YHA Blog
It might be the chilliest time of year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun outside. Try our winter scavenger hunt – how many of these things can you do where you are... Look for a pinecone. Can you see which tree it fell from? Look for a spider’s web. Can you...
Our reader’s picture this issue comes from Emma Johns. “I thought I would send this picture of our daughter Ella at 10 weeks on her first YHA trip, to YHA Hartington Hall in the Peak District.”What a cutie! Do you have a great...
Four outdoor items put through their paces by The Journey team.Ortlieb Atrack ST 34L Waterproof BackpackOrtlieb.comThe Ortlieb Atrack looks unlike any other backpack or waterproof bag – and works unlike any other. Ortlieb, pioneers in waterproof packs, have created...
Clear evenings are perfect for stargazing. Dr Sheila Kanani of the Royal Astronomical Society guides us through Britain’s night sky and teaches us how to stargaze. Astronomy can be hugely rewarding, whether you have a substantial telescope and accessories such as a...
Oh, the joys of a hostel to yourself! More than 100 of our hostels for Exclusive Hire are open over the winter months. From historical cottages to mountain lodges – giving you, and your friends and families, free rein over accommodation in some of the most...
A winter trip to the UK countryside can showcase the landscape at its most beautiful. We speak to five hostel managers to find out their reasons to like winter.Lake District YHA Keswick Rachael Kirkby, hostel manager “A reason to like winter is because winter is...
Some mammals, like hedgehogs and dormice, hibernate in winter. This means that they spend the coldest months of the year resting somewhere safe and warm. Their heartbeat and their breathing both slow down whilst they hibernate. Hibernation is a bit like a really...
Winter can be a difficult time for birds. They need to eat lots of winter bird food, for energy and warmth, but the days are colder and darker. We can help by leaving out things for them to feed on. If you have a bird-feeder, remember to keep it nice and full with...
The South West’s biggest city is a gem, but knowing where to start your explorations can be tricky – we take three separate city tours to give you some guidance.Tour 1: Bristol street art tourJohn Nation points up at the wall and explains that the artwork splashed...
A new year, a new decade, a map full of possibilities. 2020 is shaping up to be a special one for both England and Wales – and don’t just take our word for it. Lonely Planet recently named England the world’s second best tourist destination for the year ahead,...
Hostel Manager Stewart Towe looks after three of our Pembrokeshire properties, and as if that weren’t enough, he’s also a helmsman at the local RNLI lifeboat station. He’s this issue’s hostel hero. Stewart Towe is a busy man. He manages a trio of coastal Welsh...
Looking for something special for a loved one – or even a chance to treat yourself? These stocking fillers ideas are guaranteed to please outdoor-lovers.Fantastic Female Adventurers This new book by Lily Dyu traces in detail the life stories of 14 inspirational...
