The ultimate South London budget place to stay, housed in the former home of the Labour Party.
Safestay London Elephant & Castle
144-152 Walworth Road Elephant & Castle London SE17 1JL 020 7703 8000
We say
Housed in an expansive Georgian building on Walworth Road, just five minutes from up-and-coming Elephant & Castle, and not much further from trendy Borough and London Bridge, this Safestay Hostel is the gritty urban alternative to its fancier cousin across the river in Holland Park – and that's as it should be, because it occupies John Smith House which was for years the headquarters of the Labour Party.
Like all the Safestay hostels (there are others in York and Edinburgh), it's run a bit like a hotel, with a funky, contemporary style – lots of purple – and room sizes to suit all tastes and needs, from private rooms with en-suite facilities through to 4-, 6- and 8-bed dormitories equipped with Safestay's own brand of bunk beds – fitted with a personal night-light and power socket and surrounded by privacy curtains. There's a large public space, including a garden, and breakfast is free, as is the wifi. The licensed bar serves snacks and light refreshments and you can also enjoy a drink in the courtyard garden.
It's not really a place for partying backpackers, but there is loads to do on your doorstep, with Elephant & Castle tube station just a few minutes' away and the delights of the South Bank and Waterloo, Tate Britain and the Globe not much further. It's one of the best city hostels in London, where it can be tough to find hostels that offer budget city breaks without sacrificing quality.
Have your say
You must be signed in to leave a review, please sign in or register with us to continue.
Sign InPlaces to eat & drink nearby
-
Dans Le Noir?
30–31 Clerkenwell Green London EC1R 0DU
Dine in the dark served by blind waiters
-
Jazz Café
5 Parkway London NW1 7PG
It's hot, crowded and intimate, perfect for the kind of music they showcase here.
-
Terroirs
5 William IV Street Covent Garden London WC2N 4DW
Terroirs is a good wine bar, that’s for sure – and a ‘natural wine bar’ to boot.
-
The Book Club
100–106 Leonard Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 4XS
Fun club and café with an arty twist
-
French House
49 Dean Street Soho London W1D 5BG
Soho’s finest bohemian traditions live on in this mainstay of Dean Street’s demi-monde
Things to see & do nearby
-
Brick Lane
Brick Lane, Spitalfields, London E1 6PU
Where the Jewish community, Bangladeshi residents and crowds of bar-going youths meet in a cacophonous fusion
-
London Transport Museum
Covent Garden Piazza Covent Garden London WC2E 7BB
It would take a hard heart not to be charmed by the London Transport Museum
-
Ronnie Scott’s
47 Frith Street Soho London W1D 4 HT
Mention Soho to any jazz fan and they’ll think of Ronnie Scott’s
-
Royal Opera House
Bow Street Covent Garden London WC2E 9DD
London’s glorious Royal Opera House has stood on this spot since 1858
-
Primrose Hill
Regent's Park Camden Town London NW1 4NR
Probably the best view of London – in the world. Just wait till you've climbed to the top before you turn around.
Shops nearby
-
House of Vintage
4 Cheshire Street, Spitalfields, London E2 6EH
Secondhand fashion store just off Brick Lane
-
Paul A Young
143 Wardour Street Soho London W1F 8WA
Soho showcase for pastry-chef turned chocolatier-extraordinaire Paul A Young
-
Rough Trade
Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, London E1 6QL
Indie music store with a live stage
-
Past Caring
54 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 8LR
On a drab stretch of Essex Road, Past Caring is the go-to vintage store for arty types and bargain-hunters alike.
-
Foyles
113–119 Charing Cross Road Soho London WC2H 0EB
London’s finest bookshop, with a huge and astonishingly eclectic array of titles.
Other Places to Stay Nearby
Are you the owner?
If you're the owner of this place you can sign up for a 'Featured Owner' account so that you can add your own text, images and more...
Owner Sign UpHow much?
Facilities
- Bar
- Café
- Dining area
- Dorms - mixed
- En-suite available
- Family rooms
- Private Rooms
- Washer/Dryer
- Wifi
Looking for...
- Boutique
- Budget
- Family-Friendly
- Groups Welcome
- Historic
- Independent hostels
- Town & City
Getting There
Safestay is a short walk from Elephant & Castle tube station. Turn left out of the shopping centre/Northern Line station, then left again at the roundabout onto Walworth Rd. Walk under the bridge and continue for about 400m; the hostel is on the right, opposite the Cuming Museum.
When?
Open all year.