Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage

It is a very nice hostel that is housed in the heritage-listed mansion that was once home to biscuit tycoon George Palmer, of the Huntley and Palmer biscuit company that operated the world’s largest biscuit factory in Reading. It is a charming old house with many original features and it has been restored keeping the character of the historic building.

The hostel’s common areas include a nice lounge with a TV on the ground floor and a cosy bar (the Chapel Bar), a large conservatory plus a dining room and a restaurant downstairs.

Accommodation is in dormitories with solid bunks, many of which have curtains for added privacy.

Unlike many other hostels, there are no self-catering facilities here and because the hostel has a bar, its liquor licence prohibits you from bringing your own alcohol into the building.

There is free Wi-Fi wireless internet access throughout the hostel.

Overall, it’s a good place to stay with lots of character and it is a step above most other London hostels.

It is on a quiet residential street in a lovely neighbourhood and it is just a short walk to the local shopping area on Finchley Road and Harben Parade, which has plenty of places to eat, drink and shop.

Although there are not a lot of tourist attractions within the immediate area, you can walk from here to the Freud Museum in a little over five minutes and there is very easy access to Central London.

Although it is a little bit out of town, it’s only a couple of stops from central London on the Jubilee line and National Express coaches to Stansted Airport stop just around the corner on Finchley Road. Swiss Cottage tube station is only a three-minute walk from the hostel and Finchley Road station is five minutes away.

If you’re travelling by car there is the added advantage of on-site car parking (£5 per day) and there is also lots of free off-street parking, which is something you won’t find at other London hostels.