Sleepover: Lockton YHA

A bed on the North Yorkshire Moors

The location

The location

On the southern fringes of the North Yorkshire Moors, Lockton is an idyllic hamlet.

The USP

Here at the only eco-hostel in England and Wales, wool insulates the roof and walls, rainwater is used to flush the lavatories and solar panels heat the water and power the lights. There's a lavatory that composts waste, too. Oh - and the roof is alive. It is made of sedum, a thick plant which needs regular weeding. Lockton YHA re-opened in March after a £300,000 green facelift.

The comfort factor

Basic and cosy, Lockton sleeps 21 guests wanting to get away from it all. The four shared dormitories contain bunks ideal for families or younger guests. Three rooms sleep four, six and eight respectively, while the three-bed room has en-suite facilities. Mountain-bikers are well catered for. There is a bike store and bike cleaning and repair facilities.

The bathroom

All rooms have a basin. There are three communal showers and two normal lavatories. The composting lavatory is a revelation.

Food and drink

How good is your cooking? Guests cater for themselves using the plentiful utensils in the swish kitchen.

The people

All ages, from outdoor adrenalin junkies to international tourists. Other guests include birds and bats. There is also a hedgehog house, bumble bee house and even a house for ladybirds.

The area

You are five miles from Goathland where the TV series Heartbeat was filmed. The stark moors are the largest expanse of open heather in England. Cropton and Dalby Forests, nearby, feature fantastic mountain-bike and walking trails. Along the coast are Whitby and Scarborough, which has an impressive Sea Life Centre. There's the Flamingo Land theme park and the Eden Camp museum telling you all about the Second World War. The North York Moors Railway is close by.

The access

All on ground level, Lockton has easy access for people with mobility problems. The en-suite bathroom is wheelchair-accessible.

The damage

Adult YHA members: £12.50, under-18 members: £9. Adult non-members pay a £3 supplement while under-18s are charged an extra £1.50. To book a room costs between £41 for the three-bed dorm to £78 for the six-bed room. It costs £15.50 for adults to join the YHA and £10 for people under 26. You can rent the entire hostel for £310 for two nights between September and March.

The address

Lockton YHA, Old School, Lockton, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7PY (0870- 770 5938; www.yha.org.uk).

Ed Reed