A Minehead youth hostel sitting in a woodland national park has been put on the market. 

YHA Minehead, two miles south of the town in Exmoor National Park, is currently part of a network of more than 100 hostels across England and Wales. 

The property is a former hunting lodge and is described as having “considerable character”. 

With the sale, the preference is for the business to remain as part of the franchise, with options considered for an independent hostel or for a change of use.

The hostel has eight bedrooms and sleeps 32 guests, with a dining room that has space for 36. 

On the ground floor is the dining room, a reception hall, a lounge with a stone built fireplace, a self-catering kitchen and a commercial kitchen. 

Upstairs are the bedrooms and a shared wash area with two shower rooms. 

As well as guest rooms, there is staff accommodation, comprising two self-contained outbuildings, each with a bedroom. 

Externally, the driveway leads to car parking for a dozen vehicles, as well as a two acre garden and a wood store. 

The property is being sold by estate agents Sidney Phillips for a price of £600,000. 

The agent commented: “YHA Minehead is a former hunting lodge of considerable character that appears to be of brick construction with part rendered and weather boarded finish under a pitched slate roof.”