The Journey: 90th anniversary
Hello and welcome to this 90th anniversary issue of The Journey.
In 1930, the collective will of a group of far-sighted men and women brought YHA to life. At the heart of their plans was an organisation that would bring adventure and opportunity into the lives of those who needed it most. It’s an ethos we still stand by – and today more than ever.
We’re incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved over the past nine decades, and we’re doubly determined to make the next chapter of our story a powerful force for good.
In these pages you’ll find memories, hope, inspiration and a positive outline for the future. Happy reading!
Articles for this edition of The Journey
Then and now
We're celebrating 90 years of adventure for all. Take a look at then and now – our trip back in time offers a taste of how life has changed during YHA's history. 1930 Price of a pint of beer: Approximately 5p Take in the view: Blackpool Tower (158m/518ft) UK...
Interview with Ray Mears
We speak to Ray Mears – TV presenter, author and Fjallraven’s bushcraft ambassador – on why now is the perfect time to be focusing on the small details of nature, and what we can learn from other cultures and their relationship with the land. How did you get your...
The biggest issues
Lord John Bird MBE is a campaigner, social entrepreneur and life peer. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Big Issue, and a lifelong advocate of YHA. He spoke to The Journey while at a critical point in helping to push through the Ride Out Recession...
21 adventures for 2021
Set yourself a challenge for 2021 and tick 21 amazing adventures off your list...1. Find the county’s highest pointWherever you find yourself this year, turn it into a little treasure hunt by reaching the highest point of the county you’re in. If you’re in Cumbria,...
90 fun ideas
On our 90th anniversary, we thought it would be the perfect time to list 90 of our favourite things to do. 1. Climbing a tree 2. Baking a cake 3. Listening for woodpeckers 4. Playing an instrument 5. Learning a new language 6. Eating something you’ve cooked...
Amazing animal journeys
This magazine is called The Journey. We gave it that name because staying with YHA is all about discovering new places and having new experiences. But we humans aren’t the only ones to make special journeys. Here are four extraordinary animals who make incredible...
All together now…
The YHA Songbook was first published in 1952, and it remains a fondly remembered part of our past. Picture the scene. It’s the 1950s, and you’ve arrived one autumn evening at a YHA hostel in the Lakes. The welcome is a warm one. The warden takes your details,...
Exclusive interviews from recent magazines
For the past five years, our magazines have featured exclusive interviews with some truly inspirational characters. Here’s a selection of the messages they’ve shared with us.Chris Packham Presenter and naturalist“To stimulate interest in the natural environment...
Turning the page
Much like our hostels, the YHA magazines like the one you’re reading now have gone through various iterations over the decades. They’ve always aimed to inspire and inform. Here’s the cover of our very first magazine.“Breakfasted, Booted and ON THE MARCH” By...
The history of YHA
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...
Founding figures
The official opening of Maeshafn youth hostel on 4th July 1931. Tom Fairclough, Rev HH Symonds and Berta Gough are all present. From the beginning, YHA has always been a grassroots organisation. Its formation came about thanks to people all over the country – of...
Grand designs
Our hostels span several centuries of different design trends. The hostels in our network are united in terms of their values, their purpose and their spirit of welcome. But they differ from each other in countless ways. From Swiss-style chalets and former schools...
Carry on stamping
Guests have been collecting stamps at YHA hostels for more than 80 years – and the tradition continues. Everyone loves the chance to reflect on where they’ve been. It was back in 1939 when the first YHA hostel stamps were issued, and they quickly became a point of...
A letter to YHA supporters
Our 90th anniversary year has been very different to the year we imagined, writes Chief Executive James Blake. The challenges are more significant than ever, but our mission has never been more important. YHA is a national charity determined to stay at the...
Your memories
From our longest-serving members to our youngest school groups, we always love receiving your letters and emails. Here's a recent selection. Dear YHA, Seventy years ago, in September 1949, my mother and godmother set off on a cycling adventure of Cornwall. They...
Walking side by side
Seventy-five years on, their smiles are still contagious. This hale and hearty group of YHA members are pictured in around 1945, engaged in the simple act of enjoying the outdoors. The support of our members has always been integral to everything we stand for as a...