Meet the Team
All lovers of the Lakes, we’re here to help you
Nick (MBE)
Nick has served as manager at the hostel, originally for the YHA, since the early 90’s having previously worked 6 years at the YHA hostel in Kendal. Nick is a keen walker, cyclist, open water swimmer, triathlete, photographer and rock & winter climber, none of which he is actually any good at! He has recently acquired a love of paddleboarding.
Nick has been heavily involved with the local mountain rescue team for more than 30 years and team leader since 2005. His services have been recognised on a number of occasions and in 2022 he received the OWPG Golden Eagle Award for “Outstanding Services to the Outdoors”. This has been capped with an MBE award in King’s 2023 New Years Honours.
Having lived in the area for such a long time, he knows the hills and surrounding area very well, and is happy to share his knowledge with guests and visitors.
Charlie
Charlie is in her eleventh year at Elterwater and loves her life in this beautiful valley.
When not welcoming guests, cleaning, or rustling up a full English or a bit of flapjack for the hostel, she enjoys walking and mountain biking the fells with her partner Paul, or volunteering on the National Trust’s Steam Yacht Gondola and in Ambleside’s Oxfam shop.
Charlie is looking forward to another season at this special little hostel, to seeing old friends, and to welcoming new ones.
Andy
Andy, although the newest member of the team, is entering is 7th year at Elterwater, so is hardly a newby!
He enjoys walking, running and riding all the trails he can find. The ability to end these adventures at a welcoming Lakeland watering hole makes him an admirable source of advice.
Pete
Pete joins the team on a regular basis helping during holidays and busy weeks. A keen walker, cyclist and traveller to far flung places, Pete is never happier than when taking photographs.
He has lived in the lakes for over 30 years and has a wealth of walking experience which he enjoys sharing with guests old and new to Elterwater Hostel.
Our very own History buff, can point you towards all the most interesting local historic spots.
Christine
Christine is one of the family owners, responsible for making sure the back office runs smoothly. Focusing on accounting and finance, the booking system and website, as well as driving the growth and improvement of the business.
Having been a keen hosteller in her youth she remains passionate about maintaining the business as a traditional hostel, accessible for single night stays and to enable people on lower budgets to maximise their experience in the Lake District.
Every now and again she is tempted to interfere with the day to day running of the Hostel, but usually beats a hasty retreat to leave things in the much more capable hands of Nick, Charlie and the team. Christine fell in love with Elterwater on her first visit (to the then YHA) in 1976 and comes back as often as time allows. You are more likely to come across her at the end of the phone which she answers remotely when Nick and the team are not around.
Passionate about improving the Hostel and providing the best base from which to explore the Langdale Valley, Christine reads each and every review and would love to hear your comments or suggestions at Christine@elterwaterhostel.co.uk.
Christine’s husband Alan and son Adrian (who took his first steps as a child in Elterwater), are also involved in helping run the business, while daughter Alison is a regular visitor and has been drafted in as extra support from time to time!
