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 start – aims we still steadfastly adhere to today – and had big plans, opening 73 hostels in 1931 alone. It was an inauspicious start, with a handful of them closing in the first year, but over the intervening decades we’ve built the network into one we’re truly proud of.
What’s more, three of those original hostels are still open today…
YHA Bridges
Stay at YHA Bridges
YHA Idwal Cottage
Our longest standing hostel in Wales – YHA Idwal Cottage offers spectacular Snowdonia accommodation for activity breaks in the Ogwen Valley. Follow in the footsteps of YHA’s founders and relive the walks and scrambles enjoyed by the Merseyside Group in those early years. This welsh beauty is still very popular today, just as it was all those years ago.
Stay at YHA Idwal Cottage
YHA Street
And finally… YHA Street. Opened in 1931, this Somerset stunner is the oldest YHA hostel and is still in operation today, and makes for the ideal location for a countryside getaway, with plenty of walking and cycling routes nearby. This beloved spot has been given a complete refresh bringing the interior up-to-date while retaining the charm of the original chalet.
Stay at YHA Street
