Many of our hostels still bear green plaques outlining YHA’s charitable objectives. They include the following words: “The buildings are diverse in character, but they have a common purpose: To help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, and appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities.”
YHA’s mission remains the same today. The network in 2023 also has an extraordinary assortment of buildings. There are converted castles and hunting lodges, gothic mansions and old farmhouses. There are hostels in cities, villages, on mountainsides and cliff tops, by rivers and on moorland. On page 26, we look at nine hostels with incredible views. YHA Treyarnon Bay, pictured here, is one of the loveliest, sitting just 50 metres from one of Cornwall’s best beaches.
YHA exists to connect people to each other, to culture, to heritage, and to nature and the outdoors. And it’s hard not to feel connected when the view from the window is so life-affirming.
What’s your favourite YHA window to look out of when staying with us?
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