Go Ape was just 35 minute drive from our self catering accommodation at Witherslack’s Cycle Barn. The Cycle Barn is dog friendly and on our Go Ape adventure days we parked at kennels close by and left our dogs there for safe keeping.
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Holiday at the White Horse in the Northern Lakes – an Alex and Jaffa adventure
I planned a weeks break at the White Horse Inn Bunkhouse, in the Northern Lakes, to celebrate my Birthday with family and friends. Of course Jaffa my dog came along too and another friend bought their dog Banjo. We took some lovely walks from the doorstep, up the mountains of Blencathera and Skiddaw and around the Lakes at Ullswater and Derwentwater.
Whatever happened to YHA Ridgeway?
Although much used by schools, I am glad to say that the hostel is still available to individuals walking the Ridgeway or anyone who fancies a night or two in rural Oxfordshire. There are private rooms, a self-catering kitchen with stunning views and an amazing place to eat and chat under the timbers of the old barn.
Walking in South England
Seasoned American hiker, Melanie, tells of her experiences walking in South England.
A literary break in Nidderdale, the heart of Yorkshire
Our book group has being going for 5 years now and every year we have dreamt of getting away together for a weekend of chat, walking, book talk and maybe just a little bit wine! At last, in 2017, most of us have kids who can be left with dads and husbands who are capable of surviving a weekend with the kids so we decided to go for it and Nidderdale Bunkhouse provided the perfect location.
Holiday near Tenby
The Stackpole Centre is a National Trust group accommodation center and cottage in a unique landscape on the stunning south Pembrokeshire coast. We spent a family holiday here at the beginning of the summer holidays and found so many brilliant things to do.
Host a Christmas House Party
Would you like to share the load of hosting Christmas for your family and friends? Here is our guide to hosting a Christmas House Party showing how to enjoy Christmas in a spectacular winter setting, with room for your loved ones to come along.
Travelling in the UK – Food and Drink
An overseas visitor’s impression of the food and drink enjoyed while walking on the long distance paths.
Enjoying the beauty of Bath on a budget
‘Backpackers’ and ‘budget’ might not be the first words that come to mind for people familiar with the beautiful Somerset-city of Bath. A place with an architectural style and an atmosphere that makes you feel much further south in Europe. Bath is simply unique and certainly a classy city – but it’s still possible to experience this place while travelling on a budget, which I recently discovered while spending a night at the Bath YMCA.
Greenman Backpackers (CURRENTLY CLOSED) : historic accommodation in Chepstow
Independent Hostel’s blogger Brian Schafer Dreyer stayed at the historic Greenman Backpackers in 2017. The pub then provided hostel accommodation in Chepstow on the England- Wales border. He discovered the river Wye, Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey just a short bus drive away.
Elterwater Hostel – Why a hostel is so much better than a B&B or holiday cottage.
Hired sole use Elterwater Hostel becomes a huge holiday cottage with its own dedicated cooks and housekeepers. A house of your own in the stunning valley of Elterwater set among the Langdale Mountains.
Tremadog, Porthmadog and the Traeth Mawr Estuary
Tremadog, Porthmadog and the Traeth Mawr Estuary are inextricably bound up with the 18th Century developments of James Maddock, Lawrence of Arabia and a legendary Welsh prince. Find out more about the legends and history of Wales.
Dog Friendly Bunkhouse, Rhayader: An Alex and Jaffa adventure
For our next adventure, Jaffa and myself were invited over to Mid Wales to stay at Beili Neuadd Bunkhouse a dog friendly bunkhouse near Rhayader. The Saturday morning arrived and we packed up with mixture of clothes and outdoor gear, as Read the full article…
Skiddaw House – Music on the Mountain
I had seen maps of Skiddaw Mountain showing the lonely Skiddaw House 1500m up on the mountainside miles from any road. I have admired photos of this old keepers house it its isolation but I was still unprepared for my first sighting of it.
Alex and his dog “Jaffa” are great fans of Independent Hostels
Alex and his dog “Jaffa” are great fans of Independent Hostels. They often escape to a hostel or a bunkhouse for a weekends walking and find them a great source of dog friendly accommodation. Not that all hostels and bunkhouse will take dogs, but over 100 of them do. Read on to find out about Alex and Jaffas adventure and see a map showing dog friendly hostels and bunkhouses in the UK.
Dolgoch Hostel family holiday
Dolgoch has been owned and run by the Elenydd Hostels Trust since 2007 and in that time many improvements have been made; the gas lighting has been replaced by LED lighting powered by solar panels, the new hot showers are similarly powered by solar panels. The roof was replaced and the track to the hostel from the road was resurfaced. Self contained less able accommodation has been installed. Here is the story of Katy Cliffe’s family holiday at Dolgoch in May 2017.
Walking in Suffolk along the Deben Estuary
Owen Peters finds out about walking in Suffolk along the Deben Estuary from Felixstowe to Woodbridge.
Lollis Homestay Dresden
I’m a 15 year old student who earlier this year took a trip to Dresden in Germany and Stayed in Lollis Homestay. I received a very warm welcome and met lovely people at Lollis Homestay, and would love to go back or do something similar in the future.
The Wicked Ways of the OTA’s
If I could only say one thing in this blog, I would say beware of booking.com. Be aware that the minute you list a single bed with them, direct bookings from returning guests and word of mouth referrals will start to come to via booking.com. You lose 15% and booking.com gets the upper hand.
Ty’n Cornel Hostel – A YHA retrospective
Spread the word, tell everyone you know, the story of these valiant little hostels, still battling on, to provide peace and space for those who need it. Run by volunteers and compelled to leave the YHA, read the history of these two farmhouse hostels in the Elenyedd Wilderness. Then come to visit, bring your friends and your family’s and come to the wild Welsh wilderness.
A Glenprosen, southern Cairngorms getaway
Janet Hollins and her husband enjoyed three days at Prosen Hostel surrounded by the stunning Angus Glens, Glenprosen and southern Cairngorms scenery
