Meet the Team
All lovers of the Lakes, we’re here to help you:
Antony
Antony brings a rich and varied background to Elterwater Hostel, having started his career in hospitality as a chef and hotel manager before moving into children’s services and leading several charities as CEO.
Originally from Cambridgeshire, he recently relocated to the Lake District with his wife Jennie and describes his return to hospitality as a full-circle moment and a dream opportunity.
A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Antony is passionate about the landscapes, people, and experiences that make the Lakes so special. He’s excited to build on the hostel’s strong foundations and ensure it continues to offer a warm, memorable stay for all.
Andy
Andy has been with us for over a decade.
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.
Charlie
Charlie has been with us in Elterwater for more than 10 years 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.
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.
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 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
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.
Dinner is served 🍽️
Join us from 6–8pm for a relaxed evening meal, with everything from Cumberland sausage & mash and chilli (beef or 5 bean) to curries, pasta, quiche and 12” pizzas.
Fancy something lighter? We’ve got soups, toasted sandwiches & baguettes too. And don’t skip dessert… sticky toffee pudding is calling 👀
Non-residents welcome – come in, grab a table, and enjoy!
New breakfast menu now being served! 🍳☕️
Join us daily from 7:30–9:30am for everything from a hearty Cumbrian breakfast or veggie Fell Walker, to pancakes, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches.
Pair it with our fresh bean-to-cup coffee for the perfect start to your day.
Non-residents welcome – pop in and enjoy!
We’re delighted to share that we’ve been awarded a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-star Food Hygiene Rating! A huge thank you to our fantastic team for their hard work and commitment to maintaining the highest standards.
We’re also excited to introduce our refreshed dining experience, with new menus and a more relaxed, café-style approach. You can now enjoy:
🥐 Breakfast served between 7:30am – 9:30am
🍽️ Evening meals available from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
It’s all about great food in a more casual, welcoming setting.
Keep an eye out for more posts coming soon as we showcase our new menus… we can’t wait for you to try them!
A fantastic effort from Jen and Rich, completing this year’s first Elterwater Hostel 23 Before Tea round in 8 hours 35 minutes.
The day was also a recce for Jen’s planned attempt to break the female record later this year — so watch this space.
Best of all, they were welcomed back to the hostel with tea and sticky toffee brownie, which sounds like just about the perfect finish.
Well done both!
#ElterwaterHostel #23BeforeTea
Bring your group together around the breakfast table!
There’s something special about starting the day with good friends, good food, fresh coffee, and time to connect before the day’s adventures begin.
When you stay with us as a group, you can add our buffet breakfast served in a relaxed space to gather and plan the day ahead, perfect for walking groups, school trips, retreats, corporate teams, or friends exploring the Lakes together. Fuel up, slow down, and start the day right together.
Get in touch to add group breakfast to your booking!
Part 3: The Reveal
And here it is…..
Our new reception, bar servery and refreshed lounge/dining space are complete and we couldn’t be happier with the result.
Lighter, warmer colours, a more open layout and a calmer, more relaxed atmosphere from the moment you walk through the door.
It’s now a space to check in, grab a drink, sit back, and feel at home.
We’d love to know what you think and even better, come and see it for yourself.
Post 2: The Build, From idea to reality
With the old reception removed, work began on creating a new modern, multi-functional space – bringing together reception, bar servery and a more open connection to the lounge and dining area.
Behind the scenes there’s been a lot of careful planning, building (and a fair bit of dust!) as the new counter took shape. Every decision was about making the space more practical for our team and more welcoming for our guests.
Nearly there…
Refurb Part 1 - The Strip Out!
Big changes start with brave decisions… and this was one of them.
We’ve said goodbye to our original reception cubicle to make way for something much more open, flexible and welcoming.
It’s served us well over the years, but it was time to rethink how this space works for our guests today.
This was the first step in transforming our reception and lounge into a place that feels warmer, more relaxed and better suited to how people really use the space.
Watch this space 👀
We are very pleased to be ranked 1st in TripAdvisor top 5 Hostels in the Lake District.
With an average 4.9 out of 5, based on around 375 reviews,
Small, friendly and tucked away in one of the prettiest valleys in the Lakes, it draws rave reviews for its “relaxed”, “homely” feel and “big breakfasts”.
In November, one reviewer gave the hostel a five-star rating on TripAdvisor. “Excellent venue for outdoor activities,” they said.
“The hostel is clean, well-equipped, comfortable, warm, and all the staff are welcoming and most helpful.”
Read the whole article here:
https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/25809020.best-hostels-lake-district-ranked-tripadvisor/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1769961366
Think hostel food = sausage & mash? Think again…
Our GM may say he’s a great chef…
…but after this 40th birthday feast, we’re inclined to agree 👀🔥
🥩 Tomahawk steak
🍖 Lamb rumps
🥔 Dauphinoise potatoes
✨ Very happy guests
Got a group staying with us? Fancy something a bit special?
We love an excuse to get creative in the kitchen
Happy Birthday Alfred Wainwright
A man who shaped how we see and walk the Lake District, with a legacy deeply rooted in the Langdale Valley.
His love for the fells lives on in every path explored and every quiet moment enjoyed.
At Elterwater Hostel, we’re proud to be part of the landscape he inspired so many to cherish.
Cold, snowy days here in the valley but that hasn’t stopped us cracking on with a big project behind the scenes.
Lots of hard work happening despite the weather and it’ll all be worth it.
Keep an eye out for updates coming soon…
