The Journey: winter 22
Hello and welcome to the winter issue of The Journey.
As we settle into the new year, and even turn our antennae towards the earliest signs of spring, it’s worth remembering how much there is to enjoy about the British winter. This is traditionally a time of rest, recuperation and resolution, but it’s also a fine time for wrapping up, getting outdoors and enjoying the subtle, shifting beauty of the leafless landscapes and winter skies.
In this issue, we look at various ways of making the most of the UK in the colder months, picking out some of the best rail journeys in England and Wales, highlighting nine hostels perfect for winter getaways, and exploring a few alternatives to the country’s honeypot hiking locations.
Elsewhere we interview Amira Patel – known as Amira the Wanderlust – and Alex Staniforth, both of whom are hugely inspiring advocates of the outdoors. You’ll find the usual news and reviews, as well as Let’s Go!, our special pull-out kids’ section – and there’s also the chance to win one of five fantastic framed YHA artworks.
Enjoy the read, and we’d like to take this chance to wish you a safe and happy 2022.
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Articles for this edition of The Journey
Discovering Hadrian’s Wall
Rising and falling across the map from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, the 73-mile Hadrian’s Wall – or at least what remains of it – can date its origins to precisely 1,900 years ago, when Hadrian himself came calling and decreed the construction of a barrier “to...
All means all: access, inclusion and the power of community
By YHA Chief Executive James BlakeIn YHA, we have a 90-year history of quiet radicalism. Not beating down the doors, or shouting from the rooftops, but pursuing practical change with steady determination.We were founded in 1930 on a principle of inclusion. It is...
Become a YHA Virtual Adventurer
Take on our charity challenge and help us raise vital funds! Looking for a worthwhile challenge this winter? February sees the launch of YHA's Virtual Adventurer: Pembrokeshire edition, organised in partnership with mapping platform UltraBritain. Marking the second...
Amira the Wanderlust: growing a community through the outdoors
In August 2020, on an Instagram post, Amira Patel wrote: “Diversifying the outdoors one step at a time. Being a hiker and a Muslimah does have its struggles as it’s something not many people see, but I don’t let this stop me. I don’t let my hijab, my clothing or my...
Seven ways to enjoy the ‘Natural Health Service’
Alex Staniforth is a YHA ambassador and co-founder of Mind Over Mountains, a charity dedicated to restoring mental health through enjoying nature. Here, he shares seven tips for the year ahead. The idea of nature as a route to wellbeing is hardly novel. Most of us...
Memorable rail routes in the UK
England and Wales are both packed with memorable rail routes – lines that connect city, coast and countryside to often spectacular effect. Some are short rides that trundle through shapely landscapes, others are map-spanning journeys that cross multiple counties....
Magical Moon facts
Winter is the perfect time to wrap up warm and enjoy the wonders of the night sky. On a clear evening in the countryside you might spot hundreds of different stars, but there’s one object that shines bigger and brighter than any of them: the Moon. Here are some...
It’s the Year of the Tiger
The Moon plays an important role in the traditional Chinese calendar, which is based on where the Moon and Sun are in the sky. This means that Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year) always takes place several weeks after our own New Year’s Eve.Each year...
Wonderful winter wildlife
Every spring and summer, birds like swifts and swallows fly here from hotter parts of the world, as part of their yearly migration. But did you know that some birds only visit the UK in the colder months? Here are some of the wonderful winter wildlife that pays us...
Alternative walking spots in England and Wales
There tend to be good reasons why honeypot walking locations are so popular: they might be the highest, or the easiest to get to, or the most obviously beautiful. But with popularity comes crowds. Every summer, we read stories of queues to get to the top of Yr...
9 hostels for winter getaways
We’ve pulled together nine great hostels ideally placed for winter getaways in the UK. From city breaks to coastal hideaways, and from active outdoor destinations to cosy lounges with roaring fires, you’ll find the perfect off-season getaway.YHA London Oxford...
How to start climbing
The health benefits of climbing are clear. It improves strength and cardio fitness. It also refines problem-solving and hand-eye coordination. However, the real bonus could be restoring mental health. This was the driver that inspired long-time friends Matt Birch...
Tried and tested: winter outdoor items
Outdoor items put through their paces by The Journey team.Hydro Flask Insulated Food Jar trekitt.co.ukA long winter walk – your boots muddy, your lungs filled with ice-cold air – is a gently life-affirming experience. And there are certain things that only enhance...
Your memories of YHA
Each issue we publish a reader’s picture that’s grabbed our attention. Share your adventures with us by emailing [email protected] or tweet using the hashtag #LiveMoreYHA.This issue’s Reader’s Picture comes from Paul Radford, who captured this peaceful scene...