YHA South Downs - Hostel offers a peaceful rural getaway with a garden, library, and bar. Enjoy convenient laundry facilities and free self-parking, making it easy to focus on your stay.
Located in Lewes, YHA South Downs - Hostel is in a rural area and in a national park. Newhaven Ferry Port and Seaford Head Gold Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Brighton Pier and Cliffe High Street. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at American Express Stadium or Arlington Stadium. Visit our Lewes travel guide
At YHA South Downs - Hostel, you can look forward to a coffee shop/cafe, a garden, and a library. Free WiFi in public areas is available to all guests, along with a bar and a restaurant.
Additional perks include:
Free self parking
Full breakfast (surcharge), outdoor furniture, and 1 meeting room
Luggage storage, a TV in the lobby, and secured bicycle storage
More conveniences in all rooms include:
Showers and soap
Communal kitchens, heating, and limited housekeeping
Daily full breakfast available 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM for a fee: GBP 10.95 for adults and GBP 5.95 for children
A bar/lounge
A coffee shop/cafe
A restaurant
Snack bar/deli
Things to do
Bicycle storage
Books
Games
Library
TV in common areas
Family friendly
Snack bar/deli
Conveniences
Luggage storage
Vending machine
Guest services
Housekeeping (once per stay)
Business services
Meeting room
Outdoors
Garden
In a national park
Outdoor furniture
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
No elevator
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
More
Communal living room
Smoking not allowed
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Food and drink
Shared kitchen access
More
Heating
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 5 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open Sunday to Thursday (7:30 AM – 10 AM), Sunday to Thursday (3 PM – 10 PM), and Friday to Saturday (3:00 PM – 10:30 PM)
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
All adult guests are required to present a valid government-issued photo ID card at check-in.
The name and address on the booking must match the photo ID presented by the guest at check-in. This property does not accept name changes for existing bookings.
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
Fee for full breakfast: approximately GBP 10.95 for adults and GBP 5.95 for children
Towels fee: GBP 3.50 per person, per stay (or guests may bring their own)
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
Special cancellation policies or charges may apply for group reservations (more than 8 rooms for the same property / stay dates)
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Please note that this property does not charge an additional temporary membership fee. Discounts are not available for members of YHA (England and Wales) or IYHF as part of this booking.
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
National rating
This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitEngland, the National Tourist Board for England.
Property is also known as
YHA South Downs Hostel Lewes
YHA South Downs Hostel
YHA South Downs Lewes
YHA South Downs
YHA South Downs - Hostel Lewes
YHA South Downs - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
YHA South Downs - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Lewes
Frequently asked questions
Is YHA South Downs - Hostel pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at YHA South Downs - Hostel?
As of Mar 15, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at YHA South Downs - Hostel on Mar 18, 2026 start from CA $45, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
Self parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at YHA South Downs - Hostel?
Check-in start time: 5 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM. After-hours check-in is not available.
What time is check-out at YHA South Downs - Hostel?
Check-out is at 10 AM.
Where is YHA South Downs - Hostel located?
Situated in a national park, this hostel is within 6 mi (10 km) of South Downs National Park, Newhaven Ferry Port, and Seaford Beach. Newhaven Fort and Glyndebourne Opera House are also within 6 mi (10 km). Southease Station is only a 3-minute walk.
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Reviews
YHA South Downs - Hostel Reviews
8.4
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Right on the South Downs trail, close to a train station or by car. Staff was friendly and nice, and the food was great. I really liked their morning English breakfast
We loved our x2 night stay in an en-suite room in the long barn. YH combines a peaceful countryside location with everything needed for a comfortable trip. Walked to nearby villages and caught the train from Southease station to get further afield. Staff were really helpful and we enjoyed eating at the cafe during our hassle-free visit.
It is absolutely unique in its proximity to Southease railway station on the line between Seaford and Lewes/Brighton and its access to the South Downs Way voa the pedestrian footbridge over the A25.
Stayed here whilst walking the south downs way. Food was very good both evening and breakfast.
Beds very uncomfortable, plastic matress makes you very hot.
Quite noisy as near main road and unmanned railway station next to it means trains use their horns everytime the pass.
Charge 4* hotel prices for private room with a bunkbed.
the power supply stopped as circuit breaker tripped at around 22:00 .... the electric roof window cannot be closed leaving the room suffered from extremetraffice noise throughout the night. all bedside lights and wall power sockets failed.
Great location, could be improved with better mgmt
Beautiful location with lovely views from the garden. Very convenient for Newhaven ferry and for walking on the South Downs.
Welcome at check in was not great. Two staff members ignored us whilst taking their time to finish their conversation first.
Lack of attention to detail. Light fittings had dozens of dead flies. Not cleaned for months. One ceiling light in our private room did not work. Also one of the bedside lamps didn't work.
Bath screen allowed the shower to leak all over the floor and corridor carpet. Bathroom floor was dirty. Kitchen had a faulty cooker.
Several spiders in the bathroom and bedroom.
We had dinner at restaurant and food was excellent. Such a shame that 3 staff members were chatting with each other and loudly berating previous clients while we were eating. Not a nice atmosphere, unfortunately.
Staff were fabulous. Room was good. The road noise was bad , I had read on previous reviews, and even the ear plugs they very thoughtfully provided couldn’t block it out.
A beautiful place to stay, the staff were friendly and the rooms were clean. It was really useful that there is a very nearby train station. I enjoyed exploring the incredible nature surrounding the hostel, but a trip into the city was made easy too. I definitely reccomend and i'll be back next time i'm in the area
The stay was very good overall for the price. Staff were friendly, the hot full english breakfast was really good, the room was ok all be it a bit on the small side and is just a bumk bed with nothing else, a little table or a stool would have been uswful. The sheets were clean and the beds comfy, only thing was its right next to the road and the cars going by are loud however they did put a pair of ear plugs in the room although this was more for if people snored.
Comfortable,spotlessly clean room. Nice firm matress.
Cheerful andvery helpful staff.
I slept very well but my wife was disturbed by traffic noise from the road to Newhaven.
Amazing value for money.