Special Interests

If you have a certain passion that you want to indulge during your holiday, look no further than this selection of specialist activities.  History lovers can soak up the culture on organised field trips.  Food and drink connoisseurs can enjoy an evening sampling the best local offerings with fantastic entertainment.  If you enjoy themed events then murder mystery weekends and seasonal festivities are frequently on offer.

Free pick 'n' mix local activity packs

Kington

To explore the local area around Herefordshire at your own leisure, YHA Kington offers guests a series of five self-led pick ‘n’ mix activity packs.  Choose from:

  • Hearty Herefordshire (local food & drink)
  • Hedonistic Herefordshire (local outdoor activities)
  • Historic Herefordshire (local historic buildings)
  • Holy Herefordshire (local churches, abbeys & cathedral)
  • Horticultural Herefordshire (local gardens)

To receive a free e-copy of any of these, please email YHA Kington

Tel: 0870 770 6128
Email: kington@yha.org.uk

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Whitby Jet

Whitby

Whitby jet has a reputation as the best jet in the world and became popular with Queen Victoria.

Today, there is talk of a revival of the jet industry in Whitby with new, inspiring contemporary designs.

This three night escorted tour includes beachcombing for jet, private viewing of Victorian jet, a visit to a jetworks of yesteryear and free time to enjoy the local area.

The price includes B&B, two evening meals at YHA Whitby and one at the famous 'Magpie Cafe'
 
3nts: 09.09.08 and 18.11.08
Price: £189 per person

Tel: 0870 770 6088
Email: whitby@yha.org.uk

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Whitby - Victorian Photography - Frank Meadow Sutcliffe

Whitby

Learn about the life and works of the famous Victorian photographer who was awarded medals from around the world.

This three night escorted break includes an illustrated talk, tour of Sutcliffe's Whitby haunts, a free copy of Sutcliffe's book of photographs and free time to enjoy the local area.

The price includes B&B, two evening meals at YHA Whitby and one at the famous 'Magpie Cafe'
 
3nts: 16.09.08 and 04.11.08
Price: £189 per person

Tel: 0870 770 6088
Email: whitby@yha.org.uk

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Whitby Christmas Package - 'A Dickens of a Christmas'

Whitby

Enjoy a relaxing Christmas break in Whitby with good food and yuletide festivities.

Sit back and enjoy entertainment from a 'Christmas Carol' in performance (one man show), seasonal reading from Dickens, carols around the Christmas tree with mulled wine and mince pies and join in the traditional Boxing Day dip in the sea (optional)

Includes free time for you to enjoy the local area.
 
3nts: 24.12.08
Price: £198 per person, full board including Christmas dinner

Tel: 0870 770 6088
Email: whitby@yha.org.uk

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Winter Warmer Specials

Coniston Holly How

Escape from the bustle of Christmas shopping and get into the festive spirit Cumbrian-style with a gourmet get-away to remember.

This special two-night package includes a festive Saturday evening 5-course banquet featuring the best local produce, preceded by mulled wine in front of the fire. Breakfasts are also included, with locally sourced treats.

Festive attractions running locally are the Santa Specials on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway!

2nts: 05.12.08 and 19.12.08
Price: £60 per person

Tel: 0870 770 5770
Email: conistonhh@yha.org.uk

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A Ghostly Feast at Hartington Hall

Hartington Hall

At Halloween all the Hartington resident ghouls came out to play. The ancient Hall is decorated with pumpkins, skeletons and spiders webs and horrific food is served including brains stew, bat wings & werewolves eyeballs. Candles glow, the fires burn and creepily dressed figures roam. A night to haunt your very dreams.
 
Friday 24th October 2008
Price: £10.95 for 3 courses (under 10s ½ price)

Dressing up encouraged! Non-residents very welcome. Booking essential.

Tel: 0870 770 5848
Email: hartington@yha.org.uk

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Pembrokeshire Island Escape

Manorbier

Enjoy a great escape for families and individuals exploring two beautiful but very different islands off the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast.

Skomer Island is one of the most important wildlife sites in Europe, just a 15 minute boat ride from Martin’s Haven and Caldey Island is an equally short boat trip from Tenby, and home to a priory of Cistercian monks. For more information on both islands visit YHA Manorbier's web page.

2nts: Any dates between Easter and the end of September
Price: Adults £99, Under 18s £79

Price includes two nights full board accommodation, all boat and landing fees.  Guests will need to make their own way to the harbour.

In case of extreme wind boat crossings may be cancelled, but YHA Manorbier can help you arrange alternative activities locally.

Tel: 0870 770 5954
Email: manorbier@yha.org.uk

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Find your roots - family history weekend for beginners

Stratford Upon Avon

The first footsteps in tracing your roots, you’ll learn how to get started and explore sources for family history research. Your tutor will introduce websites with advice on how to find the information you need, and provide suggestions for the presentation of your family history and family tree. You’ll also have an afternoon free to explore to explore Stratford upon Avon.

Please bring information about your own family with you, especially copies of any family documents such as birth/marriage/death certificates and census extracts.

2nts: 01.08.08
Price: £96.50

Price includes two nights bed and breakfast accommodation, welcome drink on Friday, lunch and dinner on Saturday and morning coffee Saturday and Sunday.

Individual computers will not be available but you are invited to bring laptops to research online via WiFi.

Tel: 0870 770 6052
Email: stratford@yha.org.uk

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Discover, Explore and Learn with the National Trust

Salcombe

Why not Discover, Explore And Learn With The National Trust And YHA Salcombe? You can volunteer for a half or full day and explore some beautiful coastal landscape. 

Local National Trust warden Andrew Marsh takes pre-arranged groups into the local area to bracken-bash, pond-dip, learn rural skills and beach-clear.  It’s an excellent way to explore the area and learn new skills at the same time. For more details please email Andrew at andrew.marsh@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Tel: 0870 770 6016
Email: salcombe@yha.org.uk

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To Die For... Murder Mystery weekends

Cambridge

Run without outside actors. You and the other participants play character roles in an intriguing murder plot. This package includes two nights B&B and an evening meal on the Saturday night.

Price: Adults £106.40, under 18 £94.40
Private twin rooms are available for £225

Please contact YHA Cambridge for dates

Tel: 0870 770 5742
Email: cambridge@yha.org.uk

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Look and Sea at Port Eynon

Port Eynon

Arts activities for adults - enjoy two days of drawing and painting on the Gower coast with experienced Swansea artist Mary Hayman. Explore and draw the village and beach of Port Eynon and capture the changing light of the bay from the window of YHA Port Eynon. Experiment with watercolours, pastels and much more. Suitable for complete beginners and experienced artists alike.

3nts: 16.09.08
Price: £99.85

Tel: 0870 770 5998
Email: porteynon@yha.org.uk

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Surf and Sea Life

Newcastle

A fantastic break for families, friends and groups. Learn to surf or brush up on your technique with surfing lessons at Tynemouth and marvel at the under-water world in the Blue Reef Aquarium while staying at YHA Newcastle.  Package includes 2 nights bed and breakfast accommodation, all surf equipment hire and admission to the aquarium.

2nts: Any dates this season
Price: Adults £59, Under 18s £51

Tel: 0870 770 5972
Email: newcastle@yha.org.uk

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Cumbrian gourmet food weekend

Coniston Holly How

Indulge yourself in a weekend of Cumbria’s finest food and drink at YHA Coniston Holly How. From locally smoked products, meat from the fells, countywide cheeses, washed down with fine ales – we will take you on a taste journey. Organic vegetables grown close to the village and organic flour ground by waterwheel will also feature. Breakfasts will showcase the finest bacon – produced by Jamie Oliver’s friends!

2nts: 07.11.08

Full board, including a seven-course dinner on Saturday night.

Price: £90.00

Tel: 0870 770 5770
Email: conistonhh@yha.org.uk

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Hill Scrambling Weekend 18+

Elterwater

Find out what it's like to get off the beaten track and tackle a mountain summit via a recognised scramble route. This small group adventure holiday set in the craggy mountain landscape of the Langdale Valley will give you a real taste of scrambling in the hills.

2nts: 05.09.08
Price: £155

For further information and to make a booking Tel: 01254 690691 or Email: info@country-adventures.co.uk

Tel: 0870 770 5816
Email: elterwater@yha.org.uk

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Fishing and Boating Weekend

Exford

This two-day course will cover all the basics of fishing, including how to assemble the equipment and how to cast, all in the beautiful setting of Wimbleball Lake in the Exmoor National Park. Best of all, at the end of the day you’ll be able to take one fish back to YHA Exford where a member of staff will cook it for you.

Selected weekends from April to October 2008, please contact YHA Exford directly for more details.

Price: £163.00 Full Board

This package is also available at YHA Minehead

Tel: 0870 770 5828
Email: exford@yha.org.uk

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Great Gardens of Wales

Llanddeusant

Visit some of the most interesting and newly developed Gardens of Wales.  Begin at Aberglasney on the Saturday, a garden lost in time, abandoned for 50 years and newly restored and enjoy an excellent lunch here.  Then go on to enjoy a tour of the National Trust property and grounds at Dinefwr. On Sunday visit the world famous National Botanical Garden of Wales and experience plants from all over the world in a dramatic setting, benefit from the expertise of a local guide.

2nts: 13.05.08 and 05.09.08
Price: £55.00 per person (includes accommodation, entry and tours of attractions. You will need to provide your own travel and food)

Tel: 0870 770 5930
Email: llanddeusant@yha.org.uk

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High flying

Broad Haven

This course with Big Blue Kitesurfing, offers an introduction to kite sports leaving you with all the skills you need to practice safely on your own.  It covers the basics of power kiting on the beach before introducing a mountainboard to master using the kite to power movement. 

Then, after a bit of practice, we combine all the skills to master getting up on the board and moving along on the water. There's a lot to learn in two days but the three day course gives you a bit more time to practice!

For further information visit www.bigbluekitesurfing.com
For information on YHA accommodation in the area click here.

3 night/2 day course 
Catered: Adult £325, U18 £315
Self-catering: Adult £280, U18 £270

4 night/3 day course
Catered: Adult £435, U18 £425
Self-catering: Adult £375, U18 £365 

To book please contact Sue Jervis at YHA Broad Haven.

Tel: 0870 770 5728
Email: broadhaven@yha.org.uk

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Wet and Wild in Wales

Broad Haven

DAY ONE - Choose between:

Jet Therapy – your own jet boat special. A unique combination of spectacular scenery and specialised jet manoeuvres; experience the thrill of Hamilton turns, the G force of hydroplaning on the open sea as you jet over some of the most challenging waters in the UK.

Or

Wildlife Adventure – explore coves and caves only fully accessible by shallow draft jet RIBs, negotiate strong tides with specialist skippers. Close up encounters with seals, porpoises and seabirds, plus sightings of Puffins and diving Gannets. Regular sightings of whales and dolphins.

DAY TWO
Saddle up! Sycamore Ranch trail rides will take you along ancient bridleways in some of the best outriding in west Wales. Take in stunning open countryside and ride western style using western tack.

For further information on the activities visit www.venturejet.co.uk and www.sycamoresranch.com
For information on YHA accommodation in the area click here.

3 nights/2 days
Catered: Adults £145, U14 £135  Self-catering: Adults £100, U18 £90

To book contact Sue Jervis at YHA Broad Haven.

Tel: 0870 770 5728
Email: broadhaven@yha.org.uk

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Trout Fishing

Edmundbyers

In conjunction with Derwent Reservoir Ranger Team
Day permit - 8 Fish from £16.50
Concessionary rate - 8 fish from £14.50
Stress Buster - 4 Fish from £13.50

For further information Tel: 01207 255250
2nts: March - November
Accommodation from £26 per person


Tel: 0870 770 5810
Email: edmundbyers@yha.org.uk

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Eco-working holiday

YHA Lockton

Enjoy a holiday with a difference in the North York Moors National Park. Take in the spectacular scenery and unique heritage of the area while helping the environment. Project work will consist of helping to maintain Public Rights of Way in the village of Goathland, host to the television series ‘Heartbeat’. There will also be a free day for you to explore the area at your leisure and you can take part in a badger watch as well as other social activities.

7nts: 18.07.08
Price: £195 (Age 18+)
Price includes transport to and from York train station, accommodation and all meals.

For more information and to book contact the North York Moors National Park on 01439 770657 or email ecoholiday@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk

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Christmas/New Year 2008 at Hartington Hall

Hartington Hall

Plan ahead for a magical Christmas and New Year 2008 in the festive surroundings of YHA Hartington Hall, with log fires, mulled wine and glittering decorations.

Christmas package
Arrive 24 December for afternoon tea at 3.30pm, departing 27 December after breakfast.  Package includes 3 nights accommodation, breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner and evening supper.

New Year package
Arrive 30 December for afternoon tea at 3.30pm, departing 2 January after breakfast. Package includes 3 nights accommodation, breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner and evening supper.

Price: Adults £192, 12-18yrs £149, Under 12s £115

Click here for full details of the two packages

Tel: 0870 770 5848
Email: hartington@yha.org.uk

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YHA Cambridge Christmas package 2008

Cambridge

Leave the stress of cooking and washing up behind this year. Come and enjoy a charming Christmas in Cambridge. Take a walk along the river Cam to Granchester, or take part in the carol service at Kings College Chapel.

3nts: 24.12.08
Full board, including Christmas dinner
Price: Adults £114.00, under 18 £99
Private twin rooms are available for £259.00

 

Tel: 0870 770 5742
Email: cambridge@yha.org.uk

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