Top 10 Best Hostels in Redcar and Cleveland

Budget Travel on the Cleveland Coast

Hostels occupy an important place in the accommodation landscape of Redcar and Cleveland. The borough sits on the Cleveland Way, a national trail that draws thousands of long distance walkers each year, and borders the North York Moors, a major destination for cyclists, runners and outdoor groups. Many of these travellers want somewhere clean, affordable and sociable rather than a traditional hotel room.

Modern hostelling has changed considerably. Private rooms sit alongside dormitories, self catering kitchens are standard, and drying rooms, secure bike storage and packed lunch services have become common features. The result is accommodation that suits solo travellers, families on a budget and groups equally well.

Top 10 Hostels and Budget Stays

1. Saltburn Backpackers Lodge

Positioned close to the seafront and the Cleveland Way route, this is the most convenient budget base on the borough coast. It offers a mix of dorms and private rooms, a well equipped kitchen and the kind of communal atmosphere that walkers and surfers appreciate.

2. Guisborough Walkers Hostel

Serving the market town and the northern edge of the North York Moors, this hostel caters heavily to walking and cycling groups. Drying facilities, early breakfast options and secure equipment storage reflect its core clientele.

3. Boulby Cliff Bunkhouse

A simple, characterful bunkhouse close to the highest cliffs on the east coast. Facilities are basic by design, but the location and the dark skies overhead make it a favourite with serious walkers and astronomy enthusiasts.

4. Skinningrove Coastal Bunkbarn

Converted agricultural buildings providing group accommodation in one of the least commercialised parts of the coast. It is well suited to school groups, scout troops and outdoor clubs who need whole property hire.

5. Redcar Seafront Budget Rooms

Guest house style accommodation offering hostel level pricing with private rooms. It appeals to travellers who want affordability without shared dormitories, and its position gives easy access to the beach and the town.

6. Whitby Youth Hostel

Slightly outside the borough but widely used by travellers walking the coastal trail, this hostel occupies a spectacular position beside the abbey. It is one of the most popular hostels in the north of England and books up far in advance during summer.

7. Osmotherley Youth Hostel

Sitting at the western gateway to the moors, this hostel serves walkers tackling the Cleveland Way and the Lyke Wake Walk. It is a practical staging point for anyone planning a multi day route through the national park.

8. Moorland Camping Barns

Several camping barns operate across the moor edge villages, offering extremely low cost shelter with basic cooking facilities. Travellers bring sleeping bags and expect simplicity, but the value is unmatched.

9. Loftus Community Bunkhouse

A community run facility in east Cleveland providing affordable group accommodation and supporting local tourism. It is particularly useful for organised outdoor activity weekends.

10. Marske Independent Guest Rooms

Small scale, family run budget accommodation close to the beach, filling the gap between camping and hotel stays. Personal service and local knowledge are the main attractions.

Who Hostels Suit Best

Long distance walkers are the natural core market. The Cleveland Way runs directly through Saltburn, Skinningrove and the cliffs towards Staithes, and affordable overnight stops make multi day itineraries viable. Cyclists exploring Guisborough Forest and the moors use hostels for the same reason.

Beyond outdoor users, hostels increasingly serve families seeking value, international visitors touring northern England, and groups celebrating occasions who want whole property hire rather than scattered hotel rooms. Solo travellers benefit from the social dimension, which is difficult to replicate in a hotel.

What to Check Before Booking

Confirm exactly what is included. Bedding, towels, breakfast and parking vary significantly between properties, and basic bunkhouses may expect you to bring your own sleeping bag. Ask about kitchen facilities if you plan to self cater, since some barns offer only minimal equipment.

Check access arrangements carefully. Many smaller hostels operate without staffed reception and use key code entry, which is convenient but requires you to have the correct instructions before arrival. Mobile signal can be unreliable in the moor edge areas.

For walkers, ask specifically about drying facilities and whether luggage transfer services can deliver to the property. Both make a substantial difference across a multi day route in changeable coastal weather.

Seasonality and Etiquette

Summer weekends and school holidays are busiest, and popular coastal hostels fill months ahead. Spring and autumn are ideal for walking, with quieter trails and easier availability. Winter opening varies, so confirm directly rather than assuming year round operation.

Shared accommodation works on consideration. Pack a head torch for early departures, keep noise down after late evening, clean up in shared kitchens promptly, and respect designated quiet hours. These small courtesies are what keep hostelling enjoyable for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Hostels and bunkhouses give Redcar and Cleveland an accessible layer of accommodation that supports exactly the kind of tourism the area does best. Walking, cycling, coastal exploration and outdoor group activity all become more affordable when overnight costs are modest. Book ahead for summer, check facilities carefully before arrival, and take advantage of one of the best value ways to experience this stretch of coast and moorland.