The colder months are upon us... here are 14 ways to make the most of the change of the season with YHA being at the heart of it all.
See the Northern Lights
The famous aurora borealis — typically associated with more northerly latitudes — can be regularly glimpsed in Britain, even along the south coast. Winter 2026 will continue to see higher-than-average geomagnetic activity thanks to the declining phase of the current solar cycle. You’ll have the best chance of seeing this spectacular natural phenomenon the further north you are and the more removed you can get from light pollution. Check Aurora Watch for updates and the likelihood of catching the Northern Lights near you.
Hire out a youth hostel with friends
The perfect base for a walking weekend
What could be better than having the run of a hostel as a base for a few days of hill-bashing with your friends? During the winter months, many YHA hostels are available for Exclusive Hire from £350 a night. Just enter your dates and party size, then select ‘Entire place’ on yha.org.uk to see what’s available.
There are properties across England and Wales, of course, but a few particularly choice options include YHA Broad Haven, YHA Boscastle, YHA Snowdon Llanberis and YHA Wasdale Hall.
Hunt out a cloud inversion
A spectacular sight more common in winter
Seeing a cloud inversion — when mountain peaks protrude like islands above a sea of cloud — is one of the highlights of hillwalking. Although relatively rare, they tend to occur more often in winter. The science is bewildering, but in brief terms, they generally happen when the atmosphere heats up or stays the same the higher you go, as opposed to getting colder. This creates a temperature inversion. Cooler, low-lying mist is then trapped beneath a layer of warm air during a high-pressure front. The spectacle is most common in the early morning after a still, clear night overlooking a sheltered valley.
Learn a new craft
It’s time to sloooooooow down
A hostel stay in winter, with long, dark evenings, offers the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill without the distractions of everyday life. Take a little craft kit with you: perhaps lino-cutting, quilt-making, embroidery, watercolour, macramé or crochet. All take up very little space in your bag, and offer hours of relaxation. Now is your opportunity. With kids, try things like Minecraft mosaics, salt dough shapes in the hostel self-catering kitchen, or making friendship bracelets.
Take a winter skills course
Safety first on the snowy hills
The winter hills are beautiful, but can be dangerous. The best way to enjoy the mountains with confidence, and in safety, is to learn the basics of winter walking. You’ll cover things like kit choice, crampons, ice axes, winter navigation, avalanche awareness and emergency techniques. All are taught at Plas y Brenin in Snowdonia and Glenmore Lodge in the Cairngorms.
Find a pub with a real fire
Real ale, muddy boots, log fires
There’s no better way to finish off a cold day in the mountains than in a proper regional pub, drinking good beer next to a hot fire. Some of our favourites include The Old Nags Head in Edale, The Queen’s Head in Hawkshead, The Wasdale Head Inn for its climbing heritage, and the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale for the ultimate cosy pub experience. You may even hear someone fiddle with a fiddle.
Visit a coastal hostel
Try storm-watching and winter walks
There’s a visceral thrill to watching a storm come in, especially if there’s a pane of glass between you and the precipitation. When the weather relents, a blustery coastal walk is refreshing at worst and life-affirming at best. Controversial, perhaps, but we’d argue a cold winter walk by the sea is better than a summer one. Sea-watchers can stare at the waves from YHA Treyarnon Bay in Cornwall, YHA Broad Haven in Pembrokeshire and YHA Boggle Hole in Yorkshire, among others.
Visit a Dark Sky Park
Shooting stars
Having short days and long nights holds various benefits, especially for star-gazers. Northumberland National Park is a Gold-tier International Dark Sky Park, while six other National Parks have been awarded International Dark Sky Reserve status: Exmoor, Brecon Beacons, Moore’s Reserve in the South Downs, Snowdonia, North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales. Dark Sky Discovery suggests visitors’ centres across the country that host astronomy events.
Fill your flask
Winter warmers
Traditionalists may want to look away, but gallons of tea can sometimes get a little boring. Instead, try a spicy Chai. Pop a couple of Chai bags in your flask, along with a muslin bag packed with what you have in your spice drawer: cardamom pods, a cinnamon stick, a whole clove, a couple of peppercorns, allspice berries and star anise. Another option is hot lemonade, made with water, a cup of lemon juice, grated lemon peel, a tablespoon of honey and a cinnamon stick.
Switch on to night walking
Don’t let long, cold nights get in the way
Walking under the stars (if you’re lucky) or at least the cover of nightfall can have an appeal of its own if you prepare correctly. Visibility is, obviously, decreased, it’s colder, and navigation can be a conundrum, but with care the rewards are great. Take a headtorch and you may well spot animal eyes peering back at you, too. Try it out first on a good, clear night, walking somewhere you know well.
Make a movie with the kids
Get out your phone or action cam
Making a short film has never been easier (and besides, some people have a TikTok following to please, right?). It adds a new dimension to walking and makes for a particularly fun activity to get the kids out in winter. Think of the narrative first: are you filming a first ascent, a spoof, a horror, or just a fun video to pop on your daily WhatsApp channel?
Cosy up your stay
Bring familiar favourites
A notebook for sketching, a familiar blanket, your favourite tea: these are the simple things that make hostelling feel restorative. Bring an unexpected board game to the social lounge and make new acquaintances, or download an audiobook for a serene evening on the top bunk.
Saunas near YHA hostels for a winter wellbeing escape
The ultimate warming
“Baby, it’s cold outside” — but it’s bloomin’ warm in here. Saunas have popped up across the country and are understandably becoming hugely popular. Some are very close to hostels, among them Sawna Bach in Llanberis; Whitby Wellbeing, which has pop-up sessions at Whitby and other nearby locations; Sea Sauna at Sheringham, Norfolk; and La'al Sauna near Coniston Water, Lake District.
Make the ultimate flapjack
The best homemade hill snack
The flapjack is God’s own food, and here we’ve given it a savoury-sweet twist with toasted hazelnuts and a hint of rosemary for a forest refuelling. Swap hazelnuts for toasted pecans or walnuts if you prefer, and a squeeze of orange juice into the syrup mix can add a little extra tang. They keep well in an airtight tin for up to five days, ideal for packing on a walk.
Ingredients
175g unsalted butter
3 tbs golden syrup
100g light soft brown sugar
250g porridge oats
75g hazelnuts, roughly chopped
1 tsp fresh rosemary
1 pinch flaky sea salt
1 orange, zested
Toast the hazelnuts: Chop roughly in a pan over a medium heat until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the tin and oven: Preheat the oven to 160°C fan and line a 20cm square tin with baking paper.
Melt the base: In a large saucepan, gently melt 175g unsalted butter, 3tbs golden syrup and 100g light soft brown sugar together, stirring until smooth.
Add the twist: Take off the heat and stir in 250g porridge oats, the toasted hazelnuts, 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped, 1 pinch flaky sea salt and 1 orange, zested. Mix well so every oat is coated.
Press and bake: Tip into the tin and press down firmly and evenly with the back of a spoon. Bake for around 20 minutes until golden at the edges but still soft in the centre.
Cool and cut: Leave to cool completely in the tin before cutting into 12 squares. This keeps it from crumbling.
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Photo credit: Philip / Koldo Studio / DisobeyArt / Seventyfour / marcin jucha / Adobe Stock
