The first YHA Festival of Walking will take place from 4th September to 20th October, with the aim of bringing together individuals, friends, families, walking groups and communities to explore the beautiful countryside of England and Wales. Walking. It’s a simple...
There’s nothing quite like the escapism of a multi-day (or even a long, single day) walk. Not only does it give the chance to unplug from the pressures of rolling news, social media and other attention drains, but it serves up something even more liberating: the...
Where there are glorious hiking routes, there are YHA hostels. No less than 16 National Trails wind across England and Wales, each of them waymarked, maintained, and leading through some of the UK’s most spectacular landscapes. Here are some of our favourite...
The wise old English oak trees are truly interesting trees. Here are eight amazing facts about oak trees that might surprise you!Do you recognise this leaf? It looks a little bit like it’s been cut out neatly with scissors. It comes from one of our most special...
There are 39 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in Wales and England, all of which have their own distinct character. Here’s why these regions are an essential part of our landscape. Whoever chose the official website URL for the UK’s Areas of Outstanding...
We’ve pulled together nine great hostels ideally placed for winter getaways in the UK. From city breaks to coastal hideaways, and from active outdoor destinations to cosy lounges with roaring fires, you’ll find the perfect off-season getaway.YHA London Oxford...
There tend to be good reasons why honeypot walking locations are so popular: they might be the highest, or the easiest to get to, or the most obviously beautiful. But with popularity comes crowds. Every summer, we read stories of queues to get to the top of Yr...
The 91-year-old national youth charity YHA (England & Wales) has revealed its hopes ahead of Defra’s response to the Glover Review being published. James Blake, Chief Executive of YHA said: “We look forward to reading the detail of the government’s response....
England and Wales are both packed with memorable rail routes – lines that connect city, coast and countryside to often spectacular effect. Some are short rides that trundle through shapely landscapes, others are map-spanning journeys that cross multiple counties....
With properties scattered across England and Wales, we’re lucky to have a portfolio packed with variety. Whether in the mountains, along the coast or in the countryside, each of our hostels has its own unique appeal – something that applies not just in terms of...
One of YHA’s great selling points is the beautiful locations of its hostels. Some are remote, others in buzzing urban centres – but we like to think they’re all in reach. A huge number of our lodgings sit close to train stations or bus stops, meaning that getting...
The clue is in the name: Youth Hostels Association. The proof is in the mission statement: ‘to enrich the lives of all, especially young people, by providing brilliant hostel stays and experiences that improve physical health, mental wellbeing and life skills.’...
