Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the YHA?
  
  Its full title is the Youth Hostels Association of England and Wales. Most people have heard of the YHA and many will have stayed at a Youth Hostel at some time in their lives, yet too few have a really clear picture of what the modern YHA has to offer. Images are too often false or outdated - of spartan surroundings, rules and regulations and a belief that Hostels are only for young people. Today's Youth Hostels are friendly, comfortable, safe and secure, and welcome people of all ages. There are currently 200 Youth Hostels in England and Wales; many of them are situated in our National Parks. If you would like to find out more about the YHA then why not try their very informative website at http://www.yha.org.uk
  
  
• What does the group do?
  
  The group's aim is to organise at least one hostelling weekend per month plus a week-long holiday which is traditionally a hostel-to-hostel trek somewhere interesting in Britain, or sometimes abroad. There are often Sunday walks and five to six social events per year; these include meals out at various locations, a summer barbecue, cinema trips and a Christmas party.
  
  
• What is a typical hostelling weekend like?
  
  These start on Friday evening and finish on Sunday afternoon. Friday evening is spent travelling to the hostel, settling in and winding down. Saturday will normally see a walk starting mid-morning and finishing late afternoon. A lazy dinner will normally be followed by a visit to the local pub or a relaxed evening's laughter and conversation in or around the hostel. On Sunday the group will normally visit a local attraction - often combined with a short walk and/or pub lunch before everyone goes their separate ways. Overall emphasis is on relaxation and enjoyment. Activities are moderately paced for this very reason. You are, of course free to do your own thing if you wish. See our quarterly newsletters for reports of previous hostelling weekends.
  
  
• What is a typical Youth Hostel like?
  
  Well, there is no such thing as a typical hostel. Each hostel has its own special character, varying from stone cottages, to Victorian mansions and striking new buildings. Some are in castles, mills, rectories and manor houses; others are converted from schools, chapels or farm buildings. Some are even National Trust properties.
  
  
• What are the members like?
  
  We have members aged from six months to sixty! We have Civil Servants, Graduates, Engineers, Housewives, Nurses, Teachers, etc. We have boisterous members and quiet ones, fools and philosophers. We have members who have moved to London, Wales and even Holland, who still go hostelling with us! Some of our members have met their husbands or wives in the group and still come hostelling with us with their young families.
  
  
• What are members' obligations?
  
  None whatsoever. Members are encouraged to organise occasional social events for the enjoyment of all, but there is no pressure.
  
  
• How will I be kept in touch?
  
  The annual programme is decided sometime over the Christmas period and published in January. Members will also receive a quarterly newsletter, which details forthcoming events and any changes or additions that may have occurred. Details of each hostelling weekend are sent out separately by the respective organisers, well in advance of the event.
  
  
• How much will it cost me?
  
  Membership is currently £6.00 per year for an adult member with a reduction for those under 18 and over 65. Hostelling charges are standard YHA. The average cost of a weekend is around £35. You no longer have to be a YHA member to stay at one of the Youth Hostels although at some there may be an additional charge (around £3). Their website will give you all the necessary details. http://www.yha.org.uk