youth hostels, the history, people and ideas behind them
Barclay Baron, first chairman of the Youth Hostels Association (YHA), in his later years recalled that YHA could not have chosen a more difficult time to start than 1930. His reflection of the beginning of youth hostels seems reasonable. We have an impression of the years that followed, up to the second world war, as... Continue Reading →
A guest post from John Martin Descriptive studies of individual hostels are one of the most popular features of this site. John Martin, YHA's hon archivist, has kindly put together a guest blog about these profiles with a full list of all those available at this time - the list grows constantly - and where... Continue Reading →
"Each member is required to carry out hostel duties as directed by the warden"* What do you remember about youth hostel chores? Washing up or dusting down? The daily chore was the centre piece of staying in a hostel from 1930 until at least the 1980s. Everyone swept, mopped, polished, scrubbed, or did any one... Continue Reading →
Perspectives of travel among youth hostel members in England and Wales in 1938 drawn from YHA's annual report of that year.
A new and illustrated edition Events change, times move and the up to date becomes old news. We all face the slow fade of what was new and exciting into rubbed, dull life so it's inevitable to want to revive and renew when time has passed. Open to All was published four years ago. Readers... Continue Reading →
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