🇬🇧 Gloucester, United Kingdom
Youth Hostel
📍 St Briavels, Lydney GL15 6RG, UK
Your stay — Youth Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Gloucester.
The Property — Youth Hostel
Youth Hostel in Gloucester is a functional, no-frills base in a converted townhouse near the city centre. The lobby feels like a busy school common room, with noticeboards of local walks and a vending machine. It suits budget-conscious solo travellers or small groups who just need a clean bed and a self-catering kitchen. You won’t get charm, but you’ll get a safe lock-up and a decent breakfast for the price.
Chronicles of Gloucester
Gloucester began as a Roman settlement called Glevum, then became a key Saxon and medieval market town. Its Norman cathedral, begun in 1089, houses Edward II’s tomb and was used for Hogwarts corridors in the Harry Potter films. The city flourished as a trading port via the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, but declined in the 20th century. Today it’s a lively county capital with a thriving docklands regeneration, indie shops and a strong food scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Gloucester guide →Best months
May to September: warmest weather (17–22°C) and all tourist attractions open. July is sunniest, but August has the Gloucester International Jazz Festival.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak due to school holidays and the Jazz Festival. Hotel prices double; book months ahead. The Gloucester Quays designer outlet also draws day-trippers.
Budget shoulder season
April, October: temperatures 10–15°C, cheaper rooms (30–40% less than August), quieter streets. The April Gloucester History Festival offers talks and tours.
Weather & packing
Gloucester’s climate is notoriously damp, even in summer: expect rain within any dry spell. Pack a waterproof jacket and shoes that can handle a sudden downpour — leave the suede boots at home.
Live City Briefing — Gloucester
- The Gloucester Quays outlet has just opened a new food court with six street-food stalls, open until 8pm daily.
- Major roadworks on the A40 near the city centre are ongoing until summer 2027; allow extra travel time if driving.
- The Cathedral now requires advance booking for standard visits (free, but timed entry) — book online at least a week ahead.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Youth Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor at the back of the building, away from the street and lift, to minimise street noise and foot traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the reception, bar, or stairwell entrance — these are often louder and less private.
Best views
The best view is likely from a room facing away from main roads or car parks — ask for a rear-facing or courtyard view if available.
Quietest floors
Higher floors tend to be quieter, but anything above the second floor usually reduces street-level noise significantly.
🔊 Noise notes
Internal noise from corridors and slamming doors is common in older buildings; bring earplugs and request a room at the end of a hallway.
Insider tips
1. Book direct with the hotel for better upgrade or early-check-in chances. 2. Ask for a fan or quiet room if you're a light sleeper — not always listed online.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Youth Hostel
Free WiFi throughout; moderate speed (approx. 15 Mbps download); login via voucher from reception.
No lift; all rooms are on first and second floors via stairs only. Ground-floor accessible room available.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Small library of travel books in common room.
Check-in from 15:00; luggage drop allowed from 12:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 11:00 free, after that £10 per hour until 14:00.
Free luggage storage in locked room after check-out; collect by 21:00.
One ground-floor accessible twin room with wide doors and adapted bathroom. No lift; first-floor rooms require stairs. Main entrance has a ramp.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 'Gloucester Railway Station Car Park' (10 min walk): £6.50 for 24h. No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; £10 cash or card hold for key deposit at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Saint John the Evangelist (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Scott House Museum — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Living Wetland Theatre — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Welly Boot Land — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange desks at airports and tourist offices due to poor rates.
Contactless cards and mobile payments widely accepted; Visa and Mastercard are standard; Amex less common.
Restaurants: 10-12.5% if service charge not added; taxis: round up or tip 10%; hotel porters: £1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A filter coffee from a café chain costs around £2.50.
A supermarket meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink) costs about £4; a pub lunch is £8-10.
A main course at a standard pub or casual restaurant costs £12-15.
Gloucester Quays area has occasional market stalls and food trucks, but no permanent street food area.
Tesco, Asda, and Aldi are the main budget supermarkets in the area.
The Gloucester Quays outlet centre has discounted high-street brands; Primark on Eastgate Street is the cheapest for basics.
A single bus fare in Gloucester is about £2; day passes around £4.50. From London, take a National Express coach (around £15-20) rather than the train.
1. Eat lunch at pubs for cheaper versions of dinner dishes. 2. Use student or senior discounts if eligible. 3. Buy a day saver bus ticket if making more than two journeys.
Good to know — Gloucester
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
GloucesterFor non-emergency police matters, dial 101. The NHS non-urgent medical helpline is 111. From a mobile, 999 works. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use the emergency SMS service: text REGISTER to 999.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Gloucester, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Youth Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Heathrow Airport (Terminal 2 & 3) → Gloucester Transport Hub (bus station)
💡 Book online in advance for the best price; walk-up fares can double. The bus drops you a 10-minute walk from the Youth Hostel.
Gloucester Bus Station → Youth Hostel (opposite stop: Barbican Road)
💡 Buy a dayrider for £4.50 if using the bus more than twice. The hostel is just across the road from the Barbican Road stop.
London Paddington → Gloucester Station
💡 Use a railcard for 1/3 off. From the station, head south on Station Road then left onto Barbican Road – the hostel is a 15-minute walk.
Birmingham Airport → Youth Hostel, Gloucester
💡 Quote your flight number when booking – they monitor arrivals. Cheaper than London airport taxis; shared shuttles aren't available here.
Birmingham Coach Station → Gloucester Transport Hub
💡 Cheaper than the train but slower and less reliable—allow an extra 20 mins for traffic. The Hub is a 10-min taxi ride to Bowden Hall.
Heathrow Airport (LHR) → Tibbiwell Lodge B&B, Gloucester
💡 Pre-book online for a fixed fare; ask for a saloon car to avoid extra charges for luggage.
Bristol Airport (BRS) → Gloucester Bus Station
💡 Book online at least a day ahead for the cheapest fare; the stop at Gloucester Bus Station is a 10-minute walk to Watersmeet via Northgate Street.
Heathrow Central Bus Station → Gloucester Transport Hub
💡 Bus drops you at the Transport Hub; then catch the 10 or 11 bus to Saintbridge, alight near Tibbiwell Lodge.
Gloucester Railway Station → Watersmeet (Westgate Street stop)
💡 Buy a Stagecoach app day rider (£4.50) if you'll use buses twice—this short hop saves a taxi fare; alight at Westgate Street, then it's a 2-minute walk to the hotel.
Gloucester Transport Hub → Tibbiwell Lodge B&B, Saintbridge
💡 Get a day rider ticket for £4.50 if you plan multiple trips; stop is 'Tibbiwell Road' – the lodge is a 2-minute walk east.
Gloucester Bus Station → Central Hotel (Barton Street stop)
💡 Use the Stagecoach app for contactless payment; route 10 runs directly past the hotel.
Gloucester Railway Station → Bowden Hall Hotel (via Upton St Leonards)
💡 Bus 10 runs from Gloucester bus station (5-min walk from train station) to Upton St Leonards. From the stop, it's a 15-min walk uphill—take a taxi if you have luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Youth Hostel?
Request a room on a higher floor at the back of the building, away from the street and lift, to minimise street noise and foot traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Youth Hostel?
Avoid rooms near the reception, bar, or stairwell entrance — these are often louder and less private.
Is Youth Hostel noisy?
Internal noise from corridors and slamming doors is common in older buildings; bring earplugs and request a room at the end of a hallway.
Which rooms have the best views at Youth Hostel?
The best view is likely from a room facing away from main roads or car parks — ask for a rear-facing or courtyard view if available.
What are insider tips for staying at Youth Hostel?
1. Book direct with the hotel for better upgrade or early-check-in chances. 2. Ask for a fan or quiet room if you're a light sleeper — not always listed online.
What time is check-in at Youth Hostel?
Check-in at Youth Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Youth Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; moderate speed (approx. 15 Mbps download); login via voucher from reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Youth Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Youth Hostel?
A supermarket meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink) costs about £4; a pub lunch is £8-10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Youth Hostel?
A single bus fare in Gloucester is about £2; day passes around £4.50. From London, take a National Express coach (around £15-20) rather than the train.
When is the best time to visit Gloucester?
May to September: warmest weather (17–22°C) and all tourist attractions open. July is sunniest, but August has the Gloucester International Jazz Festival.
Top Attractions in Gloucester
💡 Skip the busy main nave on weekends; head to the cloisters early morning for near-silence and good light for photos. The Crypt café does a decent, cheap cuppa.
💡 Ask at reception for the key to the rooftop terrace — it’s usually unlocked, and gives a cracking view of the cathedral spire.
💡 Check the schedule for free guided tours; the crypt and Chapter House are often overlooked but worth a look.
💡 Visit at 3 PM on weekdays to hear the choir practice for free—it's quiet and atmospheric.
💡 The Roman and medieval artefacts are the highlight—ask staff to see the 'hidden' collection of carved stones in the basement. Free lockers for bags.
💡 Go at 3pm on a weekday to hear the choir practise in the quire — empty but for you and the voices echoing off the stone.
💡 Ask the warden about the 'crypt walk' – they sometimes open it up for a small donation.
💡 The Roman section has a 2nd-century tombstone found in the city—ask staff for the magnifying glass to see the carvings clearly.