Single supplement

[quitemystic]

Why are solo walkers penalised with being charged a single supplement?

[sandrahal]

Accommodation providers will tell you that the supplement is to cover the 'loss' they make compared with letting the same room to a couple who, of course, pay twice the 'per person' rate, never mind whether or not they turned a couple away in order to take your booking.  I've been charged a supplement even when I was the only guest in the whole place - which had more than two rooms.  In such cases I'd have to say that greed and lack of any concern about hospitality and the good name of the place you're visiting are the guiding factors.

Just occasionally you'll come across someone who's genuinely hospitable and charges 'per person', irrespective of the size of room you occupy.  One such was an excellent B&B in Muker, close to the C2C and on the Pennine Way.

In Scotland you could protest to Visit Scotland, but in truth I think it would be a waste of time; not sure about England.
There's not much else you can do other than to search for places with genuine singles - they do exist, though few in number.

Best wishes
Sandra

[quitemystic]

Good response, Sandra
England is the same, but at least in Scotland you can wild camp legally.
Richard

[Jacquetta]

I had a similar good experience to Sandra's, at Ingleby Cross in June, at the Blue Bell where David Kinsella (tel 01609 882 272) charged his standard rate and let me use a 4-bedded room with attached lounge (!) in his converted stables.  There was a group of scouts camping at the back whom he charged only £3 per head including use of shower and toilets.  Recommended for both B&B and camping; good food and real ale, too.

[Stottie]

I think the preceding responses cover the issues, and I can only add that the result you get "on the doorstep" may also depend on the first instant of interaction with the person who answers your knock.
Now I accept that stone-hearted sorts will not concede a brass farthing, even to the most appealling caller, and even the "nice" accommodation providers who have had a horrible day might feel ill-disposed towards even the most winsome of us. On the other hand, your winning smile might just get you a better price than someone else's gruff or charmless inquiry. It takes two to make a deal, and if you think people "behind the counter" are a miserable lot, try standing there and looking at the faces of the customers - it could be you...

[8LovesTravel]

This whole supplement thing bothers me too. Reading this thread I developed this idea: Wouldnt it be great to have a thread (this one or a new one) that lists all the B&Bs known to simply charge per person or are more accommodating and affordable than others? That would be a great resource! Two have already been mentioned, Muker and Ingleby Cross. Surely there are more?

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