Saint James Backpackers  

In the heart of Kensington/Chelsea, a short walk from Kensington High Street and about 15 minutes on foot to the Natural History and Science Museums and Hyde Park. Saint James Backpackers sits within a 10-minute drive of Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, making it a prime budget hostel for travellers who want to explore central London.

This family-run backpackers features 22 guestrooms and a warm communal vibe. Expect a huge garden patio, terrace spaces, a shared kitchen, and a lively communal lounge with an 85-inch UHD TV, Netflix and PS5. Daily housekeeping, irons on request and multilingual staff keep stays easy and sociable.

Wake up to freshly made pancakes and other all-you-can-eat breakfast options; the hostel also runs a nightly dinner service (often limited sign-up) and daily social events like quiz nights, beer-pong and PS5 tournaments. On-site perks include a fitness centre/gym, bar, restaurant, picnic and BBQ areas, karaoke, a children’s playroom and a modern shared kitchen plus free high-speed Wi‑Fi throughout.

24-hour front desk, luggage storage, a car park and reliable high-speed internet make this a practical choice for remote work or busy travel days.

A complimentary self-serve breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM with pancakes, eggs, cereals, toast and juices. The on-site restaurant provides evening meals (often a free or sign-up dinner at 7pm with vegetarian/occasional vegan options), and guests can use the communal kitchen to cook their own food.