We loved our trip to YHA Grinton Lodge so much that we decided we’d seek out another YHA on our recent trip to London. We plumped for YHA London St Paul’s, which handily enough, is a short walk from St Paul’s Cathedral. We had another good stay and we would highly recommend YHA to families like ours.
YHA London St Paul’s
YHA St Paul’s is on Carter Lane, a quiet relatively traffic-free street, yards from the famous cathedral. Honestly, the only downside was that on the first night, until I’d gotten used to them, the cathedral bells woke me nearly every single hour. The second night wasn’t so bad and I slept much better. The girls slept through both nights regardless. Oh to be seven again!
Our room was a four-bed dorm with a sink. We had booked it as a private room, so we had a spare bed. There was still arguing over who was sleeping where though. Typical.
The toilets and showers were not too far away on the landing. The room was clean and adequate for us. The charging sockets for each bed were most welcome.
The welcome from the staff was great, as always. The communal areas decorated in the style of YHA crossed with St Pauls/London. There was a TV lounge, and a restaurant.
The restaurant at YHA London St Paul’s
We ate breakfast in the restaurant both mornings. There is a buffet of cooked brekkie, and cols items such as yogurts, fruit and croissants. Hot drinks and juice were included. If you book breakfast when you book your room, you get it cheaper. We think that that YHA breakfast is awesome value, and not bad quality. The orange juice was rank, but no complaints elsewhere.
We used the YHA to sleep and eat breakfast. We could book in after 2pm on our arrival day, and we needed to check out by 10am on departure day. We used it as a base to explore London, taking the bus down to Trafalgar Square, or walking the short walk to the Millennium Bridge and strolling down the north bank of the River Thames. The surroundings of the YHA were lovely. There were a couple of delis/cafes, and a choice of tube stations (St Pauls, and Blackfriars were the nearest from what I could see).
The room was up stairs, as was the main front door. The YHA clientele were other families, foreign school groups, and single travellers. A friendly bunch. We had no bother with anyone else while we were there. We find YHA is very family-friendly.
Overall – we would come back here again. I’d probably bring ear plugs to get me through the first night, but great value, and a superb base for exploring London.
