It was my mother’s first time to London. After two solid weeks venturing through the south of Spain and Portugal, we had found ourselves in the British capital on route back to Canada.
Throughout the trip mom and I had been staying exclusively in hostels with the intention of showing her, and others like her, that hostels provide an excellent option for families and established adults alike.
Our stop in London was no exception to the rule. Being a city so steeped in history, I wanted to find somewhere for us to stay that was conveniently located near a tube stop to allow us easy access to the sights. It needed to be clean, friendly and reasonably priced. But above all, I wanted a place with a story.
That’s when I found Clink78 Hostel.
Located in central London, near King’s Cross St Pancras tube station, Clink78 Hostel had all the things we wanted, including the story.
What is that story you ask? Well, Clink78 was once a courthouse. Housed in a 200 year old Victorian style building, the hostel keeps to the theme of its’ history with spaces like the courtroom and some of the old holding cells turned into rooms which you can stay in. Unique for the WIN!
Before jumping into a breakdown of the hostel, have a look around by giving the below video a watch.
A few more details about the hostel:
Internet: Whether you have a laptop or mobile device, wifi is offered in the hostel, for a fee. There are also computers available in the ‘Courtroom’ for you to use. Fun fact: it’s the same courtroom where the Clash went on trial. Wifi was fast enough to make surfing enjoyable but not available in all spaces.
Kitchen: If you are looking to do some cooking – food can get expensive in London – there is a full kitchen at your disposal in the afternoon and evening. It is located in the same place as breakfast (which is free by the way), and has tons of room for sitting and enjoying whatever you cook up!
Rooms: With 500 beds at Clink78, there are a few different room types. Both dorm and private options are available. My mother and I stayed in a double private room and my only wish was that it was slightly more spacious. Rooms, and the front door are accessed by keycard.
Bathrooms: There was a nice mix of private and shared bathrooms that were always clean. Some rooms also have their own private bathroom.
Lockers: In the courtroom you will find lockers for rent if you have larger items like a laptop or small bag that you wish to store and keep.
Location: It was really key that we be in a hostel with solid access to the tube so we could zip around the city. In addition to buses, Clink78 is right by King’s Cross St. Pancras tube station as well as the St. Pancras International train station. 
Price: At the time of writing, beds cost anywhere from $20 to $60. Tip: Beds are cheaper during the week and go up on the weekend.
Staff: Throughout our stay staff were friendly and helpful and there was someone at the front desk 24/7.
Other: Overall we had a great stay at Clink78. The hostel provides a place with character and history that fits in well with the city around it: London. Make sure to also check out the ClashBar for some drinks and a dance party at night. The guests at this hostel are a younger crowd, so while I wouldn’t specifically recommend it for families, it is still an option if you’re curious and want to experience something different. The colours and atmosphere set the perfect tone and did a great job of highlighting the courthouse theme.
If you’d like to learn more about Clink78, or stay with them during your visit, you can connect with them below:
Website: http://www.clinkhostels.com/
Facebook: Clink Hostel, 78
Phone: +44 20 7183 9400
Email: [email protected]
Address: 78 King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9QG, United Kingdom
I’d like to thank the Clink78 crew for hosting us during our stay in London. Glad we got to experience a small part of it’s incredible history!
