The Journey: spring 24
Hello… and a very warm welcome to the spring issue of The Journey. Spring is many things — a period of reawakening for nature, of course, but also a time for many of us to reinvigorate our hopes and plans. As the days continue to lengthen and the countryside around us grows greener, the prospect of adventure always seems that much more tangible.
Keeping this front of mind, we’re highlighting some of the best getaways in England and Wales for cyclists, ranging from mountain-bike challenges to hostel-to-hostel day rides. In the same outdoor spirit, you’ll also find a spotlight on nine hostels ideally placed for keen wild swimmers.
With summer sidling ever closer, meanwhile, we also have a three-page special on the many joys of the Cornish coast, where some of our most uniquely located hostels can be found. There’s also space for an overview of some of our most common and most colourful spring wildflowers, as well as an exclusive interview with the naturalist Nick Baker, whose passion for wildlife remains undimmed since he first appeared on our TV screens in the 1990s.
As ever, you’ll also find Let’s Go! — our pull-out section for young hostellers — and a look at some of the most useful outdoor gear on the market, here with a focus on trail running. Here’s to a wonderful spring. Happy reading.
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Articles for this edition of The Journey
Opening YHA’s heritage archive
“Far from the noise and smell of traffic, theirs for a day, the freedom of mountains, moor or open road. Whether one hikes or bikes, pedals or paddles, the end of the day will bring a common need: the need for rest, food and shelter.” So opens the narration of a...
Walking trails accessible by train in the UK
Rail Walks is a new resource website encouraging people to use the railway to get walking — and you can help. Think of all the stops on your last train journey. Those remote places where no one gets off, or those town stations that seem to appear out of nowhere...
Outdoors together – The Outdoor Connection event 2024
Connection was the key theme at YHA Chester Trafford Hall in early March, when YHA and All the Elements delivered the second edition of a vital networking event. The Outdoor Connection — first held in 2022 — brought together community leaders from across the...
Walk of the season: Regent’s Park and surrounds
London wears its charms well in spring — particularly when you’re on a proper wander. This seven-mile walk begins and ends at one of our key properties in the capital, YHA London Central, but steers clear of the big-ticket riverside sights in favour of some of the...
Q&A with Nick Baker – one of the UK’s leading naturalists
Nick Baker found fame on the BBC’s Really Wild Show, which he co-presented for a decade from 1996 to 2006. Long established as one of the UK’s leading naturalists, he has authored more than a dozen books and serves as vice-president for Buglife, the RSPB and the...
Cycle experiences for 2024
What is that you love about cycling? The muscle-popping ascents or the white-knuckle offroad downhills? The mammoth distances you can cover in exploring Britain from a new perspective? The thrills (and occasional spills) of bike parks? Or maybe the gentle family...
The wonderful world of winged animals!
Spring is when the natural world bursts to life. Leaves start unfurling, wildflowers start blooming — and wings start whirring! From flip-flapping butterflies and buzzing bees to speedy swallows and noisy cuckoos, our skies and gardens become busy with birds and...
Fascinating facts about the Eiffel Tower & The Shard
It’s exactly 135 years since the Eiffel Tower opened in spring 1889. Today, it still stands high and mighty in Paris, the capital city of France. But what do we know about this incredible structure, and how does it compare with London’s tallest building, The...
How to find north in the night sky
A clear spring night can be a fantastic time to stargaze. The sky is full of different constellations, but one of the easiest to spot is Ursa Major. Also known as the Plough, or the Big Dipper, it’s made up of seven bright stars. It looks a bit like a saucepan! All...
The YHA guide to the Cornish coast
Cornwall’s coastline doesn’t do things by halves. The county itself might be tucked away in the corner of the UK map — parts of it being so far south that they enjoy their own microclimate — but once you get down here, the rewards come super-sized. Its coastline...
Nine hostels for outdoor swimming
The rise in popularity of wild swimming has been unavoidable. It’s invigorating, fun and great for our wellbeing. Few people return from a dip in a river, lake, sea or lido without rhapsodising about the joys of the experience, so grab your Dryrobe and book into...
How to identify spring wildflowers
Every year, spring arrives in technicolour: bright petals and sunny blooms appear in verges and hedgerows, dotted over clifftops and forest floors, shimmering across city parkland and steep hillsides. More than 1,000 species of wildflower can be found in the UK....
Essential trail running gear you should try
Running off-road is a joy. It’s also a full immersion in the vagaries of the British outdoors. As such, trail running gear needs to give you the confidence that you’ll be dry and warm, that you can carry what you need, and that you’ll stay on your feet when things...
How to pack for a camping trip
More than 25 hostels in our network will offer YHA Camping & Cabins this spring and summer. Any camping stay with YHA gives you the bonus of using the hostel facilities, including showers, restaurants, drying rooms and self-catering kitchens. Alongside spaces...
Win! The ultimate summer hiking bundle from ACAI Outdoorwear
Can you put these National Trails in order of length? There are 16 National Trails across England and Wales, as well as the soon-to-be-completed King Charles III England Coast Path. As of March 2024, these trails cover a combined distance of around 5,800...