Hostels in West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire, a metropolitan county located in the region of Yorkshire in England, is a beautiful place to visit if you're looking for a break from the heat. It enjoys an oceanic climate that is cooler than other counties in the South thanks to its inland location and high elevation. Snowfall is common in West Yorkshire. This charming county has a mix of lively cities, industrial towns and fascinating villages. There is always something to do here, such as visiting museums and galleries in metropolitan cities, enjoying cycling on pretty Pennine trails, or going to visit the country villages and vales. There are many affordable backpacker and tourist hostels in West Yorkshire, and although you can try to get a place to stay once you arrive, it is better to book a hostel ahead of time because of the many like-minded tourists.

Leeds is an ideal place as a base in West Yorkshire. It is widely known for its shopping venues, bars, museum, galleries, war memorials, towers and stadiums. Leeds will cater to all your needs, whether you love arts, cricket, shopping or partying. If you love outdoor activities, then Leeds offers a variety of bicycle routes where you can cycle around the city or even head outskirts to Saltaire, an historical village and UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way there, you get to visit the ancient Kirkstall Abbey and the Leeds Industrial Museum, which is located in a giant mill. Stop off and check out the City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds which houses some of the BBC’s longest running variety shows. You can enjoy live performances from world famous artists and even win a prize by participating in a fancy dress competition there.

Haworth is another beautiful place to visit in West Yorkshire. You can enjoy the Bronte Parsonage Museum, Bronte Waterfalls and Bronte Bridge, all of which are named in honor of the famous writer, Charlotte Bronte. You can also explore the stunning countryside of Bronte village on a heritage train ride. Hop on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway for a popular 5-mile journey across the picturesque countryside. The railway also holds numerous events throughout the year such as evening tea events and annual beer and music festivals.

Be sure to visit Calderdale if you are a music lover. Calderdale houses a variety of inspiring music venues such as gigs, back alley pubs and concert venues. The Puzzle Hall Inn at Calderdale is famous as a live music venue where you can find musicians of all genres including jazz, folk and punk. There are also various music festivals held throughout the year, catering to almost every taste in music.

If you want to enjoy a secluded holiday, head to Bradford where you can explore the rugged moors on your own. You can also go on a guided cycle tour to explore the amazingly scenic English countryside. Bradford is popularly known as the curry capital of Britain as it houses a large number of historic and contemporary Asian curry houses. Stay over at a hostel here and enjoy the World Curry Festival, which is an annual event in Bradford.

Handwritten by local expert for West Yorkshire hostels Joy Barboza