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02 May 2025
Friday
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03 May 2025
Saturday
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2 Adults - 0 Child
1 room
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Hotel Description

When you stay at YHA South Downs - Hostel in Lewes, you'll be in a national park, a 4-minute drive from South Downs National Park and 9 minutes from American Express Community Stadium. This hostel is 13 mi (21 km) from Brighton Beach and 12.3 mi (19.9 km) from Brighton Pier. Make yourself at home in one of the 17 guestrooms. Prepare your meals in the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms with showers are provided. Featured amenities include luggage storage, laundry facilities, and a library. Free self parking is available onsite.

Hotel policies

No rollaway/extra beds available

No elevators

Professional property host/manager

Pets not allowed

Check-in from: 5:00 PM
Check-in by: 10:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out by: 10:00 AM

Cleaning and safety practices

  • Essential workers only - NO

Important information

Special Instructions
The front desk is open during the following times:
  • Sunday - Thursday: 7:30 AM - 10 AM
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Reception hours are 7:30-10 AM and 3-10:30 PM on Friday-Saturday. 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.
Instructions
  • 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
  • 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.
Minimal age
18
Optional fees
  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately GBP 6.75 for adults and GBP 3.50 for children
  • Towels fee: GBP 2.50 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.

Spoken Language

English

Amenities

Most Popular

Free WiFi

Parking available

Dining services

Concierge

Laundry

Entertainment

Non-smoking

Accessible facilities

Other

Breakfast available (surcharge)

Laundry facilities

Television in common areas

Garden

Library

Picnic area

Number of restaurants - 1

Number of meeting rooms - 1

Snack bar/deli

Free self parking

Number of bars/lounges - 1

Number of coffee shops/cafes - 1

Free RV, bus, truck parking

Books

Games

Vending machine

Outdoor furniture

Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

Secured bicycle storage

Hotel reviews

8.4
Excellent73 Verified Reviews
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Cleanliness8.8/10
Service8.6/10
Comfort7.8/10
Condition8.4/10
Neighborhood8.2/10
Amenities8.6/10
10/10
Exceptional
Mark, 15 Dec 2024
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Fantastic

Comfy, friendly, spacious, green!

10/10
Exceptional
Penelope, 05 Nov 2024
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Amazing breakfast. Great quality to start the day!

8/10
Excellent
Mike, 21 Aug 2024
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Ideal location when tackling the South Downs Way. Staff were very hospitable and helpful.

10/10
Exceptional
Peter, 28 Jul 2024
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Country comforts

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.

2/10
Poor
SUI PIK, 17 Jun 2024
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Traffic noise and power failure inside room

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.

8/10
Excellent
S, 14 Apr 2024
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Suitable room for 3

Beds OK and it was good to have an ensuite. Breakfasts very good and so was the evening meal, despite a long wait. Very convenient for the train.

10/10
Exceptional
Alexey, 03 Apr 2024
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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

8/10
Excellent
Steven, 18 Oct 2023
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.

6/10
Fair
Alan, 05 Jul 2023
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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.

10/10
Exceptional
Chris, 28 Jun 2023
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Friendly people, lovely room, great cafe, breakfast and supper, will definitely stay again. Thank you

6/10
Fair
CLAIRE, 29 May 2023
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Convenient but overpriced

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.

10/10
Exceptional
Jo, 28 May 2023
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Really convinient location for South downs way walk, very helpful staff, safe, clean and comfortable. Lovely setting and property.

10/10
Exceptional
Jorge Manuel, 26 Feb 2023
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Very well located and very comfortable rooms.

10/10
Exceptional
Stephanie, 24 Aug 2022
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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.

10/10
Exceptional
michael, 17 May 2022
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Amazing

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

8/10
Excellent
Richard, 15 May 2022
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Great stay for the price

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.

8/10
Excellent
Sue, 18 Mar 2022
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Worth the stay

Staff very helpful as arriving very late. Beautiful position. Very clean. Plenty of amenities. Mattress a little hard

10/10
Exceptional
Dr M J, 20 Jan 2022
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Very clean and friendly accomodation.

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.

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 16 Jan 2022
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Super spot, good communication, staff very welcoming..shame I couldn’t stay longer ..will be back!

10/10
Exceptional
Lara, 17 Nov 2021
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Friendly staff, great location (close to South Downs Way), and well maintained facilities.

10/10
Exceptional
Zoe, 30 Sep 2021
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Great stay no complaints at all. Friendly helpful staff, clean, organised and accessible.

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 27 Jul 2021
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Very Helpful staff

Great stay, very friendly staff who were very helpful.

2/10
Poor
Shirley, 13 Jul 2021
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Not suitable for wheelchair user

We didn't get to stay as the disabled room that was booked was on the first floor with no lift. Impossible to get to with wheelchair. Were shown a ground floor room but this had no private bathroom and the shared bathroom had a step into it and no room for a wheelchair to fit in if we could get up the step. We were left with nowhere to stay at 5.30pm

10/10
Exceptional
lucy, 20 Jun 2021
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Stay at youth hostel.

Lovely friendly staff.. so helpful. Nice cafe and outside a small garden with views of surrounding hills. Lots of birds in the garden. Wish there were bird feeders so i could see even more! The rooms were clean and basic like you expect a hostel to be. Havent slept in a bunk bed 4 years but overall it was just a lovely stay and again.. all the team were just lovely.

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 12 Jun 2021
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Great staff

Really helpful and friendly staff, great location right on the South Downs Way and good cafe and pretty garden

10/10
Exceptional
Androulla, 18 Oct 2020
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Very comfortable stay

The hostel was easy to find and very close to rail station so you could explore the area. Room very comfortable and warm. Food a little basic but good. Communal area was relaxing but cold and wifi a little intermittent. Staff really friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay there again.

10/10
Exceptional
martin, 20 Mar 2020
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Really cheap and great for an overnight

It was a Youth Hostel but you don't need to be a member. I did stay in a dorm but there were only two of us in it and it took me back to when I was a student. Very clean, very friendly, very good full English breakfast in the café on site. Really good repurposing of what I assume was once a large farm. I was only staying overnight as I was on my way to the Newhaven ferry (just a few miles down the road). I would be happy to stay here a few days, nice area, and I'll probably come back with my wife at a later date.

8/10
Excellent
Verified traveler, 18 Nov 2019
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Our group stayed at YHA Southdowns prior to our ferry for France the next morning. Was surprised at how nice it was and felt is was great value. Excellent full English breaky!

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 11 Aug 2019
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Old farm buildings close to the seaport of Newhaven.

8/10
Excellent
Paul, 28 Jul 2019
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Right on South Downs Way

First youth hostel stay in many years and what a lovely surprise. I was walking the south downs way so this was the obvious choice. (To show my age) They provide the sheets and you no longer have to do a job that always held you up in the morning. The cafe served meals and alcohol up until 8 which I arrived too late for. The breakfast, which I ate at 7.30, was as good as the others I had in the pubs and b&b I stayed in on the walk. The room was clean and comfortable. But it is still a youth hostel, I shared a bathroom with a couple of other rooms, which was only a minor inconvenience and there's an 11pm noise curfew. It backs directly onto an A road but there was little traffic noise between 11 and 6 on the Friday that I stayed.

10/10
Exceptional
judith, 20 Apr 2019
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Very comfortable

8/10
Excellent
Frank, 28 Nov 2018
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Arrived by rail at Southease Station well after sunset. Fortunately I did have a flashlight with me. You need one! Although the walk from the station to the hostel is a short one (5 - 7 minutes) there's no lighting along the dirt road. The hostel itself was a welcomed quiet retreat. I was there to attend a 2 day first aid course and unfortunately didn't have an opportunity to explore the South Downs. The hostel staff and facilities surpassed my expectations.The staff was very friendly and the catering facilities were better than expected. The cooked breakfasts were excellent and good value. The private room that I was in was clean and comfortable. Wi-fi was not available in the rooms but was available in public areas. Altogether a good experience and good value for money.

8/10
Excellent
David, 20 Jun 2018
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Comfortable mattress at this yha . Also good to find paper towels in bathroom .

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 09 Jun 2018
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We had a great stay except the WiFi was pretty bad.

10/10
Exceptional
Iwona, 18 May 2018
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picturesque views and friendly staff

Lovely place to walk and enjoy the countryside. My daughter and I stayed in a lovely cosy attic room. The staff is very friendly and warm. We enjoyed the experience a lot.

8/10
Excellent
Verified traveler, 17 May 2018
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The accommodation is what you would expect from a hostel. The room was very basic but clean and beds were made. Staff were pleasant and made you fell welcome. the location was ideal for us. We ate in the small cafe in the evening and the meal was well priced and satisfying...home cooked.

10/10
Exceptional
Keith, 01 Apr 2018
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A defo must stat

Fab place, relaxing, friendly and beautiful countryside

6/10
Fair
charlotte, 13 Dec 2017
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Noisey no wifi but good location

Great location for South Downs but beware the road traffic noise as all rooms seem to have it super loud. No wifi...

6/10
Fair
Verified traveler, 18 Nov 2017
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Gets the job done- clean. Noise from traffic though be warned, no wifi in rooms

8/10
Excellent
Thomas, 21 Sep 2017
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Fresh and modern YHA, will be staying again.

10/10
Exceptional
john, 04 Jun 2017
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nice place

very clean professional hostel

4/10
Poor
Verified traveler, 30 Dec 2016
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Not that cheap, not that cheerful

Plastic mattress, shower that wouldn't stay the same temperature for more than three seconds, blandest food I have ever tasted (and the chef, though very nice, didn't know what wheat gluten is), lots of noise throughout the night (traffic, machinery, people). After walking on the South Downs Way, to wake in your own sweat after an incredibly uncomfortable night, with the constant strobe light effect of the emergency lighting filling the room, is not what I call restful. Never again.

10/10
Exceptional
Mike, 14 Oct 2016
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Excellent value for money

Peaceful and quiet location. Good night sleep on a strong (but small) bunk bed.

10/10
Exceptional
Verified traveler, 04 Aug 2016
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Really lovely converted farm, excellent cafe with reasonably priced menu. Friendly, helpful staff. All made for a relaxing break walking in South Downs.

8/10
Excellent
Verified traveler, 26 Apr 2016
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2-nights YHA hostel

Stayed 2 nights. Had one walk, one run on the Downs. Plus 3 music gigs. Room and facilities were fine (8-bed hostel room).

8/10
Excellent
Will, 02 Apr 2016
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South Downs Gem

Great little remote YHA located in a converted farm right on the South Downs Way, but with its own railway station. Catch a train to Lewes for a great evening out (taxi back was £14) or enjoy a superb walk into Alfriston. Highly recommend the George Inn and a visit to the National Trust Clergyman's House. Only downside was we found the room very hot at night with no way to turn the heating off.

2/10
Poor
sebastien, 27 May 2018
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Catastrophique

Aucune réception a notre arrivée on a dormi dehors

6/10
Fair
Sandrine, 02 Nov 2017
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BON

Bon rapport qualité/prix. Endroit trop bruyant une nationale passe juste au dessus de l'auberge de jeunesse. Nous avions une chambre sans fenêtre, juste un vélux au dessus.

2/10
Poor
naya, 02 Oct 2015
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Very uncomfortable!! I slept very little!!!

The staff were lovelylovely powerless. Ibdid not have heating in my building. The staff could not help with the non existent heating, provide a heater or alternative room. However I was refunded, but this did not compensate the inconvenience caused.on my second night I didn't sleep because there were very noisy drunk German students having a party until 3AM. I was forced to find alternative accommodation for my third night as the staff informed me that she couldn't guarantee it would be quiet and even told me the noise will probably be worse. There are no night staff or managers available to control levels of noise at night. This issue should be addressed and night staff should be available. The showers and sinks block within seconds of turning on, poor plumbing system. I wouldwould strongly dissuade anyone from staying here, unless they want a party!! Also the main road is very noisy and windows not insulated. I have stayed at a lot of YHA's and have never experienced such a shabbyshabby, poorly managed place such as this one.

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