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.
Mines and Mountains Weekend 2010
Coniston Holly How
Find out why Coniston Old Man is hollow, how man shaped the mountainscape and why the copper miners left their shoes behind on the last day of work 100 years ago, on this mines and mountains weekend in the Lakes
Two days of field trips will cover some of the highest slate workings in England, and also the extensive copper mines in the Coniston area. There will also be evening talks.
The cost includes accommodation and course fees. Meals are available but not included.
2 nts: 08.10.10
Price: £55
Tel: 0845 371 9511
Email: conistonhh@yha.org.uk
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Gourmet Cumbrian Food Weekend
Coniston Holly How
Taste some of Cumbria’s finest produce on a gourmet weekend designed to tantalise your tastebuds! Supporting local farmers and businesses, this popular annual event aims to source the tastiest treats for your table from within the county.
Your food safari begins on Friday evening with a buffet and on Saturday the fine dining includes a six-course banquet.
Breakfasts will include some of the finest sausage, bacon and black pudding that you are likely to find.
Packed lunches are not included.
2 nts: 05.11.10
Price: £100
Tel: 0845 371 9511
Email: conistonhh@yha.org.uk
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Coniston Mines and Mountains Weekend
Coniston Holly How
Find out why Coniston Old Man is hollow, how man shaped the mountainscape and why the copper miners left their shoes behind on the last day of work 100 years ago on this mines and mountains weekend in the Lakes.
Two days of field trips will cover some of the highest slate workings in England as well as extensive copper mines in the Coniston area. There will also be evening talks.
The cost includes accommodation and course fees. Meals are available but not included.
2nts: 09.10.09
Price: £50
Tel: 0845 371 9511
Email: conistonhh@yha.org.uk
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Sing your heart out in the heart of England
Stratford Upon Avon
Whether you like singing in the shower or have experience of performing with a choir, this singing workshop at YHA Stratford will tune up the tenors and get beginners belting out a classic.
If you fancy yourself as a pro or just want to get some tips on how to stay in tune, this workshop is for you. You’ll meet people of different musical abilities and get to sing songs from around the world.
Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January.
£75.00 per person full board, including workshop and buffet lunch before departure on Sunday.
Extend your stay and discover the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Additional nights available from £19.95 per person including breakfast.
Tel: 0845 371 9661
Email: stratford@yha.org.uk
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Gourmet Cumbrian Food Weekend
Coniston Holly How
Taste some of Cumbria’s finest produce on a gourmet weekend designed to tantalise your tastebuds! Supporting local farmers and businesses, we aim to source the tastiest treats for your table from within the county.
Your food safari begins on Friday evening with a buffet and on Saturday evening the fine dining includes a six-course banquet. Breakfasts will include some of the finest sausage, bacon and black pudding you’re likely to find.
Book early to avoid disappointment as this annual event is now becoming very popular. All meals included except for packed lunches.
2nts: 06.11.09
Price: £80
Tel: 0845 371 9511
Email: conistonhh@yha.org.uk
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Cumbrian Winter Warmer
Coniston Holly How
Forget the shopping and escape to the country for a weekend to get you into the festive spirit. On arrival, we’ll warm you up with mulled wine and mince pies. With bumper breakfasts, locally sourced, and a five-course banquet on Saturday night, you’ll not go hungry.
Local attractions include the Santa Specials on the Ravenglass Railway. If you would like extra thrills, give us a call and we can arrange some outdoor action for you!
2nts: 04.12.09, 11.12.09, 18.12.09
Price: £65
Tel: 0845 371 9511
Email: conistonhh@yha.org.uk
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Eye on Port Eynon art classes
Port Eynon
Experienced Swansea artist Mary Hayman hosts arts classes for adults at YHA Port Eynon, formally the Old Lifeboat House. Perched on the edge of the bay on the Gower peninsula, it’s the perfect location for beginners and experienced artists alike to show off their creativity.
2nts: 01.10.09 – 'Patterns of the seashore'
Price: £99.85
For more information on the courses please contact Mary Hayman on 01792 644570 or email marihayman@hotmail.com
To book accommodation please contact YHA Port Eynon.
Tel: 0845 371 9135
Email: porteynon@yha.org.uk
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Gliding lessons
Bridges Long Mynd
Learn to fly with the Midland Gliding Club, situated on the Long Mynd just a few miles from YHA Bridges.
Gliding courses are available for beginners from March to October, while trial lessons are available at weekends throughout the year.
Lessons should be booked in advance but last minute bookings may be available. Over 14s only.
Call 01588 650206 for more information. For accommodation contact YHA Bridges:
Tel: 01588 650656
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YHA Kington 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: 0845 371 9053
Email: kington@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: 0845 371 9341
Email: salcombe@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: 0845 371 9335
Email: newcastle@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: 0845 371 9008
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: 0845 371 9633
Email: edmundbyers@yha.org.uk
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