Derwentwater Independent Hostel (Barrow House) is a beautiful Georgian house in the heart of the Lake District National Park, overlooking Derwent Water, and very close to the Cumbria Way footpath. A waterfall cascades through the grounds, and you can often see red squirrels, as well as a good variety of birds.

We are open all year, and our friendly staff, all of whom are keen walkers, welcome groups, families and individuals of all ages. With 88 beds across 11 bedrooms we can accommodate a variety of group sizes, in single-sex dormitories or private rooms, and there is plenty of space to relax or study your maps.

We offer delicious homemade meals and packed lunches, with good experience of catering for special diets and hearty appetites, but there is also a guest kitchen for preparing your own food and hot drinks, and we are only two miles from the pubs and restaurants of Keswick.

Facilities include: large drying room, table tennis room, a lounge with pool table and table football, small TV lounge, comfortable lounge with open fire and books, 60-seat dining room that can be used for meetings etc out of meal times, self-catering kitchen that seats about 25, 17 acres of grounds with mixed woodland and a hydro-plant, secure bike shed, plenty of parking space, a bus stop at the bottom of the driveway, and free Wifi.

The house has been in continuous use as a hostel since 1961, but we became independent of YHA in November 2011 and we are delighted that many people still come back year after year. You can now check availability and book via our website, but for group enquiries please give us a call or an email. We look forward to welcoming many more walkers to Derwentwater.