National parks are just brilliant, aren’t they? They’re the great breathing spaces, full of fresh air, cool water and green things. Especially in spring and summer when life begins anew.
Here at YHA, we’re lucky enough to have more than 60 properties in national parks across England and Wales. And we want to make sure everyone can come to visit, even if they don’t have access to a car. Because if you get to us by public transport it’s not only environmentally-friendly and economical, it’s also part of the adventure. Packing your clothes, snacks, drink and map is all part of the fun in our eyes!
Here are some routes to our national park hostels that are carless and carefree…
YHA South Downs
South Downs by train
YHA South Downs is located (you guessed it) in the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. The South Downs National Park is ideal for exploring year-round, but seeing the snowdrops carpeting the woodland floors, lambs frolicking in fields, and clear blue skies make spring a truly magical time to go. The hostel is just a five-minute walk from Southease station in Sussex, which is 25 minutes from Brighton or an hour and 20 minutes from London.
This modern hostel is snuggled in the middle of substantial gardens with plenty of local walks nearby. If you’re looking for a bigger adventure, check out the camping and glamping options available at YHA South Downs. Book yourself into a premium bell tent – a spacious tipi-like structure complete with futon beds, soft furnishings and a log burner. Or try our Landpods which are raised off the ground for added comfort and have a retractable roof so you can finish your day with a night under the stars.
YHA Castleton
Peak District by bus or train
A great base for all manner of Peak District pursuits, Hathersage’s many shops specialising in outdoor gear hint at this small village’s status as a mecca for adventurers of all ages and abilities. There are plenty of daffodil-laden trails to explore and climbing up the surroudning peaks will give you spectacular views of the harebell-peppered moorland, gritstone outcrops, and quaint valleys on a clear day.
YHA Castleton sits in the centre of the village underneath the dominating Mam Tor and Great Ridge which fill the skyline above, minutes from the start of the Charlotte Brontë literature trail or the oversized grave of Robin Hood’s sidekick, Little John. You can explore the Blue John caverns dotted around, but yourself some Blue John jewellery, visit Peveril Castle, or walk along the limestone rocks in Cave Dale. The journey to the village from either Sheffield or Manchester is very easy, it’s accessible by bus, train or, for the truly adventurous, by bike.
YHA Manorbier
Pembrokeshire Coast by bus and train
The Pembrokeshire Coast national park is a quiet, peaceful haven of clifftop walks and seaside towns. You’d enjoy walking around the countryside as the days grow longer and the weather gets milder. There are plenty of wildflowers and songbirds to be found along the great expanse of trails.
YHA Manorbier sits atop a cliff, boasting fantastic coastal views, access to beautiful sandy beaches as well as miles and miles of coastal paths for you to explore during your stay. If you can get yourself to Tenby via bus, coach or train, there’s only a 17 minite bus ride on the 349 Withybush to Skrinkle Estate, and then a short walk to the beautifully positioned hostel.
YHA Ambleside
Lake District by bus and train
One of the first national parks in the UK, the Lake District’s swooping fells and glittering lakes are hard to beat. In fact, the Lakes’ stunning vistas have inspired lonely cloud wanderings to a sunny sea of daffodils, Middle Earth battles and the tales of Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter.
YHA Ambleside sits less than 20 metres from the shores of Lake Windermere. Imagine that, opening your curtains in the morning to the sun bouncing off 10 miles of bright blue lake. You can get to the hostel on the 555 bus from Kendal – a 50-minute journey that’s quite ridiculously pretty from the top deck. A five-minute train connects Kendal to Oxenholme, which is on the West Coast Mainline.
YHA Malham
Yorkshire Dales by bus
YHA Malham is the perfect base to explore the delights of the Dales. With dramatic limestone scenery, an abundance of flora and fauna, and jaw-dropping views of the unspoilt landscape just a stone’s throw from the village centre, Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park has few equals anywhere in the UK.
A short walk will take you to Janet’s Foss, a magical crystalline waterfall and plunge pool said to be the home of Janet, Queen of the Fairies. There are regular buses to Malham from Skipton – during winter the 75, 210 and 211 will take you to a stop just three minutes from the hostel from Monday – Saturday. From 15th May, the 873, 884 and 881 operate on Sundays too. Skipton is easily accessible by rail, with both Bradford and Leeds only a 40 minutes’ journey.
YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass
Eryri (Snowdonia) by train, bus and foot
A lovely rural retreat high in the Welsh hills, YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass is packed full of character. The hostel is one of the most remote in our network, making it the perfect base for exploring the hills, lakes, mountains and wild scenery of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.
You can get to the hostel by taking the train to Bangor, then the T10 Corwen to Bryn Ilys followed by the S1 Caernarfon to YHA Pen-y-Pass, which takes around two hours. You can break up the journey with a stay at YHA Conwy, or you can head straight for the hostel and start exploring the beautiful landscape on offer in the awe-inspiring Eryri National Park.
Photo credits: davidyoung11111 / Dmitry Naumov / U-JINN Photography / Alan / James / albinoni / Martin / Adobe Stock
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