Ah, Cornwall – the place of classic English summers and 99p Flake ice creams on the boardwalk. Every Brit will have their own tales to tell of a summer getaway in Cornwall. Camping, chilly sea swims and crazy hay fever, epic memories all round!
Cornwall is HUGE, made up of many different areas including Newquay and St Ives with both seashores and countryside.
A great spot to try out classic English living, the southwestern tip of the country oozes good ol’ British vibes.
Try out some solo travel around the quaint towns and scenic countryside, staying in some of the great hostels in Cornwall. You are in for a treat!
Quick Answer: Best Hostels in Cornwall, England
- Best Overall Hostel in Cornwall – St. Christopher’s Inn Newquay
- Top Hostel for Solo Travellers in Cornwall – Newquay International Backpackers
- Best Cheap Hostel in Cornwall – Holifield Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Cornwall – Breakers Guesthouse
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Cornwall – Cohort Hostel, St Ives
What to expect from Hostels in Cornwall
When you are exploring solo, staying in a hostel rather than a hotel is a much more social experience – and cheaper! Cornwall hostels are spread across the county with sea views, or sprawling country surroundings.
When you’re visiting Cornwall, you’ll find all sorts of different hostels. There are party spots, surf focused hostels, and private rooms for a more peaceful stay.
Luckily, most hostels are focused on being affordable while still offering a high value. The general rule is: the bigger the dorm, the cheaper the nightly rate. If you go for a private hostel room, you’ll end up paying a bit more, but it’s still more affordable than any of the hotels you will find in Cornwall. On average you can expect to pay:
- Private Rooms: £69 – £98
- Dorms (mixed or female only): £19 – £40
When looking for a hostel, you’ll find most Cornwall hostels on HOSTELWORLD. There you can check out photos, detailed information about the place and even reviews from previous guests. Just like other booking platforms, each hostel will have a rating, so you can easily pick out the hidden gems! Most of the hostels in Cornwall can be found near Newquay, in the heart and soul of the backpacking and surfing scene. You can also check out these three neighbourhoods:
- St Ives – This vibrant and busy seaside town is also where you can excite your senses and dine on some of the best seafood in the UK.
- Newquay – Newquay has long been a popular seaside tourist resort. Known for being a great surfer spot.
- Truro – Truro is the only city in Cornwall!
You can work out where to stay in Cornwall ahead of your trip to be in the best place for everything you wanna do – be it surfing, partying or enjoying local English life.
5 Best Hostels in Cornwall
Cornwall really has something for everyone. It is a surfer’s paradise, family dream getaway and young explorers first adventure from home. For an affordable and comfortable stay, check out these hostels in Cornwall!
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1. Best Overall Hostel in Cornwall – St. Christopher’s Inn Newquay
- $$
- Located in Newquay
- Free Wifi
- Bar/Restaurant
With a mantra like “Sleep, Surf, Rave, Repeat” St Christopher’s Inn Newquay is the best hostel in Cornwall for those craving a summer of surfing. Overlooking Towan Beach, it is just steps from the shore and close to restaurants and bars – though they have one onsite too! After a busy day in the sea, you can come back and have a delicious meal without heading too far.
You can base your entire Cornwall adventure from the hostel with surf lessons, an onsite bar, bar crawls and a super central location. Perfect for a first time trip to Newquay, or a recurring yearly holiday, at St Christopher’s Inn Newquay you will feel right at home with the selection of dorm and private rooms.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Outdoor terrace with rugged coastline views
- Discounts on food
- Nightly pub crawls
All of the bed options at St Christopher’s Inn Newquay include bed linen, and free cancellation. Each is as comfortable as the last, so you can recharge and explore Cornwall all over again the next day.
This Cornwall hostel promises a classic, British seaside holiday experience with beautiful beaches and scenery all around. Cosy up on the outdoor terrace to watch a magical sunset over the sea, and dig into hearty burgers before enjoying Newquay’s nightlife.
2. Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Cornwall – Newquay International Backpackers
- $
- Located in Newquay
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Free breakfast
A solo traveller is never solo for long, especially when staying in hostels. Newquay International Backpackers is an amazing hostel in Cornwall where fellow backpackers can get together, share stories and head out to explore Cornwall.
Situated right in the heart of Newquay, the location is ideal for visiting some of the beautiful beaches in the area including Fistral Beach and Towan Beach. You’re literally within walking distance from some of the best surfing beaches in the UK!
The hostel has a secure lock up on site for surfboards and wet suits, so no worries keeping your gear safe. There are also so many bars and restaurants close by, you can party down after tackling the waves.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Surfboard and wetsuit storage
- Lounge and dining area
- Super fast, free Wifi
If you’re travelling around the UK, you’re probably being a little money conscious (why is everything so expensive these days?!), the communal kitchen at Newquay International Backpackers makes it easy to keep costs down by preparing your own meals, while also mingling with other guests.
There are a few different dorm rooms to choose from, as well as a couple of private options if you have the cash. Each comfortable and spacious, you can cuddle up for a restful night’s sleep – or drunken slumber – before more exploring and sampling Cornish delicacies like a traditional Cornish pasty (drool).
3. Best Cheap Hostel in Cornwall – Holifield Hostel
- $
- Located in Helston
- Free WiFi
- Dorms only
Located in Helston, just an hour’s drive from Newquay and St Ives, Holifield Farm Hostel is a country escape. The classic country property is filled with shared dorm-style rooms, large communal lounge and all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay. With lots of walking trails nearby, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and luscious nature.
Much different from the party and surf hostels on the coast, Holifield Farm Hostel has a more family feel. In a great location, surrounded by countryside, it is a beautiful space to have a getaway with your friends and family. The hostel prides itself on its holistic and inclusive ethos, with a focus on sustainability and community living. A super special hostel in Cornwall, you are in for an unforgettable experience.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Focus on sustainability
- Set in beautiful countryside
- Community vibes
Keep your costs down and make a new friend or two in the communal, vegetarian kitchen preparing meals from the fresh produce found on site! You can explore the vast 32 acres of land that the hostel sits on. Near the Gweek Valley in Helston, Holifield Farm Hostel is a great location to explore places like the Tremenheere sculpture garden and the rest of Cornwall.
For a chilled country getaway, you can’t find a better location. An affordable and comfortable accommodation, the hostel provides everything you need for a relaxing stay whether solo or with friends and family.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. Best Hostel for Couples in Cornwall – Breakers Guesthouse
- $$
- Located in Newquay
- Dorms rooms and private options
- Bar
Cornwall is a great place to visit for a romantic getaway with your partner. It has a little bit of everything – beaches, countryside, beautiful scenery. For a comfortable, private stay, Breakers Guesthouse is a top hostel in Newquay.
Although it is a hostel, it has a lot of private options for having your own space with your loved ones. You can choose from an ensuite room or shared bathroom, with varying options of full sea view or partial. Spend your days taking romantic strolls along the rugged coastline, popping into the quaint local businesses and exploring the top attractions of the town.
Solo travellers are also welcome. There is a selection of dorms, or you can splurge on a private room alone. Have fun partying up a storm in the Newquay nightlife, before crawling into bed in the early hours. Just be sure not to disturb your hostel mates!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- On-site bar
- Outdoor patio
- Close to Fistral Beach
Breakers Guesthouse has an onsite bar where you can lounge with your partner after a day of venturing around Newquay. You can look over the sea and catch a beautiful sunset, mingling with the other guests and lighting up the BBQ for a feast.
Centrally located and close to public transport, it’s super easy to get out and about to see Cornwall’s amazing sights. For any kind of traveller, Breakers Guesthouse is an excellent accommodation.
5. Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Cornwall – Cohort Hostel, St Ives
- $$
- Located in St. Ives
- Free WiFi
- Dorm rooms and private options
Cohort Hostel is located in beautiful St. Ives, within a repurposed school building with great spaces for travellers who need to have some laptop time. It’s been completely modernised with spacious dorm rooms and lots of amenities to make your stay comfortable.
There are dorm rooms as well as a selection of private spaces including a double room and family room. An ideal space for all kinds of Cornwall explorers, each of the beds and rooms are clean and comfortable with shared bathrooms and home comforts. There’s free WiFi throughout the hostel, making it a perfect pick for digital nomads.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Close to Land’s End
- Family rooms for larger groups
- Large communal lounge area
Cohort Hostel is super centrally located in St Ives making it easy to hit the top attractions. There are a ton of places to eat and awesome things to see like the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Land’s End in just a short walk!
The private courtyard is an excellent spot for setting up your laptop in the sun, and mingling with other guests from the hostel. There is also a bar, snack bar and shared kitchen available to make an afternoon snack. As one of the top hostels in Cornwall, Cohort Hostel is the best for digital nomads.
More Epic Hostels in Cornwall
Not happy with the choices on offer? Make sure you know what kind of travel needs you have in order to find the perfect place for you! Below we’ve got a couple more top hostels in Cornwall coming for you!
6. Blue Room Hostel Newquay
- $
- Located in Newquay
- Free breakfast
- Free parking
Blue Room Hostel in Newquay has loads of different types of dorm rooms to suit everyone’s preference. There are female-only rooms, mixed rooms, 10-bed, 6-bed and 4-bed rooms, and a budget double room available! Wow!
There is a lounge and bar area for mingling with the other guests when you aren’t out enjoying the beaches and amazing surroundings of Newquay.
An option for budget travellers who want to be in the heart of town with plenty of things to do, Blue Room is a great place to stay.
7. Edens Yard Backpackers
- $
- Located in St Austell
- Close to the Eden Project
- Eco hostel/bunkhouse hybrid
A cute and cosy spot for a cheap stay, Edens Yard Backpackers is a hidden gem hostel in Cornwall. Located near the Eden Project, it is an interesting, cultural area with lots to do! The hostel itself is super friendly and comfortable with a selection of hostel rooms and all the amenities you need to prepare your own meals – or homecooked meals are available upon request.
There are a lot of different cycling tracks and walking trails close to the hostel, including a 60 mile cycle lane that’ll take you all the way to Land’s End!
If you are tight on the purse strings but still want to get out and explore Cornwall, Edens Yard Backpackers should be your hostel of choice.
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What to Pack for your Cornwall Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Travel Safety Tips for Cornwall
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Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Cornwall
The different kinds of hostels in Cornwall make it a great destination for guests looking to have a fun, affordable, English trip. These hostels provide a comfortable base, whether you’re headed off to surf the north shore or looking for a stopover on your Cornwall road trip.
If you’re still unsure which hostel in Cornwall is best for you, stop your search and check out St. Christopher’s Inn Newquay. With an top location, free cancellation and superb amenities, you really can’t go wrong no matter what your travel plans!
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