Introduction
Hello… and a very warm welcome to the spring issue of The Journey. Spring is many things — a period of reawakening for nature, of course, but also a time for many of us to reinvigorate our hopes and plans. As the days continue to lengthen and the countryside around us grows greener, the prospect of adventure always seems that much more tangible.
Keeping this front of mind, we’re highlighting some of the best getaways in England and Wales for cyclists, ranging from mountain-bike challenges to hostel-to-hostel day rides. In the same outdoor spirit, you’ll also find a spotlight on nine hostels ideally placed for keen wild swimmers.
With summer sidling ever closer, meanwhile, we also have a three-page special on the many joys of the Cornish coast, where some of our most uniquely located hostels can be found. There’s also space for an overview of some of our most common and most colourful spring wildflowers, as well as an exclusive interview with the naturalist Nick Baker, whose passion for wildlife remains undimmed since he first appeared on our TV screens in the 1990s.
As ever, you’ll also find Let’s Go! — our pull-out section for young hostellers — and a look at some of the most useful outdoor gear on the market, here with a focus on trail running. Here’s to a wonderful spring. Happy reading.
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Highlights from this issue of The Journey
Walking trails accessible by train in the UK
Rail Walks is a new resource website encouraging people to use the railway to get walking — and you can help. Think of all the stops on your last train journey. Those remote places where no one...
Best places to go walking in London in spring
London wears its charms well in spring — particularly when you’re on a proper wander. This seven-mile walk begins and ends at one of our key properties in the capital, YHA London Central, but...
Cycling experiences across England and Wales for 2025
Love cycling? You're in the right place. Check out these cycling experiences across England and Wales this year...
The YHA guide to the Cornish coast
Cornwall’s coastline doesn’t do things by halves. The county itself might be tucked away in the corner of the UK map — parts of it being so far south that they enjoy their own microclimate — but...
How to pack for a camping trip in the UK
Any YHA Camping & Cabins stay gives you the bonus of using the hostel facilities including showers, drying rooms and self-catering kitchens. If you're going camping, here's our guide to what to pack.
9 hostels for outdoor swimming
The rise in popularity of wild swimming has been unavoidable. It's invigorating, fun and great for our wellbeing. Few people return from a dip in a river, lake, sea or lido without rhapsodising...