Edale Youth Hostel. Photo: Mike Williams

A youth hostel at the start of England’s oldest national trail is to close temporarily for a £¼m refurbishment.

YHA said Edale Youth Hostel in the Peak District will reopen in phases, starting on 7 February.

The 157-bed hostel will see most of its bedrooms refurbished. YHA (England and Wales) said all its washrooms will be upgraded and the reception, lounge and self-catering kitchen will be redecorated and refurbished.

The dining room will also undergo full refurbishment and be reconfigured to accommodate customers better.

The hostel is in the village of Edale, starting point of the 431km (268-mile) Pennine Way, the first to be established in the UK. The route ends at Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.

Caroline White, chief executive of YHA (England and Wales), said: “YHA Edale is one of our most popular locations for groups looking for a great activity break.

“The refurbishment of the youth hostel is part of our continuing investment in our hostels to ensure they offer the great welcome and friendly stay of which YHA is rightly proud.”

The work at Edale is YHA’s first of the year. In 2013, the charity invested more than £13m in its network, refurbishing eight hostels and creating a new one, YHA South Downs, in East Sussex.