After years of camping in the UK(that’s camping and definitely not glamping)we thought it was time to find a new challenge - Youth Hostelling. So hubby joined the Youth Hostel Association and for our 2 week summer holidays, we took a road trip round Britain, taking in a couple of Youth Hostels.
Our first Youth Hostel experience was in Sheringham, Norfolk, following a stint camping with friends. We walked into and nearly straight out of our allocated room(some hostels have been recently refurbished and this one clearly hadn't) but the 11yo felt at home immediately having just done a year 6 trip to a youth hostel.
Our family room had 2 bunks with a double bed on one of the lower bunks with a sink in the room. We had to make our own beds, but once we’d done that it felt cosy enough. The wc and showers were shared, but very clean. But the facilities were great, a laundry room, communal kitchen, communal dining room, lounge, games room and a restaurant (with very restricted hours, meals have to be pre-booked)
Our family room had 2 bunks with a double bed on one of the lower bunks with a sink in the room. We had to make our own beds, but once we’d done that it felt cosy enough. The wc and showers were shared, but very clean. But the facilities were great, a laundry room, communal kitchen, communal dining room, lounge, games room and a restaurant (with very restricted hours, meals have to be pre-booked)
Crabbing in Norfolk
The communal facilities make it really easy to talk to other people, It's much easier to talk to people at a youth hostel than in a hotel.
Our second stop was Scarborough, we tried to get into the Boggle Hole Youth Hostel-on the beach next to Robin Hood's Bay, but it was fully booked. But here we had an archery lesson by fellow guests and Belgium national champions and learnt the difference between a Jelly bow, a long bow, a recurve bow and a compound bow, and had our meal serenaded by a Saxophone.
The kids run free off with other kids. The fun is in the kitchen making evening meals and packed lunches whilst comparing notes on walks, visitor attractions and local produce. It's even a snapshot into other people's cooking habits- from sardines eaten out of a can to home made beef stew and advice on how to cook samphire. People actually talk to each other.
Scarborough is a great base to explore Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay
The clientèle is a weird but fun mix of people from lone mature travellers, backpacking European youths, large youth groups, and families just like us.
Everyone is friendly. It's a cheap holiday- when you've got 3 kids and face having to get 2 rooms in a hotel. It's all clean (although could do with an overhaul) and the ethos is great.
And what's more, it's a great alternative to hiring a cottage.
Highly recommended!
Everyone is friendly. It's a cheap holiday- when you've got 3 kids and face having to get 2 rooms in a hotel. It's all clean (although could do with an overhaul) and the ethos is great.
And what's more, it's a great alternative to hiring a cottage.
Highly recommended!
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