The YHA, known for offering affordable and unforgettable adventures, is in the process of selling 20 properties
Rick Johnson, reminiscing about his youth hostel experience in 1966, recalls embarking on a thrilling adventure to the Lake District at the age of 16. Using savings earned from his supermarket job, he meticulously planned the trip after being fed up with mundane family beach vacations. Johnson fondly remembers the strict no-alcohol policy in the hostels, which, along with the presence of a responsible warden, likely contributed to the parents’ approval of the journey. In a bittersweet turn of events, the YHA, renowned for providing affordable and unforgettable experiences, is currently selling off 20 properties.
Taking inspiration from Arthur Ransome’s adventurous novel “Swallows and Amazons,” Rick Johnson and a friend embarked on a two-week journey exploring the fells, staying in various dormitories provided by the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) each night. Recalling their quest to Lake Windermere without a yacht, Johnson fondly reminisces about successfully renting a boat.
For lifelong hostellers like Johnson, the recent news of the YHA selling off 20 out of its 150 hostels in England and Wales is disheartening. The YHA, established in 1930 with the mission of encouraging greater appreciation and care for the countryside, has been cherished for its freedom, affordability, and strong sense of community. However, citing the pandemic and ongoing financial pressures, the YHA faces the difficult decision of parting with some of its properties.
For Johnson, now 73, this experience undoubtedly ignited a profound love for the natural world. Having moved to Lancaster around 20 years ago, partly to be closer to the enchanting Lake District, he fondly recalls the adventures that involved staying in hostels over the years. Sadly, in recent years, he developed osteoporosis, which has prevented him from hiking, but his passion for the Lakes and maps remains unwavering and enduring.
Ella, a 38-year-old business analyst from Manchester, has embraced the joy of exploring diverse landscapes across the country through cycle touring, thanks to the opportunities provided by hostels. She highlights how hostels have been instrumental in facilitating her journeys by enabling her to plan routes without the burden of carrying camping gear or spending exorbitant amounts on accommodation. Instead, she has relished the affordability of hostel stays, typically costing around £12 per night.
Among her memorable experiences, one that stands out is a hostel stay in Port Eynon, south Wales, during a cycling holiday with a friend in 2013. Ella vividly recalls arriving at a picturesque white building during the late, dusky hours. The hostel was nearly empty, with only one person working there. Despite the lack of provisions, their experience turned magical as they were able to purchase a bottle of wine and some food from the staff. They spent the evening in the hostel’s common room, sipping wine, and gazing out over the sea, creating a truly special and unforgettable memory.
According to Ella, the hostel, a converted old lifeboat station, stands out as one of those enchanting places that seem to be discovered only through YHA-hopping. She describes the charm of the location, noting that the tiny bedrooms allow guests to hear the soothing sound of waves nearby.
Hostels have given Ella the opportunity to explore remote and off-the-beaten-path destinations that she might not have visited otherwise. She appreciates how they enable her to plan routes and map out her adventures, and she laments that the selling off of hostels in unique locations leads to a reduction in the map’s coverage.
What makes hostels particularly special for Ella is their affordability and communal atmosphere, which allows her to meet diverse and interesting people in ways that wouldn’t typically happen in a B&B or budget hotel. She fondly recalls a memorable encounter with an entire theatre group in Arnside, Cumbria, who were practicing their lines in the kitchen. For Ella, youth hostels hold a unique and cherished place in her heart.
In addition to providing memorable adventures, hostels can also serve as a safe haven when things go wrong during expeditions. Evelyn Stanley, a tech worker from London, recounts a challenging experience during her Duke of Edinburgh expedition in the Brecon Beacons (now called Bannau Brycheiniog) in 2007. At the age of 16, she and her friends realized they had misread their map and ended up around 10km away from the designated campsite where they were supposed to meet their teachers. With the sun setting and no cell signal to call for help, they found themselves arguing on a rainy hillside.
However, their luck changed when they spotted a YHA hostel in the distance. Despite lacking money to pay for accommodation, they hiked over to the hostel and explained their predicament. Instead of turning them away, the hostel staff displayed incredible generosity. They offered the group a free stay in their barn dormitory and allowed them to use the phone. This act of kindness left a lasting impression on Evelyn, who was amazed to discover that such places existed for young people in need.
