AD | Press stay
When we were planning a getaway during May half term, we wanted somewhere only a few hours away but within easy distance of some great days out. YHA London Lee Valley ticked all of those boxes for us. Nestled in the peaceful surroundings of Lee Valley Regional Park, but just a short train ride from the heart of the capital, it’s a great option no matter what you want to do.
Address and contact information
Windmill Lane,
Cheshunt,
Hertfordshire,
EN8 9AJ
Map references
OS Map: 166
OS Grid Ref: TL368024
Lat/Lng:51.704035, -0.022321
what3words: nets.milky.battle
Phone: +44 345 371 9057
Email: leevalley@yha.org.uk
Location & first impressions
YHA London Lee Valley is located within the 10,000-acre Lee Valley Regional Park in Hertfordshire, just outside the M25. We drove on this occasion, only being a few hours away from home in Norfolk. However, it’s a really easy location to get to by train, as Cheshunt Station is only a few minutes walk away.
Set among lakes and trees, the hostel feels a world away from London, which is actually only 30 minutes away by train. We were greeted by friendly staff at reception, and the site has a relaxed, outdoorsy feel that immediately put us in holiday mode.
Checking in and out
Check in starts at 3pm, and is easily done at the reception desk. Staff are really friendly and helpful, and gave us a really great start to our stay. We were told where our cabin was and how to get there, where communal areas were and given the times for breakfast if we wanted it. You can also rent towels at reception, and buy YHA related items.
On your last day, check out is at 10am and all you really need to do is drop your keys off at reception.
Parking
Free parking is included with your stay at YHA London Lee Valley. There aren’t loads of spaces, and the car park isn’t huge but we had no issues parking on any of the days we were there. You do need to register your car on a screen at reception to avoid charges though.
Family accommodation
This YHA location is made up of separate lodge-style buildings set around a grassy area, which is perfect for a bit of running about after a long journey. There are only 5 lodges here, and ours had (I think) around 6 separate rooms inside.
We stayed in a private en-suite family room, which was clean, simple, and exactly what we needed. Our room this time had a bunk bed with a double bed at the bottom and a single at the top, which was ideal for us. Each bed has a set of plugs and a little light, so if you want to read etc. while children are asleep, you don’t need to worry about having the big lights on.
Our room was plenty big enough and had a fair bit of storage space. Along with hooks for coats and bags, we had 2 cupboards and some hanging space. This was only short though and definitely not long enough for my dresses but I made it work and draped them over the edge instead. The beds have loads of space underneath for bags and suitcases, so they won’t take up space uneccessarily. Something we really appreciated in this particular room was the table and chair. This meant that Erin could sit and draw or read while we were getting ready in the mornings.
As we had a private en-suite room, we also had our own shower and toilet. This makes life a lot easier as a family, without worrying about leaving the room in the middle of the night. The shower in this room was fantastic, with great water pressure and really nice, hot water.
While the rooms aren’t luxurious, they’re very practical, with storage, charging points, and heating. To make things a little bit more homely, I like to take things like a bath mat and fluffy towels. It was great having our own space, but with access to communal areas if we wanted to mix with other families or travellers.
Making the most of the shared kitchen
One of the best things about YHA stays is the communal areas. Our lodge had it’s own shared kitchen, which was well-equipped and spacious, making it easy to prep meals or snacks. You’re able to store any food and drink you want in the kitchen, using a label system so you only use your own items. Erin loves getting involved in doing this, and enjoys writing out our labels before sticking them on the food.
Although you can cook in the shared kitchens, we tend to only use them to make breakfast and lunch. One night we ordered Papa Johns pizza, which was delivered to the reception area. We were able to sit and eat this in the shared kitchen at the huge dining table but there are also picnic benches outside if the weather is nice.
There’s a small café and bar on site, though we didn’t try it during our stay. For other options, there are supermarkets and takeaways in nearby Cheshunt.
Our top tip? Bring some groceries with you or stop at a shop on the way, especially if you’re arriving late.
Communal areas
On-site facilities include a lounge area with comfy seating and a games room. There are quite a few different board games that you’re able to borrow, and so many books to choose from if you’ve forgotten your own. We always like to get together for a game or two on an evening, and it’s so much fun teaching Erin to play something new. This time we had a go at Scrabble and draughts, which is always a favourite!
There’s also a great outdoor space, which was a real bonus. There’s lots of room to play if you’ve brought something like a ball with you, or you can sit an enjoy a coffee on the picnic benches while the kids play. We had some time to kill each morning before heading out for the day and it was nice to sit and enjoy the view, while Erin played a bit.
The hostel also offers laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi in communal areas.
Things to do nearby
You’re truly spoilt for choice here. Being based inside Lee Valley Regional Park, you have a huge range of family activities on your doorstep: enjoy a walk, explore open green spaces, playgrounds, wildlife spotting, cycling, and even canoeing or white water rafting for older kids. Although we did manage a short walk here, we didn’t have quite enough time to make the most of such an amazing place.
Instead of staying local, we chose a few bigger days out a little bit of a drive away, but still under an hour. We spent one day at Knebworth House and one day at Whipsnade Zoo, both of which were amazing. However, if you want something a bit closer, here are some ideas:
- Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park
- Lee Valley White Water Centre
- Lee Valley Park Farms
- Central London (via train from Cheshunt)
- Epping Forest
- Paradise Wildlife Park
Would we stay again?
Absolutely. YHA London Lee Valley offers fantastic value for families who want to explore London (and further afield) without staying in the city itself. We loved the lodge style accommodation, something we haven’t seen at YHA before and the relaxed atmopshere was perfect for us.
Don’t forget, you get the best price guarentee when you book direct with YHA, as well as supporting such a great charity at the same time.
Final tips for families
- Book early, especially during school holidays.
- Bring snacks and groceries for simple meals and packed lunches.
- Explore the local park – there’s more to do than you might expect.
- Check train times for days in London – services are frequent and family-friendly.