Why stay in York?
York is far enough north in England that many visitors who concentrate on London and its surroundings never even make it up there - but they are missing out on a beautiful city with a history that dates back to pre-Roman times. The city of York boasts beautifully preserved architecture, a gorgeous cathedral and more festivals throughout the year than you can shake a stick at. It is an easy city to visit for a long weekend, and well worth the break from London. Sitting roughly halfway between London and Edinburgh, it also makes a great stopping point en route from one to the other.
Perhaps because it is not the popular destination that London or Edinburgh are, there are not many hostels in York. There are a few guest houses, however, which might provide something more like a bed and breakfast experience for a reasonable price. Also remember that "hostels" are not only for the young or the backpacking crowd (even if the property has the word "backpacker" in the name!) - they're perfect for budget travelers who are interested in meeting other travelers. A few York hostels worth mentioning are highlighted below.
YHA York is not party central, but it is close to the city center. It offers both single sex dorms and private rooms. York Backpackers is in a Georgian mansion a short walk from the train station. York Youth Hotel has large shared dorms, smaller dorms and twin rooms and is a four-minute walk to the city center.
If none of these hostels sounds like it's the right one for you, don't worry. There are other York hostels listed here which you can choose from. Just keep browsing the descriptions until you find the one that suits your needs.
Need anything else for your trip? You can look for the best deals on cheap airfare to England and book your ticket now. You can also learn more about the area in our York Travel Guide.