Slightly misleadingly, the closest YHA to Windermere is actually about 1.5 miles from the lake, halfway between Troutbeck Bridge and Troutbeck village. Once a mansion, the imposing building has been modernised with the usual YHA set-up: bunk-bed dorms, canteen, self-catering kitchen, lounge and gear-drying room. There are fine Windermere views from the front rooms, and space to camp outside, too.
Inconveniently, buses from Windermere stop about a mile downhill at Troutbeck Bridge.