Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from a hostel in the City of London – I mean, this area usually empties out after 6pm when all the bankers head home. But YHA London St Paul’s actually surprised me in the best way possible. The building itself sits on Carter Lane, which is one of those narrow medieval streets that somehow survived the Blitz and all the modern development chaos. You’re literally a two-minute walk from St Paul’s Cathedral (you can see the dome from some of the upper floor windows), and here’s the thing most people don’t realize – you’re also incredibly close to the Millennium Bridge and Shakespeare’s Globe on the South Bank.
The hostel has this interesting mix going on where it feels properly institutional in that classic YHA way, but they’ve clearly put some effort into making it not feel like a prison dormitory. The common areas are actually pretty decent for hanging out, and the kitchen facilities are way better than what you’d find in most London hostels. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets in the evenings – because you’re in the financial district, there’s none of that late-night street noise you’d get in Camden or near the West End. The flip side is that finding decent food after 8pm can be a bit of a mission, though Borough Market is just across the river if you don’t mind the walk. The staff seemed genuinely helpful rather than just going through the motions, which honestly makes such a difference when you’re trying to figure out Oyster cards or the best way to get somewhere.
You know what really sells this place for me though? The location is absolutely unbeatable for exploring central London on foot. Sure, it’s not trendy like Shoreditch or as convenient for nightlife as Covent Garden, but you can walk to the Tate Modern in ten minutes, hit up the South Bank food markets, and still be back in time for the evening quiet. The Blackfriars tube station is close enough, and from there you can get pretty much anywhere. I’d definitely recommend this spot if you’re the type who likes to wander around and discover things rather than just hitting the obvious tourist traps. Just pack some snacks because the nearby Tesco Express closes early and weekend food options around here can be… well, let’s just say they’re limited.