Recently I spent a weekend in Hull. It’s a stunning little city with a Marina, fabulous architecture and excellent museums. We stayed at Hull Trinity Backpackers Hostel, handy for all the attractions of Hull. My particular highlight was The Antarctic Legacy of Shackleton at the Maritime Museum.
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Exploring the Shetland Islands by bus
Using public transport on our Shetland adventure, was a great way to meet people and get off the tourist routes. It also made the ferry crossing great value, and we discovered the secret to cheap car parking at Aberdeen Ferry Terminal.
A Walk of Art from Derwentwater Independent Hostel (Now Closed)
If you like to walk from the door, and explore more thoroughly the stories behind the landscape, then you might be interested in an 8 mile circular walk which starts and finishes at Derwentwater Independent Hostel (Now Closed), in the heart of the Lake District National Park.
Breakfast at Corran House
Stopping off overnight at Corran House Hostel, on my way to the Isles, it struck me what a simple solution they provide for breakfast, (read on to find out more). Part of a grand Victorian terrace on Oban’s waterfront, Corran House provides great value accommodation in private and shared rooms.
The Coast is Our Compass
Martyn Howe, long-distance hiker and life Member of the South West Coast Path charity, shares the story of his pilgrimage along the world’s longest coastal path in this recently published book. Our favourite part is when he told us how surprised he was by the number of Independent Hostels he stayed in along the way.
Alex and Jaffa visit The Star Bunkhouse in Bwlch in The Brecon Beacons National Park.
For the next Alex and Jaffa adventure we were invited to stay at The Star Bunkhouse in Bwlch in The Brecon Beacons National Park and joined a walk around Talybont on Usk lead by The Forest of Dean Ramblers.
Short Break at Hurdlow in the Snow; an Alex and Jaffa Adventure
Heading down the Roman Road in the moonlight night we turned off to Hurdlow and the Royal Oak Bunkhouse. The pub was a wintry scene with snow all around, warm coal fire and a full Derbyshire breakfast..
Two Family Holiday – at Tarset Tor Bothies
On a recent visit to Tarset Tor Bunkhouse and Bothies in Northumberland, I realised what a hidden asset a bothy at Tarset Tor is for two families who like to holiday together. Anyone who has ever had kids will know that the best times are had when the children have play mates and the adults can relax.
Go Ape in Grizedale and a great place to stay with self catering accommodation
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.
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 you never know what the weather is going to bring, and headed west. With me […]
