Backpacking at a traditional English pub
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Many of England’s beloved pubs were once Inns with a few rooms for rent to travellers. Most pubs lost their traditional Bed and Breakfast services as hotels began to appear.So it’s surprising to find a number of traditional English pubs are returning to their original glory in the form of friendly backpacker hostels.
One such hostel is the White Ferry House pub near Victoria Station in London. Built in 1898 it still has it’s original features and saloon bar. Situated between two converging roads it stands alone in a residential area of London and hasn’t lost any of it’s original charm.
In fact it’s been lovingly restored and even the local residents that frequent this establishment agree it’s much improved since it was opened as a hostel in September 2009.
A complete hostel
As a hostel it has everything you need. 73 beds over 6 rooms with impressive triple bunk beds in the dorm rooms that are more comfortable and less scary than you’d first think. The rooms are bright and airy thanks to Victorian architecture where big windows were the fashion. The rooms still retain their original features too with decorative ceilings, cute Victorian fireplaces and big solid doors. It’s actually a breath of fresh air to be in a hostel with so much character as many modern hostels are plain, basic and uninspiring.
The pub!
The great thing about having a hostel above a pub is the pub itself. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first booked as the idea of a bunch of backpackers invading a local pub and it’s local characters seemed odd. On the contrary the mixture of local Londoners enjoying a pint along side backpackers from all over the world is a great site. The staff are very friendly and helpful and know most of the regular punters who are happy to chat with travellers and share their local knowledge. I really enjoyed the cosy pub atmosphere in the evening.
Breakfast is included of course, as is the wifi, the movie nights, the lockers and luggage storage, the karaoke nights and vouchers for local pubs and attractions you get when you check in. It’s a very active hostel which is always good to see. I’ve stayed in a few around the world that do very little to interact with their punters and I’m glad the centre of attention here is the socialising in the pub rather than a TV pacifying the backpackers.
I had an enjoyable stay in a cosy, charming and friendly English pub. This isn’t the only pub / hostel in London either. There’s also The Green Man near Paddington Station and The Steam Engine near Waterloo Station. It’s a great concept in a world where most hostels are bland and boring. Worth checking out.
You can book a bed at the White Ferry House online now
Thanks to the friendly staff at The White Ferry House.
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By Matt Preston
The co-founder and editor of the online magazine and community site, Travel with a mate. Matt is a social media guru, organiser of international travel meetups, web developer for some great travel brands and photographer.
What do you think? Post your comments
cck says:
“most hostels are bland and boring” Really? I guess I'm travelling on another planet.
Travel With a Mate.com says:
In terms of interior decoration most large hostels these days tend to have plastic chairs, neutral coloured walls and a big TV to keep the guests sedated. I've yet to find a hostel that could accommodate so many yet be so quirky and original as this place. But that's just my experiences of course.