YHA Blog
1933 to present day The Quakers and YHA had a strong connection in the YHA’s early years. In the 1930s, the energy to start the youth hostel movement in England and Wales came from government bodies such as the National Council of Social Service and the British...
YHA Idwal Cottage Youth Hostel 1931 to present In 1929 and 1930 pioneering Merseysiders were dreaming of a courageous new plan; inventing a British version of the German jugendherbergen to open exploration in North Wales. They imagined a loop of simple hostels from...
YHA Whitby is, and has always been, a firm favourite hostelling destination for families, ramblers and holiday makers over its 85-year history. Let’s look at the first location.1934 to 2006 A hostel in Whitby has been a strong talking point from the very beginnings...
For this month’s Throwback Thursday, we’re looking at the history of another of YHA’s most iconic hostels... YHA Beer. Bovey Combe House; situated in the heart of the little village of Beer was an attractive Arts and Crafts...
This month we’re diving into the history of YHA Ambleside, a hostel close to many peoples hearts. This stunning hostel has a prime spot on the edge of the water and is perfect for fine-weather dining.Ambleside (Queens Hotel) Youth Hostel – 1946 to 1971The Queens...
For this month’s Throwback Thursday, we’re looking at the history of another iconic YHA. YHA Snowdon Bryn Gwynant is a Victorian mansion, perfectly placed in the Snowdonia National Park. Bryn Gwynant is known for its wooded grounds and stunning views over Llyn...
For this month’s Throwback Thursday, we’re looking at the history of another iconic YHA. YHA St Briavels Castle is a Norman castle in the heart of the English county of Gloucestershire. The castle is known for its huge Edwardian gatehouse that guards the entrance...
In 1934, the YHA National Executive made the decision to open youth hostels in historic cities and York was included in this. So let’s delve into the history of YHA York..York [Trenfield] Youth Hostel: 1934 to 1944A large brick-built double fronted town house,...
Grange-in Borrowdale Youth Hostel 1932-1973In 1932 one of YHA’s earliest hostels, Grange-in-Borrowdale entered into an arrangement with the lake-land region of YHA to run a youth hostel at the farm. It was considered a great success with five of its first 12...
YHA Black Sail started life as a simple shepherd’s hut and it still retains that charm today. Here’s a little hostel history… YHA Black Sail was officially opened on 14th April 1933, by Mrs Wakefield, YHA Lakeland Region Executive Committee member. G M Trevelyan,...
The year is 1874. Queen Victoria is almost forty years into her reign, post boxes are first painted their iconic red, Winston Churchill is born at Blenheim Palace, and St Paul’s Cathedral Choir School is built. In 1968, to cope with the huge demand for London...
1930 was the year that welcomed Mickey Mouse, football’s World Cup – and a national hostelling movement in Britain. It was 88 years ago that the association came into being, two decades after a similar concept had begun in Germany. We had a clear mission from the...
