Next
These are the nearest places offering similar accommodation to ourselves.
For a more leisurely day`s walk, the gap can be partly bridged by taking the train - the railway closely follows the North Downs range of hills between Guildford and Dorking with a number of stations in-between.
Holmbury St Mary Surrey Hills
Roughly 13 miles (21 km) east of Puttenham, YHA Holmbury St Mary Surrey Hills stands in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the very edge of 2,000 acres of open access countryside and woodland. The youth hostel has large grounds, perfect for playing, relaxing and camping. It’s also ideally suited as a base to explore the Surrey Hills, or walk the North Downs Way and Greensand Way.
Littlehampton YHA Hostel
About 38 miles (60 km) south of Puttenham, for a family holiday in the South East try this cosy 4 star hostel. It is ideal with a bucket and spade for a Sussex seaside break. Just five minutes’ walk from a Blue Flag beach, YHA Littlehampton is part of the redeveloped Fisherman’s Wharf.
If you're only there for a weekend break, don't miss the Harbour Park Amusement Park. Head along the coast to Brighton, pay a visit to Arundel Castle or Arundel’s Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust for great days out. Chichester with its majestic Cathedral is some 20 minutes away.
Note: Tanners Hatch and and Littlehampton YHA hostels currently only offer the option of booking the entire hostel. Holmbury St Mary is also available for group bookings until 25 February 2024. (Information as of November 2023).
Gumber Bothy
We're extremely happy to say that Gumber Bothy on the Bignor Roman villa site near Arundel, West Sussex, has reopened. For more details email them at enquiries@bignorromanvilla.co.uk, or call +44 (0)1798 869259.
Gumber Bothy is a special kind of hostel, it has that traditional hostel charm reminiscent of days gone by. It provides simple, overnight accommodation or camping for walkers, horse riders and cyclists, just off the South Downs Way in West Sussex. There is no vehicular access to the site whatsoever for visitors, which makes Gumber Bothy the perfect tranquil place to escape to. Walk to Gumber Bothy, spend the night and then continue walking the next day. Camping is also available. (Information from Independent Hostels).
Friends of Nature
We're very happy to make space to mention our friends at Friends of Nature UK, with whom we have joined. They have a small but select group of houses around the United Kingdom, and the group strives to provide inexpensive hostel accommodation in beautiful countryside, with a strong green tourism and nature-friendly ethos.
Friends of Nature UK are also part of the global Naturefriends movement, which has some 800 houses around the world and has an ethos that is internationally, ecologically and socially minded.
The two closest locations are these:
Wetherdown
Court Hill
53 miles (84 km) from Puttenham and close to Wantage, the Court Hill Centre enjoys breathtaking views over the Vale of White Horse. In an idyllic rural setting, reclaimed barns surround a pretty courtyard garden on the site of a disused rubbish dump! It is an ideal stop for the Ridgeway Walker, as a base for local day walks and for cyclists and those interested in the countryside and ancient history. It is well suited to individuals, families and groups large and small.
Distances are calculated as walking routes for Tanners Hatch and Holmbury St Mary Surrey Hills, and as cycle routes for the others.
Hindhead YHA Hostel
We're sorry also to have to say that this wonderful hostel, also previously listed here, has now closed.