The Journey: spring 21
Hello… and a very warm welcome to the first issue of 2021 of The Journey. The past year has been a challenge unlike any other, but it’s also been a time of resolve, and as chinks of sunlight continue to shine through the clouds, we want to join you in facing the future with enthusiasm and hope. One of our central tenets – that everyone is welcome – has never felt more important. Friend, it’s really good to see you.
The landscapes and cities of England and Wales are as full of drama and spectacle as they always have been. Our National Parks still rumble out to the horizon. Our coastal cliffs still tower over the sea. Our forests still sprawl, our rivers still flow and our walking trails still wind across the countryside. And we’re still here too, now a full 90 years to the good, determined to continue our work in bringing adventure and opportunity to the people who need it most.
Back in January of this year, when the national lockdown was announced, the temporary closure of our hostels meant we were left with £11,000 of pre-ordered food and no hostellers to serve it to. When our supplier suggested we donate it to food charity FareShare, it felt 100% right.
We share this story here as a way of showing that, when there are problems to be overcome, working together can be a powerful thing. The future still holds uncertainty, but we know that by continuing to find a common cause with our partners, our fantastic staff and volunteers, our donors and of course you, our much-missed members and guests, the months and years ahead can hold great things.
We’re enormously proud of our network of hostels, and the endless potential they hold for building memories and experiences. From Cornwall to Northumberland, Eryri (Snowdonia) to the South Downs, and the Peak District to the Lake District, we’ll continue to be here for you, offering escape and adventure at an affordable price.
In this issue you’ll find thoughts on the future, a range of inspiration for your coming travels, our regular Let’s Go! section for young hostellers, and an interview with Marian Spain, chief executive of Natural England. We hope you enjoy the read.
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Articles for this edition of The Journey
Three cheers for fresh air
Spending time outdoors is one of the healthiest things we can do. But why? It improves our mood When we stay inside all day, we can sometimes feel stressed or tired without really knowing why. When we play outside and feel the breeze in our hair and the sunlight on...
Facing forwards
What does the future hold for YHA – and what makes it such a resilient organisation? We asked two of the people who know it best.Duncan Simpson YHA historian, writer and former hostel manager “When news of the pandemic first broke, I talked with friends and old...
A world of hostellers
In 2022, Hostelling International (HI) will celebrate its 90th anniversary. Over those nine decades, the organisation will have brought together more than 70 National Youth Hostel Associations, collectively covering more than 3,000 hostels. Across the planet, the...
Three new books to inspire you
For many of us, our travels over the past year have come through the pages of books. Here are three recent titles that we highly recommend.The Flightless Traveller By Emma Gregg (Quercus Books) The airline industry has come under the spotlight in recent years, and...
The great bird migration
Some birds, such as robins and blackbirds, live here in the UK all year round. Others spend the winter in other parts of the world, then come back every spring to enjoy the warm weather. We call these birds migrants – and below are four of our...
9 hostels for a great escape
2021 is going to be the year of the Great (British) Escape. An escape from the stress of the past 12 months and, frankly, just a change from your home. We’ve picked out nine hostels in out-of-the-way locations for long walks under big skies, reading books in cosy...
How to… identify butterflies
The sight of rainbow-hued wings flip-flapping along hedgerows is one of nature’s surest signs that the warmer months have arrived. But do you know your brimstones from your blues? Here are nine of our most common butterfly species – see how many you can spot this...
Edith Gray: 90 years young
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...
Green generations
Thousands of young people from diverse backgrounds are being given the chance to connect with nature. Good news hasn’t always been easy to come by recently – but here’s an exception. More than 100,000 young people are being given the opportunity to connect with...
Q&A with Natural England’s chief executive
Marian Spain knows a thing or two about the importance of the great outdoors. As chief executive of Natural England – the government's adviser on the natural environment – she also has a CV that includes work with Plantlife International, the New Forest National...
Coastal inspiration
Rarely straight, rarely level, rarely dull: following coastal paths is markedly different to following inland paths. Trails along cliff edges and beaches are less purposeful, more whimsical, and often exist for no other reason than the views they offer, and the...
Give your stay some shine
Just look at the gleam on that bodywork. These handsome Airstream caravans are now available as glamping accommodation at YHA Eden Project in Cornwall. Dating from the 1950s and 1970s, the American caravans are renowned for their shiny aluminium exteriors – but...