Blog

Why you should Book Direct

We all go to booking sites for accommodation, however I add another step and I think you should too…   I use the booking sites to find suitable available accommodation, then I google the accommodations name, look past all the Ads and I place my booking direct. This has led to some startling results over the years. 

Read more

why should i book direct

Save Outdoor Education Centres & Support Hostels

Outdoor education centres are closed and hostels are missing out on a significant client in schools.  These closures are due to the Government preventing schools from undertaking any overnight trips now and throughout the current academic year.

Read more

coasteering Arete Centre

Celebrating the Year of the Rat at Clink 78

January has been an interesting month for me. The first day was spent in an Ecuadorian embassy and the last weekend in a London courthouse. Luckily for me I was free to leave at any time. Here’s how London celebrated Chinese New Year, as seen from our visit to the Clink Hostel.

Read more

year of the rat celebrations in London

Adelina Patti, History Tours at Craig Y Nos Castle

Adelina Patti made Craig Y Nos Castle into her lavish home. Although nearly forgotten now, in her time Adelina was the worlds first celebrity. Latter the castle became a TB hospital. It is now an idyllic wedding venue and has a great value bunkhouse in the old nurses accommodation. A history tour of the castle is run every morning and if you are staying in the bunkhouse you can join the tour for free.

Read more

Theatre built by Adelina Patti

A Few Days in Kettlewell

For Sandy and I, our goal was simple. To complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. We had last made the round of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough back in the summer of 1984 soon after we had first met. Now, 35 years later, it was time for another go!

Read more

Kettlewell Hostel

A Welsh weekend getaway

Read about Judes birthday get-away to the North Wales Coast. Traveling by public transport, camping lite with the aid of Platts Farm and with multiple sightings of a strangely familiar seagull. Jude gives the low down on great places to visit around Conway and Llandudno.

Read more

Scottish Gardens of the Far North

We were on a four day expedition to visit the Scottish gardens of the North. The hostel accommodation provided by Helmsdale Hostel was comfortable and fun and the gardens were aglow with colour.

Read more

busy bee in Scottish Gardens

Another Bob Graham attempt?

This time it was Mary’s fault. She wanted a training weekend in preparation for the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa, a stunning multi day run in Switzerland and Italy. I was keen to join her as last time I didn’t see the views,

Read more

Bob Graham Round from The White Horse Inn Bunkhouse

How to be a green hosteller

Congratulations! By choosing independent hostels you are already one step towards being a great green hosteller! However here are 10 more things you can to do become a truly green traveller.

Read more

Exploring Manchester Inner City Culture

We booked into Hatters on Hilton Street and as the night drew in we wandered deeper into Manchester city, to find somewhere tranquil to admire the city lights . At around 9 pm the city seemed to come to life.

Read more

ross bryant profile photo