I’ve found the UK’s best cheap family stay – with a free planetarium, award-winning attraction & £38 rooms for 4 people
THE Sill at Hadrian's Wall has been named hostel of the year by the Youth Hostel Association and, having stayed there last Easter, it's not hard to see why.
Despite being in the heart of some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK and surrounded by historic sites, it's actually the facilities right on the doorstep that make it the perfect place for a budget break.
The purpose-built hostel, set in the heart of Northumberland National Park, shares a building with the award-winning National Landscape Discovery Centre, with free interactive displays, a lovely little playground and a walk-on living roof covered by native plants with views out over the Roman wall.
Taking a stroll up the gentle slope of the roof to look out over one of our national treasures was a highlight of my visit.
Follow a winding footpath down the side of the hostel to find the neighbouring pub and planetarium, which shows free family films about space over the winter months.
We loved our visit to The Space stargazing centre at Twice Brewed Inn, and now families can enjoy a free planetarium visit at 4.30pm on weekdays, with paid-for shows at weekends and in the school holidays.
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You can combine it with some pub grub for the perfect family evening out.
And the Sill is even on a tourist bus route, which means you can get to all the visitor sites nearby without ever pulling on walking boots, if you don't fancy trekking over hills and scrambling over Roman roads.
Vindolanda, Housesteads and the Roman Army Museum are all within walking distance, but at least you can catch the bus back if you've had enough of exploring by foot.
The hostel itself is a brilliant base for families, as it's clean, modern and well-designed, with helpful staff on hand to offer advice about visiting the surrounding area.
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There's a self-catering kitchen and also the option of buying meals if you don't fancy cooking.
Sun Online Travel have found overnight stays for a family of four from £38 per night per room.
This works out to £9.50 per person per night.
Rooms with a private ensuite bathroom cost a little more at £42.75 per night.
Kielder Forest, Carlisle, Newcastle, Holy Island and Alnwick are within driving distance.
We had a lot of fun on a day out at the amazing adventure playground Lilidorei at Alnwick Castle, which is great if you're travelling with primary-aged children.
Although we loved our trip to Hadrian's Wall, it must have been tough choosing the hostel of the year from the many amazing places offered by the Youth Hostel Association (YHA).
We've had some incredible family adventures, including sleeping in a medieval castle at St Briavels in the Forest of Dean, a converted MoD site at Manorbier on the Welsh coast and a historic friary in Beverley, Yorkshire.
Whether you choose coast, countryside or city, you never quite know what you're going to find as every hostel is unique in both its building and its location.
And the Sill isn't the only hostel that's been winning accolades recently.
On my list to visit this year is YHA Pen-y-Pass at the foot of Yr Wyddfa () after it was named the best hostel in Wales two years running at the Hostelworld Hoscars Awards, which are decided by public vote.
YHA Borrowdale in the Lake District has been named hostel of 2025 in the Great Outdoors Awards, so there's plenty to choose from if Hadrian's Wall isn't on your bucket list this year.
But for me, I'm hoping to head back to the Sill as there's still loads to explore nearby.
It's the perfect little place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but with enough to do to keep all ages occupied.
Save on pricey accommodation with hostel stays
TRAVEL writer Catherine Lofthouse chooses to stay in youth hostels, praising their affordable prices.
We've clocked up at least a dozen visits to youth hostels across England and Wales in the last decade - and it's saved us thousands of pounds.
From city breaks to countryside cabins, there really does seem to be something for everyone at the Youth Hostel Association, which celebrated 90 years in 2020.
Lots of the hostels are in historic properties with big grounds that are often used to offer glamping and camping options nowadays.
We've been back to stay at YHA Stratford-upon-Avon most years since we first discovered its deluxe camping pods in 2016.
One of the best things about staying in a hostel is all the interesting people you encounter - we've met visitors from all over the globe who love a good chat.
And the volunteers and staff keeping the hostels running are also warm and welcoming, keen to share their enthusiasm for the local area.
You can get some incredible bargains at YHA, like staying in a
medieval castle in the Forest of Dean for £50 for a family of five or
spending less than £40 to overnight near the historic city of Chester
during school holidays.
If you've got anyone aged under 26 in your party, you'll get an
automatic five per cent discount and YHA members get another 10 per cent off on top of that.
Last year, travel writer Catherine Lofthouse revealed the little-known way to save hundreds on attractions in England.
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Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse has also used Blue Peter Badges to save hundreds of pounds on family days out.
