YHA Blog
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! When you think of the festive season, one of the first things to spring to mind is a fantastic fir tree, covered in shining lights, sparkly baubles, and a bright star at the top. But where did the Christmas tree tradition of...
Christmas is the time for festive cheer and decorating our homes with fairy lights, Christmas trees, wreaths, and a blow-up Santa or two. But many of us don’t think to forage in our gardens or local areas for delightful organic greenery that can be used...
The festive season is all about spending time with family and making memories which will last a lifetime. A great way to do this is by making Christmas crafts with help of the little ones, and decorate your home, just in time for Santa’s arrival.Colourful Christmas...
(Sings) Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…or maybe not. Christmas isn’t everyone’s favourite celebration. We get it. If getting together with difficult relatives, bickering over the last pig in blanket or suffering through a double bill of a soap fills you with...
With its luxurious Roman Baths and stylish Georgian buildings, Bath looks gorgeous in any season. If you’re looking for a winter break with added dazzle, look no further than Jane Austen’s favourite city with 10 things to do in Bath in winter. Bath is great fun for...
YHA wasn’t alone in celebrating its 90th birthday last year. The same milestone was also reached by hostelling fan Edith Gray, of South London, who remains an enthusiastic advocate for budget adventure in the UK. As recently as October 2020, in fact, just a month...
How many of you would think of yourselves as children of YHA? My story begins in the early days of YHA, as my grandparents met in the walking group of YHA Ealing in the late 1940s. I imagine that, after the end of World War II, many people were re-connecting with...
This year marks our 90th anniversary as an organisation, but YHA’s story stretches back even further – and it’s seen more twists and turns than a switchback mountain trail. Here’s the full timeline of our evolution, from the first years of the 20th century to the...
What better way is there of seeing off 2022 in style than booking a large holiday rental in the UK over the festive season, to share with loved ones? But with many large holiday rentals in the UK already booked out for December, what are your options if you are...
With YHA properties throughout England and Wales, exploring the regions at Christmas time is easy. Here’s why each region is well worth the visit this December and where you can rest your head after a day of festive fun. We ho ho hope you enjoy.North WestWhether...
Did you know that YHA is 90 next year? Time flies when you’re having fun. This December, we will be marking our 90th anniversary of the first local meeting to investigate the possibilities of a British Youth Hostels Association in Liverpool, 12th December 1929. It...
Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, capped by the highest mountain in England and Wales, is a wild area – with a wildly diverse range of activities. Planning a trip? Here’s what you need to know...For familiesEryri (Snowdonia) holds big things for little people. Those...
