Youth hostels were always international. In the years either side of the second world war young people went to France, to the Netherlands, to Belgium, Ireland, Norway and Germany. They went for leisure. They went for fun. Some went in the hope that their actions could create peace. They went to restore or reopen youth... Continue Reading →
The overland trail to India
In 1961 a small group of youth hostel members went east, aiming to promote youth hostels, travel, and better relations between east and west. They went along the overland route to India, later known as the hippie trail but they were not hippies. They were more earnest. They had official backing and they were a... Continue Reading →
So, "what's next." Now that I've finished Open to All, a few people have asked what I plan next and this is a kind of answer. I've been looking around, visiting archives, reading books, mulling options. I've been to the Cadbury Research Library, reading old records again. I've been down to London, to the Friends... Continue Reading →
Chance discovery
Discoveries come by chance, information falls in our laps like Newton's apple. The story of Frederick James Catley was one of those chance discoveries.Catley lived in Bristol. He was born about 1910 and worked in a bookshop in the city. At weekends he went with friends walking in the surrounding countryside. When war came in... Continue Reading →
Open to All: reader reviews
"A fascinating account of the history of the YHA, beautifully written..." "enjoyable, accessible... a "must have" for anyone with more than a passing interest in YHA..." "a truly impressive piece of research with detailed biographies of the key players involved in this fabulous institution that has given so much pleasure to so many of us."... Continue Reading →
SIMPLY HOSTELS 