A summer bucket list for families

How many people can say they’ve had a sleepover in a real castle? With YHA, you can! YHA St Briavels Castle is a 12th-century fortress turned into a unique family hostel located in a National Landscape. Kids can explore turrets, spot arrow slits, and imagine life as a knight or princess, while adults enjoy stunning countryside with plenty of walking trails nearby. It’s history, adventure, and a one-of-a-kind overnight all in one. 

Bucket list bonus: Don’t forget to stargaze from the castle courtyard as the Wye Valley is a designated Dark Sky Reserve. 

There’s nothing quite like a coastal walk in the summer sun, and YHA’s seaside locations offer some of the best. Stay at YHA Manorbier in Pembrokeshire, where a short walk will take you to stunning beaches, craggy cliffs, and panoramic ocean views. Pack a picnic, bring your walking boots, and let the salty air blow the cobwebs away. 

Bucket list bonus: Try rock pooling at low tide where you might find starfish, crabs, or even the occasional sea anemone! 

Ditch the swimming pool and dive into nature! Wild swimming is a brilliant way to reconnect with the outdoors and refresh body and mind. YHA has locations near some of the UK’s most beautiful swim spots. Head to YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe in the Lake District and enjoy a dip in the nearby lake, or stay at YHA Dartmoor for swims in moorland rivers and hidden pools. 

Bucket list bonus: Pack a flask of hot chocolate to warm up once you’ve finished your dip. 

Some of the best family memories are made under the stars, toasting marshmallows and swapping stories around a crackling fire. Many YHA properties offer fire pits or campfire areas when you book a Landpod or bell tent. Whether you're deep in the countryside or perched beside the sea, gather the family for a night of laughs, warmth, and that unbeatable campfire glow. 

Bucket list bonus: Level up your s’mores game with chocolate digestives and peanut butter. 

Summer is the perfect time to try something new and YHA makes it easy with plenty of action-packed options nearby. Think kayaking, rock climbing, paddleboarding, zip-lining or caving. Stay at YHA Edale Activity Centre in the Peak District and you'll have an adventure playground on your doorstep, or head to YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass for guided hikes and mountain scrambles. 

Bucket list bonus: Let each family member pick an activity, it keeps everyone involved and excited. 

YHA is your gateway to the UK’s most beautiful National Parks. From the wilds of Dartmoor to the hills of the Peak District and the rolling South Downs, there’s a family-friendly YHA hostel in the heart of it all. Go wildlife spotting, build dens in the woods, or cycle the trails together. It’s screen-free fun that brings everyone closer. 

Bucket list bonus: Create a nature journal together and document your summer discoveries with drawings, leaves, and notes. 

Sometimes, all you need is a bike and an open trail. Many YHA locations are close to fantastic family cycling routes. YHA Sheringham is ideal for cycling the Norfolk Coast Path, while YHA Keswick in the Lake District is a peddle away from scenic lakeside rides perfect for kids. Don’t forget your helmets and your snacks! 

Bucket list bonus: Turn your ride into a treasure hunt by spotting local wildlife, plants, or even painted rocks left by other families. 

YHA hostels are often in or near the UK’s most charming villages. Think stone cottages, winding lanes, and cosy tea rooms. YHA Castleton Losehill Hall in the Peak District places you right in the middle of postcard-perfect England. YHA Hawkshead is in Beatrix Potter country and YHA New Forest has ponies roaming wildly in the village of Burley where it’s based. Spend a day exploring, sampling ice cream, and snapping family photos. 

Bucket list bonus: Create your own storybook when you get home, filled with memories from your village visit. 

Introduce your kids to the magic of rural life with a stay near a working farm. YHA Hartington Hall is a great countryside base with a working farm next door and rural trails from the front door.  

Bucket list bonus: Try local produce, like Hartington cheese made by a local farm or pick-your-own blackberries which grow along the hedgerows for a delicious taste of summer. 

Want to escape from it all and reconnect as a family? YHA Black Sail in the Lake District is one of the UK’s most remote hostels as it’s only accessible by foot or bike. It’s the ultimate unplugged getaway. Surrounded by mountains and nature, Black Sail is the perfect place for quiet hikes, board games by the fire, and truly undisturbed family time. 

Bucket list bonus: Have a digital detox challenge. No phones, no screens, just nature and each other. 

If wildlife is on your summer wish list, this one’s unmissable. Stay at YHA Berwick, a stylish converted granary just a short walk from the train station and coastline. From here, it’s easy to hop on a boat trip to the Farne Islands, one of the UK’s most spectacular seabird sanctuaries. Between May and July, the islands come alive with adorable puffins. They begin to depart in August, but you may still spot them out at sea along with seals, guillemots, and even the occasional dolphin. 

Bucket list bonus: Bring binoculars and a notebook, the kids can become seabird spotters for the day and learn to identify different species. 

Looking for a fun and energising challenge for the whole family? Head to YHA Treyarnon Bay on the Cornish coast, where golden sands and rolling waves await just steps from your door. Whether you're a total beginner or a bit of a pro, local surf schools offer lessons for all ages and abilities with wetsuits and boards included. It’s the perfect place to ride your first wave and soak up that classic beachy summer vibe. 

Bucket list bonus: Celebrate your surf session with pizzas on the beach as the sun sets. You’ve earned it! 

Ready to plan your family’s summer adventure? Visit yha.org.uk to explore hostels, check availability, and start ticking off your bucket list.