Ffestiniog Railway Hostels

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Using Minffordd Hostel

Hostel Warden : Ben Rosen
Booking Secretary : Marje Buxton
Director with responsibility for Hostel : Alan Norton

The Ffestiniog Railway Society hopes you enjoy your stay in Minffordd Hostel. This guide has been written to help you make the most of your volunteering on the Ffestiniog Railway.

Minffordd Hostel is available to volunteers on the Ffestiniog Railway. For more information on how you can volunteer on the railway, see our

Discover Volunteering pages.

Booking the Hostel

All hostel bookings must be made through the Bookings Secretary, Marje Buxton. Late bookings can be made directly with the Hostel Warden. You can book accomodation through the on-line booking form. Further information about the Hostel can be obtained from Ben by telephoning 01766 771280 or 07767 493193, or by emailing warden@ffestiniograilway.org.uk

Arriving at the Hostel

The hostel is situated adjacent to both Ffestiniog Railway and National Rail stations at Minffordd. Porthmadog is also served by National Express coaches. Ffestiniog Travel can issue you with travel tickets, telephone 01766 516010.

If you are arriving by car, there is a car park provided within the hostel grounds. The gate to access Minffordd Yard and Hostel is locked with a standard railway padlock - if you do not have a key please park on the approach to the gate making sure you do not block the roadway, and ask at the Hostel for someone to unlock the gate for you. Residents can obtain a key for the gate from the Warden.

Booking in to the Hostel

On arrival, please enter the building by the main entrance, facing the railway line. Immediately on entering, there is a noticeboard on your right. Please read any notices there, taking special note of the room allocations in case there have been any changes. Please also sign the register so the Warden knows you have arrived.

There are 5 Modules in the Hostel . Mod 1,and 3 on ground floor Mod 2,4 and 6 on second floor. Access is by electronic keypad. The code for this should be issued with your confirmation of booking or by contacting Warden. These codes will change every 6 months. There is also a Laundry on the ground floor, common room on second floor and Library/meeting room on third floor.

If you have any problems or questions about booking in, please contact the duty warden. His name and contact details will be placed on the noticeboard next to the room allocation list.

Using the Hostel

Feel free to come and go from the hostel as you wish. You can make use of any of the facilities provided: TV lounge, library and laundry room (small charge made for washing facilities). Your module is fitted with a kitchen for self catering and a small communal area with table and chairs, as well as two shower rooms.

Whilst you can use the hostel as most suits you, please be considerate to other users. Especially during the high summer period, some residents may have very early starts in the mornings. Please bear this in mind and keep noise to a low level late at night. Similarly, if you are one of those getting up early, try not to wake other residents! If you have visitors at Hostel please note they will be asked to leave building at 11.00pm.

Hostel users are also the hostel cleaners. The central communal areas are cleaned regularly by the Warden or Duty Warden, but the cleanliness of modules is the responsibility of those using the facilities. Please wash up promptly, and keep the shower rooms clean and tidy. It is usual practice to clean and hoover your room on departure, and to help clean the remainder of the module on a day off. Please try to leave the module as you would expect to find it!

Leaving the Hostel

On departure, please leave your room in a clean and tidy state. Before leaving, ensure you have removed any of your food from the kitchen. Leftovers you do not wish to take home can be left with the Warden for distribution to other residents - please do not just leave food to go off in the fridge! On your way out, do not forget to sign out in the register. If you borrowed a gate key from the Warden, please return it before leaving (but don't forget to get your car through the gate first).

If you find you have left anything behind, you can contact the Warden on 01766 771280 and ask for it to be kept safe until your next visit. Finally, thankyou for using Minffordd Hostel and we hope you return soon.