I have stayed at many YHA (Youth Hostel Association) hostels over the years. They are great for travelling on a budget and they also have ideal locations in the National Parks around the UK. But YHA Boggle Hole in North York Moors feels completely different to any YHA I’ve stayed in before.
It’s a combination of the remote location and the attention to detail. Even the self-catering kitchen felt more like my kitchen at home (except tidier haha). And I loved the little extras like homemade cakes and quirky characters hiding around the hostel.
And the little beach 30 seconds walk from the front door was a big bonus. Either way, I loved my stay at YHA Boggle Hole and felt very relaxed. Well, it was day 1 of my National Parks challenge, the hard part followed next!
YHA Boggle Hole Hostel
YHA Boggle Hole Address
YHA Boggle Hole, Mill Beck, Fylingthorpe, Whitby, England, YO22 4UQ
Location of the YHA
Situated furthest east of North York Moors National Park on the coast of the North Sea. YHA Boggle Hole is 3 miles from the small coastal town of Robin Hood’s bay (or a 1-mile walk along the coastal path). The larger town Whitby is about 20-minute drive away.
From the A171 the road is signposted to Boggle Hole. There is no car parking directly at this hostel so you need to park your car and walk 10 minutes downhill to the hostel.
Hostel Facilities
- Lounge and library/quiet area
- Self-catering kitchen
- Outside picnic benches
- Breakfast available
- Meals and packed lunch available
- Cosy licensed bar
- Homemade cakes
- Free Wi-Fi
- Coastal location with beach
- Bedding included and towels available to hire
Options at YHA Boggle Hole
Dorm rooms (single sex only)
Private rooms (1-6 people)
Family rooms (2-6 people)
Prices at Boggle Hole
- Dorm rooms from £25 per night*
- Private rooms from £30 per night*
- Family rooms from £29 per night*
Further discounts – If you become a member you can save £3 per night! Click here for annual membership information
*All rates correct at time of writing. For latest rates click here: Rates
About YHA Boggle Hole
Forget the traditional style YHA, Boggle Hole has its own personality and the accommodation is decorated to match, with light fittings and general marine nick-nacks scattered around the place. The cosy lounge area has a licensed bar and for those winter months when it gets chilly there’s a lovely wood burner to warm the room.
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But it’s more than just a pretty hostel. At Boggle Hole sustainability is very important to the on-going running of the place. The YHA used to be the second-highest user of LPG (liquid propane gas) with over £14,000 spent each year, wow that’s a lot of energy costs!
However, in 2014, YHA Boggle Hole won the top prize of £25,000 from Hostelling International’s Sustainability Fund. This money was put towards making Boggle Hole a more eco-friendly site.
Now the majority of the electricity comes from the solar panels on the new Crow’s Nest. Predicted to cut CO2 emissions by a massive 56%. And on top, the Crow’s Nest has also been created to be super-insulated to reduce the need for further energy costs.
And this is the part of the hostel where I stayed!
Arrival and Check-in
A few days before I arrived I received a welcome email. All those useful bits of information that you’d normally be searching for. It included the address (kind of obvious), ‘Getting here’ – the all-important directions, check-in information and contact details.
The directions are easy enough to follow. There’s plenty of car parking spaces, even though they aren’t directly outside the hostel. It’s about a 10-minute walk down a narrow country lane (downhill which is always a bonus!). Fine in good weather but I guess not much fun if it’s raining. I’d recommend a good-sized rucksack instead of a suitcase, the road is flat but I think it’s easier!
Down the hill, your first view is a cute little beach looking out on to the North Sea. Across the little wooden bridge and the hostel appears nestled between the trees.
Check-in wasn’t that quick, there’s a queue as I seem to have timed my arrival with everyone else (check-in is from 15.00). Reception is also where they sell beers and cakes. I had to stand and wait next to a gorgeous choice of cakes, it was like torture haha! I realise why it’s taken longer when it’s my turn. I’m given detailed information about the hostel, including breakfast, dinner options. Plus an information sheet too with Wi-Fi details. There’s zero phone signal so you are also given details what to do in an emergency (basically wake up the on-site staff).
The hostel is great if you have a forgetful memory too with options to buy toiletries, padlock, various chargers and a torch. And you can rent a towel, hairdryer and an iron.
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The hostel Dorm room
After being given clear instructions on how to find my room, I manage to go the wrong way almost immediately. I’m staying up in the Crow’s nest so instinct tells me that up is the way to go. I climb the many steps to reach the new building.
There’s a small kitchen in the entrance area, with a sink, kettle and fridge (no cooking equipment) but handy for making sandwiches for your day hike. The main self-catering kitchen is off the lounge/bar area.
My room is down the end of the corridor. The room is clean and spacious. It’s a 4-bed dorm with a small sink and 4 giant lockers. I reckon I could fit in one of them if I tried. Don’t worry I didn’t though! The beds are made with the traditional bright green YHA bedding and a very thick duvet. Great in winter but I can imagine it being a bit warm in the summer months.
Each bed has its own light and charging point too. An essential item for a dorm room!
Down the corridor, there are shared toilets and separate showers. There don’t seem many but I never had to queue for them so maybe there were enough.
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Breakfast at YHA Boggle Hole
Breakfast is served in another one of the many social areas they have at YHA Boggle Hole. I opt for a full English (breakfast is £6.25 and £3.25 for children) and I’m really impressed. Delicious scrambled egg, good quality sausages… I can’t stand cheap ones. Yes, I’m a sausage snob!! The only let down is the apple juice, it’s been watered down and tastes like flavoured water.
There’s also yoghurt, fruit, croissants and cereal. As well as tea, coffee and water.
Overall thoughts on YHA Boggle Hole
I have been back home a few weeks now and I have recommended YHA Boggle Hole to several people already! It’s the perfect hostel for families, solo travellers and groups. I had a wonderful time exploring both directions of the coastal path that leads directly from the hostel. Will tell you more about my walks soon! Keep following me on social media or sign up for my newsletter.
Click here for gorgeous photos of North York Moors National Park
Did you know YHA was a registered charity?
Youth Hostel Association, known as the YHA is a registered charity. I’m embarrassed I didn’t know this. And I’ve stayed at a lot of YHAs in my time. Well, at least I’ve been supporting a charity all this time!
For more information on how to support YHA click here for details.
For further information or to book go to www.yha.org.uk/hostel/boggle-hole
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*I was a guest at YHA Boggle Hole on behalf of North York Moors National Park. However, all views and opinions are my own.
*Becky the Traveller participates in the Amazon Services Associates Programme, as well as other affiliate programmes. If you make a purchase through these, I earn from the qualifying links. This is at no extra cost to you. Read more here.