Quality educational visits 2022-2026

YHA is at the top of the class for educational visits. More than 60 of our hostels across England and Wales have received a Learning Outside the Classroom Award.

Best Residential Experience 2025

We're delighted to have been selected as a finalist for Best Residential Experience in the School Travel Awards 2025.

Best Hostel in Wales 2025

We're delighted that YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass earned the the title of Best Hostel in Wales for the second consecutive year at Hostel World's HOSCARs Awards 2025.

Hostel of the year 2025

YHA Borrowdale was the winner of hostel or bunkhouse of the year at The Great Outdoors Awards 2025, thanks to its "location, reasonable price, comfortable rooms and good food".

Outstanding Achievement 2024

We're pleased to have been highly commended in the Outstanding Achievement category at the British Youth Travel Awards 2024.

Autism Friendly Award 2024

At YHA, we are committed to creating an autism-friendly environment. We're proud that YHA London Thameside has achieved an Autism Friendly Award.

Best Residential Experience 2024

We're delighted to have been selected as a finalist for Best Residential Experience in the School Travel Awards 2024.

Best Hostel in Wales 2024

Traveller votes and reviews earned YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass the title of Best Hostel in Wales at Hostel World's HOSCARs Awards 2024.

We invest in people, Gold 2013-2024

Investors in People's Gold accreditation means that YHA has the policies in place but, more than that, it means everyone – from CEO to apprentice – takes ownership for making them come to life.

B2B Marketing Campaign 2023

YHA were awarded the gold standard for our schools marketing campaign in The Travel Marketing Awards.

Best Residential Experience 2023

We're delighted to have been selected as a finalist for Best Residential Experience in the School Travel Awards 2023.

Travellers' Choice 2023

Many of our hostels have been selected as a Travellers' Choice in 2023 and before thanks to their place among the best rated listings on TripAdvisor. Reviews are submitted by guests, so thank you.

Hostel of the year 2022

It's amazing location and excellent customer service won YHA Borrowdale the top spot in the hostel or bunkhouse of the year category at The Great Outdoors Awards 2022.

Big Impact 2022

We were proud to be recognised for the Generation Green project as a finalist in the Big Impact Award category at the ThirdSector Awards 2022.

Tourism Superstar 2024

Peta and Andy Nugent, hostel mangers at YHA Boggle Hole, were selected as finalists for the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar Award 2022.

Inclusive Employer 2022/23

Inclusive Employers are experts on workplace inclusion and ensuring all employees are valued and contribute to the success of their organisation. YHA is an active member.

Employer of the Year 2021

YHA won Employer of the Year and Best Community Outreach Programme at the HIT Heroes Awards 2021. Hospitality Industry Training (HIT) is the leading training and apprenticeship provider for UK hospitality.

Best Residential Experience 2019/20

YHA was recognised as the Best Residential Experience provider for a second consecutive year in the School Travel Awards 2019/20. We were over the moon!

Best Residential Experience 2018/19

YHA was awarded Best Residential Experience provider at the School Travel Awards. In the year before, almost 100,000 school children stayed on a YHA school trip.

People's Choice Award 2018

YHA won the People’s Choice Award at the British Youth Travel Awards – thanks in no small part to the supporters who voted for us. A win like this helps put YHA on the map as a leading national charity for young people.

Best Use of Search 2018

Alongside our digital agency, Found, YHA won Best Use of Search in the Third Sector category at the European Search Awards 2018. This award recognised the sophistication of YHA’s search marketing.

Best Marketing 2017

We achieved second place at the British Youth Travel Awards for our 48 hours campaign.

Best Marketing 2016

We were delighted to win the Best Marketing category at the British Youth Travel Awards in 2016.

Outstanding Achievement 2015

YHA received the Outstanding Achievement award at the British Youth Travel Awards in recognition of our 85 years working to help people explore, learn and travel throughout England and Wales.

Green Accommodation Initiative Finalist 2015

Each year, STAY WYSE recognises organisations that are committed to reducing their environmental impact and focusing on green travel. Several YHA hostels were finalists.

Best Company One to Watch 2015

Narrowly missing out on the Time Top 100 Best Companies, YHA achieved One to Watch status in 2015.

Best Companies 2012-2015

Best Companies helps organisations measure, recognise and improve employee engagement rates. YHA has been recognised as a Best Company for three consecutive years.

RICS Awards Finalist 2015

The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land property, construction and built environment. Shortlisted for YHA Black Sail and YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass.

Best Experiential Marketing 2015

YHA were awarded the Best Experiential Marketing Award for the RunYHA event and campaign.

Best UK Hotel 2014

En-suite bathrooms, Wi-Fi and cool decor means that Guardian readers voted YHA the winner of the best UK hotel in 2014.

Best Walking Accommodation 2014

YHA Black Sail and YHA Borrowdale were runners up for Best Walking Accommodation in The Great Outdoors Awards 2014.

Innovation in Marketing 2014

Yet another gong for the LiveMore Road Trip, YHA picked this one up at the Global Youth Travel Awards which celebrates excellence in youth, student and educational travel.

Best Marketing 2014

YHA were awarded the Best Marketing Award for the LiveMore Road Trip which saw an unsigned band take to the road in a camper van, gigging at YHA hostels along the way.

Best Use of Social Media 2014

YHA achieved second place for the Best Use of Social Media at the Travel Marketing Awards 2014 for their coverage of the LiveMore Road Trip.

Women 1st Shine Award 2014

Caroline White, YHA's Chief Executive, was included in the Top 100 most influential women in leisure, tourism and hospitality in the Women First Shine Awards 2014.

Top 100 Best Not-for-Profit 2013

YHA reached number 69 in The Times Top 100 Best Not-for-Profit Organisations to Work For in 2013.

Benefits Excellence Award 2013

YHA was awarded the Benefits Excellence Award for our commitment to providing excellent benefits packages to our staff.

Approved Activity Provider

YHA is an approved activity provider with the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE), offering Gold residentials and regular volunteering.