Chapter 5 - Accommodation
Lands End Accommodation - A personal recommendation
I have recently found a Hostel just 1/4 Mile from Lands End called, not unsurprisingly, Lands End Hostel.
The Hostel is an independent hostel run by David and Susie and ideal for starting or finishing your ride. Its sleeps up to 12 in 3 x 4 bed dormitories, has a small fully equipped kitchen if you wish to do your own catering, and Susie will provide breakfast baskets should you want them. There is ample parking and a cycle shed.
I took the opportunity to visit the hostel on a recent trip to Cornwall and can confirm it looks superb. Spotlessly clean with a warm welcome. Feedback from travellers so far has been good so well worth considering.
At the time of writing (August 2011), a Costcutter convenience store and an excellent Fish n Chip shop are a short distance up the road in Sennen Village should you need to source your own food.
Finding Accommodation
Their are many businesses and individuals who offer accommodation options that could be useful to you whilst cycling the End2End. The options range from campsites, Independent hostels, YHA and SYHA hostels, B&B's, hotel's and so on. What's available to you will depend on how rural your route is and how many of you there are. I have had recommendations from individuals which I've listed to get you started, failing that it's a case of trawling the Internet.
Below I have given some links to sites that may help you in locating accommodation that best suits your needs.
www.syha.org.uk/Hostels and Budget Accommodation Booking Service: Hostels and Budget Accommodation Worldwide
Youth Hostel Association: www.yha.org.uk/
Scottish Youth Hostel Association:
Bed and Breakfast Accommodation: www.bedandbreakfasts-uk.co.uk/
Campsites:
www.ukcampsite.co.ukTripadvisor:
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/PremierInn:
www.premierinn.com/Travelodge:
www.travelodge.co.ukBed & Fed www.bedandfed.co.uk
The following have been recommended to me by various individuals. These are offered in good faith so please make your own checks before booking as I can't be held responsible if the establishment has changed hands or is now not what it was.
| Area | Description | Contact Details | Comments |
| NATIONWIDE | |||
| Nationwide | Campsites | http://www.louisebarrett.co.uk/campsites.pdf | Louise Barrett used these sites on her team LEJOG in August 2011. In her words "None were rubbish" See Louise's blog |
| Nationwide | Campsites | http://adventure-eyes.com/#/adventure-eyes-monster-ride/4554072314 | The Adventure Eyes Team list of campsites they used on their August 2011 route. All recommended |
| ENGLAND (Listing South to North) | |||
| Lands End |
Lands End Hostel Accomodation |
http://www.landsendhostelaccommodation.co.uk/ |
Ideally located at just 1/4 Mile from Lands End,
David and Susie have just opened the Lands End Hostel. Susie says .... "To date we have already had small groups of cyclists use the hostel and the feedback from them has been quite outstanding. They also mention how good it is to be staying so near to the start or the finish....." As I was in Cornwall last week I visited Susie, David and the bunkhouse and can confirm it looks superb and indeed is as close to lands End as they say. Book in advance though as its already booking up fast! Highly recommended!
|
| Bristol | B&B | Stablegrove B&B in Wrington south of Bristol |
"best B&B I've ever stayed at, thoroughly
recommend it."
LEJOG cyclist, David McCusker, Aug 2011
|
| Shropshire | B&B |
Wytheford House, Fismes Way, WEM, Shropshire,
SY4 5YD. Special LEJOG rate:-
I will be very happy of offer a reduced rate for under 16's staying with an adult/s. For further details or if you would like to book a room, please contact Frances through www.bedandfed.co.uk . (See Accommodation: Shropshire).bedandfed advertise a variety of accommodation throughout the UK.
|
Wem is a small North Shropshire Town and an ideal
stop-over for cyclists and walkers or can offer a perfect base for exploring
in all directions. You'll find peaceful countryside and a unique landscape
of sandstone hills, meres and mosses and the four pretty market towns of
Ellesmere, Whitchurch, Market Drayton (and Wem). The accommodation offers a large studio annexe room to the main house and has ensuite shower room, fridge, tv, complimentary refreshments, toaster, wi-fi and ample parking and bicycles can be locked up safely (and kit washed)! The room has one large double bed and two singles and is ideal for a family or for a group of friends sharing and are seeking a more affordable alternative. Wem has a range of local pubs and eating places. However, with prior arrangement, a delicious home-cooked dinner can be provided.
|
| Shropshire | YHA |
|
"Impressive and great food"
LEJOG cyclist, David McCusker, Aug 2011 |
| Shropshire | B&B |
Penn Peel Cottage B&B (01939) 290260 www.pennpeelcottagebekdandbreakfast.co.uk info@pennpeelcottagebedandbreakfast.co.uk
|
FROM THE OWNERS: "A delightful country cottage dating back to 1860 and one of Britain's Finest providing 4* accommodation. Luxurious self-contained ground floor ensuite rooms with their own entrances and seating areas, guest lounge, dining conservatory, private parking & free Wifi Lockable storage and laundry facilities too. Rooms have lcd tvs with freeview, dvd, usb & radio, vaulted ceilings, comfortable beds, soft towels, dressing gowns with slippers, essential kits, luxury toiletries, shoe shines, chocolates, garden bird guides, fresh flowers & country views. Situated on a quiet lane on the outskirts of the rural village of Bomere Heath. Located 4 miles north west of Shrewsbury, just off the A528 towards Ellesmere/Wem. We are also easily accessible to Oswestry, Chester, North Wales, Ironbridge Gorge, Church Stretton, Bridgnorth and Ludlow. Excellent ratings given by guests and we are one of the top B&Bs in Shropshire - Trip Advisor. We had a number of cyclists here last May/June who enjoyed their stay and our secure facilities, not to mention our locally sourced breakfast!"
|
| Shropshire | Campsite | http://www.milebankfarmbandb.co.uk/ |
Feedback from the Adventure Eyes team who stayed
here in August 2011 is that the couple that run the Mile Bank farm campsite
are planning to section off an area for LEJOG/JOGLE cyclists and erect a
special signpost etc.
|
| Carlisle | Hotel | http://www.ibishotel.com/ |
"Good value" LEJOG cyclist, David McCusker, Aug 2011 |
| Carlisle | B&B |
01228 523500 Ashbourne House |
Recommended by Ian
Shingler, Aug 2011.
On main A6 into, and close to town, excellent value for money, lovely breakfast and bikes stored in locked rear yard.
|
| WALES | |||
| Chepstow | B&B |
Nick & Jen Chateau Terrace 46 bridge Street
|
Recommended by Ian Shingler, Aug 2011.
Very friendly,lovely breakfast,great view of castle,over friendly dog plus bikes locked in basement |
| SCOTLAND - (Listings South to North) | |||
| Galloway | Mongolian Yurt! ... no really! |
Galloway Activity Centre
|
"Interesting!" LEJOG cyclist, David McCusker, Aug 2011 |
| Kendoon IDumfries) | Accommodation and refreshments |
Our web site is www.carricksofcarsphairn.com,
accessed via visitscotland.com and
is about to be updated. In lieu of Kendoon YHA there is a B&B near by known as Kirkholm and can again be found through visitscotland.com
|
Linda Szafran says "We offer good food at reasonable prices, a cheery welcome and lovely scenery; more than enough to entice people in! People can ring in advance and book what they want to eat to save time when they land!!" |
| Kendoon (Dumfries) | Accommodation | Lochken Bunkhouse | As Kendoon YH is no longer owned by the SYHA and as far as I know has effectively closed, Dave Barker @cavingdjbarker (thanks Dave) has forwarded this link for alternative accommodation in the area |
| Glencoe | B&B |
Callart View
01855 811259 |
Recommended by Ian Shingler, Aug 2011.
3 miles from the south Ballachulish. Fantastic value for money, will do evening meals, Lovely views, worth the detour |
| Lairg | B&B |
Ambleside 01549 402130 |
Recommended by Ian Shingler, Aug 2011.
excellent, good value for money,did packed lunch for next day
|
| Sutherland | SYHA | Helmsdale SYH |
"Best YH on trip" LEJOG cyclist, David McCusker, Aug 2011 |
| Brora, A9 North of Dingwall | B&B |
Pandora's bed and Breakfast (next to Pandora's shop) Victoria Road Brora KW9 6QN 01408 622562
|
Dale stumbled across Pandoras B&B on his LEJOG in March 2011. He says "Being early in the season most B&Bs were not open or full. We stumbled upon a small B&B (just 1 room with double & single bed). They were so hospitable and friendly. The beds were very comfortable - prob the best on the trip. The breakfast was what you would normally expect in a high class hotel rather than a £25pp a night B&B. Quite easily the nicest place you are likely to find. |
| Altnaharra (Lairg) | B&B |
http://www.altnaharra.net/
|
An alternative accommodation stop to Carbisdale YHA is in
Altnaharra. The Altnaharra Bed and Breakfast has been recommended in 2010 by
Twitter users @cyclingbob1 and @cminors.
|
YHA League Table, our own experience.
Please note, Chester YHA has now closed.
Well as we travelled the length of the British mainland, staying mostly in YHA, and SYHA as we went, I thought it would be a good idea to rate the hostels we stayed in using, what else, (as they seem to be all the rage in the Labour Government at the moment), but a League table.
I have marked each hostel out of 10 on the following factors: -
Welcome - How efficient were the wardens on our arrival, and how much of a welcome did we get.
Location - This is based on a scenic point of view so the country ones will score highly here.
Warden - Friendliness and general helpfulness of the warden(s)
Cycle facilities - How good were the cycle facilities from an undercover and security point of view
Self Catering kitchen - Was the kitchen adequately equipped
General - This is really how we felt about the hostel taking everything into account.
|
Rank |
Hostel |
Welcome |
Location |
Warden |
Cycle |
SC |
General |
TOTAL |
|
1 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
57 |
|
|
2 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
49 |
|
|
3 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
48 |
|
|
4 |
9 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
47 |
|
|
5 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
43 |
|
|
6 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
39 |
|
|
7 |
Hostel now no longer part of YHA and "returned to landowner" Alternative accomodation here |
6 |
9 |
2 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
35 |
|
8 |
2 |
7 |
1 |
7 |
7 |
3 |
27 |
|
|
9 |
Hostel only opens udring University holidays |
4 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
9 |
3 |
21 |
|
10 |
Hostel now CLOSED |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
18 |
|
11 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
17 |
Comments
Very well deserved, Tongue is at the top of my league table here with both a stunning location and wardens who couldn't do enough for you, closely followed by Slaidburn, Bridges and Lochranza. Lochranza would have scored higher if it hadn't been for the warden's attitude who seemed to treat his guests like children.
Middle table Glencoe, Golant and Kendoon. Glencoe was just very busy, Golant suffered from lack of organisation and a very poor breakfast (I didn't have food as a category as the SYHA don't do hostel meals), whilst Kendoon being in a wonderful location suffered from a warden who had nothing to do and wanted to keep it that way.
Bottom of the table and up for relegation Loch Ness that despite being right on the shore of the Loch I rated low as one warden was disorganised , whilst the other treated the hostel as a prison camp and hence sucked out what atmosphere there could have been. Carlisle, very impersonal and in a noisy part of town and cycle security that didn't give us any confidence. Chester, again very busy and suffered particularly from lack of organisation (they gave us a key to somebody else's room) and catering staff who treated you like an inconvenience and couldn't wait to close up. Tough luck if you get there after 7:30PM! Carbisdale, what a shame! Could be the SYHA jewel in the crown but instead is suffering from lack of maintenance and hands on care of the wardens.