Stayed at this hostel for an overnight as part of a weekend walking holiday. I haven't stayed in a hostel before but this was the preferred alternative to camping. My expectation weren't too high but their internet site led me to expect better than we received. At £20ppn it wasn't as dear as a hotel but with 2 of us sharing a room it equated to the price of a travel lodge.

We arrived and found you can't park in the yard where the hostel is situated as there is politics with the neighbours. We parked in the hotel car park next door and ate there so didn't feel too guilty but I'm not sure the hotel would approve (there is no connection with the hostel and the hotel other than location but the meal in the hotel was beautiful for the record).

No one in the "staff" (I think there were three really welcomed us or introduced themselves but one of them checked a book and showed us a room and took our money. Speaking to other walkers who were staying we surmised that the owners was away and had left three people in charge who seemed to live there rent free.

The room we were shown to had a bunk bed in it and a small table and chair. The bunk was a double on the bottom and single on the top and head room for the top occupant was a bit close for comfort. Linen was supplied and appeared to be clean enough and I had forgotten a towel and one was supplied on request. Both myself and my friend were tired and found no problem getting to sleep so no real complaints about the comfort of the bed. The room next door seemed to have two single beds. There were no locks on any of the doors and there were no en suite or other washing facilities in either room we saw. The rooms opened into a common area with tv and kitchen with books and board games.

Apart from the welcome (or lack of ) from those running the place everything about it from the entrance yard to kitchen was untidy. Not sure about cleanliness as we weren't in that long to really judge.

There was a single bathroom serving the two rooms plus possibly the other rooms that seemed to be in an upstairs loft conversion. It was in definite need of a makeover and my evening shower was with cold water as all the hot had been used.

I wasn't expecting much but this failed to live up to even my lowest expectations. I wouldn't go back. The web site says it is the friendliest hostel with en suite and shared facilities this is very debatable and the photo was obviously of a different part to the bit we stayed in (there was another building attached) . The other residents we spoke to said it was the worst and most expensive hostel they had ever stayed in. I hope this is the case as I'm hoping to do a bit more backpacking and if this is the standard of backpackers places I'll be looking for an alternative even if it is slightly dearer.

In summary it is not welcoming it is untidy you will likely receive a very small room and have to share a reasonably clean but very dated toilet and shower with several other people. It is too dear for what it is. By the way we could have had a cooked breakfast for £7.50 which would take the price to £27.50- the rather nice looking hotel next door where we got a superb meal started B & B from £35 - not much of a difference!

I will not be going back to the Braveheart.