Family stay at Snowdonia hostel highlights revival of British hostelling

A family stay at The Rocks hostel in Capel Curig, in the north‑east of Eryri national park (Snowdonia), underlined why hostels are attracting renewed interest by combining comfort with communal life. The trip began with an unlikely tip in the hostel kitchen about penguins on Moel Siabod, and that sort of word‑of‑mouth recommendation shaped daily plans more than guidebooks or internet searches.

Initially met with scepticism by some family members, the stay settled into a rhythm of daytime mountain walks and relaxed evenings at the hostel. The Rocks is described as bright and stylish, with Scandi‑style furniture, a warm shared lounge fire, outdoor firepits and a snug private family room with comfy mattresses and Welsh woollen blankets.

Guests swapped tips and recipes in communal spaces — from a backpack‑friendly “mountain doughnuts” recipe to advice on thermal gloves — while children made instant friends; there was also no pressure to socialise for those who preferred privacy. After a difficult few years through Covid, hostelling is enjoying what the piece says is a quiet revival.

According to Sam Dalley, founder of the Independent Hostels network, “hostelling is in better health than ever. People want inexpensive stays where mingling is part of the adventure.

Key Topics

Culture, Capel Curig, Moel Siabod, Snowdonia, Sam Dalley