We had an amazing time at the National Outdoor Expo 2025!
A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by, joined the excitement, and entered our competition.
You made the event unforgettable!
All posts by Sam Dalley
Clun Mill Youth Hostel and Dalby Forest Youth Hostel get a new lease of life
Following purchase from the YHA by the owner of Youlgreave Youth Hostel. these two hostels are now looking for friendly wardens to allow them to be opened up to individual hostellers once more.
Tha Last Clarion House
On the side of Pendle Hill, in the heart of Pendle Witch country, lies a historic remainder of the roots of socialism. What’s more if you happen to be passing by on a Sunday afternoon they will serve you with a cup of tea.
Would you like to operate the amazing MalhamTarn House as a hostel?
Returned to the National Trust after 75 years as a field centre, Malham Tarn House is now looking for a new lease of life that will provide public benefit and operate as a viable business, and the Trust says “We would definitely consider it for Hostel use”
When is a hostel not a Youth Hostel?
When thinking of sleeping in bunks, shared kitchens and the camaraderie of telling travelling tales around a fire, for most people, the word Youth Hostel springs to mind.
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.
Parliamentary Reception, 23rd April 2024
On 23rd April 2024 Sarah Dines hosted a parliamentary reception on behalf of Independent Hostels UK. Here are copies of the speeches made at the event, the accompanying report containing up-to-the-minute data from the industry, and photos and videos of the event posted on social media.
An illuminating insight…
We couldn’t be more pleased with this article from Ethical Consumer. An in-depth view of the unique network of independent hostels and bunkhouses in the UK.
The Future is Bright for Hostelling.
Hostelling is in better health than it’s ever been. There are more hostels now than at the height of the youth hostel movement, in the 1950’s . And while the YHA closes more hostels, the independent sector is blooming.
Latest YHA hostel sales present a golden opportunity
In June 2023 the YHA announced that it is taking a step back from the management of a third of its properties in England and Wales. 20 of these youth hostels are now for sale, each one presenting a golden opportunity for those wanting to escape the rat race.
Why Book Direct ?
Many hostels and bunkhouses try to keep their prices lower on their websites than on Booking.com or Expedia, so you’re more likely to get a better deal when booking directly, which you can via the Independent Hostels website.
Hostelling Together – a united approach to recovery
The pandemic has brought together youth hostels and independent hostels across the UK. With their emphasis on social interaction hostels have been uniquely hit and are vital for the recovery to come.
Help for Scottish Hostels but what about the rest ?
Scottish hostels have been supported with a £2.3m fund from the Scottish government. But what about the rest of the country?
Support Our Hostels
It has been a tough summer for all accommodation businesses, but the worse effected are hostels and bunkhouses. This unique style of accommodation needs support from the Government to get them though the winter. There is a motion in Parliament and we need your help now. Read on to find out how.
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.
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.
There’s no Restriction on Armchair Travel.
Reading, dreaming and planning holidays with your friends has got to be good for the spirits. Read on to claim your copy of the Independent Hostel Guide (available free during the Coronovirus lockdown).
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.
Tip, the brave little collie, and her 15 week vigil, on bleak Howden Moor
Here is the story of Tip the dog, who stayed for 104 days with the frozen corpse of her master on the hills above the Derwent Dams. Joseph Tagg, the shepherd who got caught out on the moors, used to stay occasionally in a lean-to at the end of the old barn on Lockerbrook Farm. The barn was demolished in the 1970s, but last month one of Lockerbrook’s volunteers rescued a little stone drinking trough and returned it to Lockerbrook to mark the 65th anniversary of the discovery Tip alive and by her masters side. If you bring a group to stay at Lockerbrook Outdoor Centre you can visit Tips grave and sleep in a room named after the loyal collie.
How the most remote hostel in Wales achieved 10,000 overnights after being rescued from closure by volunteers.
Ty’n Cornel hostel has welcomed walkers, cyclists and other visitors since 1967. Since 2007 it has been operated entirely by volunteers through Elenydd Wilderness Hostels, a charitable trust.
The Lonely Tree of Llanfyllin
A story of a local landmark and the attempt to save it. The Lonely Tree was an iconic part of the community and the fact it was horizontal was not stopping anyone! It was entered into the competition to be Welsh Tree of the Year in the October after it blew over, and won! Then in 2015 it was entered into the European Tree of the year competition. This is a story of community endeavour, tenacity and wishful thinking. It only needs a Hollywood ending to finish the tale.
