Reception).

Braille signs are fitted on room doors and corridor doors

Emergency lighting and fire alarms fitted.