CYHA News November 2025

High Times in Harwich

Harwich 1912 Centre

Our September trip was to the 1912 Centre in Harwich. The 1912 bit relates to when the building was first built. Following a devastating fire it was decided that Harwich old town needed a dedicated fire station. Ironically it was built on a lot vacated due to fire. Up to …

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CYHA News October 2025

All Aboard for Okehampton!

Okehampton Station

August Bank Holiday and where better to go than the edge of Dartmoor for a taste of West Devon life. The hostel at Okehampton is especially handy for the railway station, it having been converted from the old goods shed. Naturally this meant that several people joined us for the …

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CYHA News September 2025

Stunning Shropshire Sunshine

Bridges hostel Bridges YH is a traditional youth hostel located in stunning, Shropshire countryside, bounded by the Long Mynd on one side and the Stiperstones on the other. There is even a very nice pub just a few yards away, so close to perfection. I really can’t think why it’s …

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CYHA News August 2025

A Walk Through History

A Matter of Stile!

Linton Clapper Stile

Our July walk took us through surprisingly hilly countryside between the Cambridgeshire villages of Linton, Horseheath and Bartlow. We encountered historic features including a section of Roman road, huge burial mounds, medieval wall paintings, and a rare historic stile!

I don’t know that stiles are …

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CYHA News July 2025

Rum-believably Eigg-cellent!

Sgurr of Eigg

Any trip to Scotland from Essex is going to be a long way, but I must admit that our trip by train in June was actually quite a nice way to do it. Good company, plenty of snacks and a book to read- plus, of course, very pleasing views out …

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CYHA News June 2025

Get Your Fun in Bwlch!

Llangors Lake

Our Early May Bank Holiday was spent in the small town of Bwlch in the Brecon Beacons, or Bannau Brycheiniog as we should call them now.

There’s not much in Bwlch these days except for a traditional pub and a rather splendid bunkhouse. Naturally we were staying in the …

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CYHA News May 2025

We'll Take the High Road

High Street

Through the middle of the Lake District there is a Roman road, which once linked Ambleside Roman fort with Brougham fort near Penrith. It ran for about 20 km over the high fells with the highest point at 828m, named High Street after the road it sits on. Some bits …

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CYHA News April 2025

Chilling Tales from the Hatch

Tanners Hatch Hostel

It was a lonely spot. A rustic cottage deep in the woods, distant from the hum of civilisation. Just the wind in the trees and the screech of an owl, and the darkness pressing against the windows. The whole building had a pervasive chill, as if dying, only to be …

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CYHA News March 2025

A Weekend at the Races

Rowley Mile, Newmarket

Our February trip took us to the Jarman centre in Newmarket. The building is located in a lovely patch of woodland just to the southeast of the town. At the time of our visit, it was carpeted with snowdrops. Owned by the Girl Guides, the building is named after Alice …

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CYHA News February 2025

High Drama on Low Fells

Great Ridge

The day dawned cloudy, but all things considered quite pleasant at around 5° C, the tops surrounding Castleton well clear of cloud with a north-westerly light to moderate wind. After breakfast I went to the car park and the sight of the hills to the north beckoned. I changed to …

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