New vision, new places

Some of YHA’s biggest refurbishment projects from this winter reopen their doors this spring in England and Wales.

The investment is part of a renewed vision to reach out and enhance the lives of more young people.

The highlight will be renovation of the imposing National Trust-owned Gothic manor house YHA Ilam, in the Peak District, due to reopen on 10 April 2009.

Families and individuals will benefit from improvements with private, en suite rooms – some with double beds - and a brand new bar and café.

A new 30-seat classroom, 100 capacity function room and en suite rooms will also be created.

Expansion of YHA London St Pancras is also under way, due to reopen on 8 April 2009, as is an expansion of YHA Bristol, due to reopen on 29 April 2009.

YHA London St Pancras will increase its capacity from 157 to 184 beds, offer a new café/bar and reception area and provide a key card system for security.

Improvements to the popular Youth Hostel in Bristol will include increasing the number of beds from 99 to 134, creating more private en suite rooms, improvements to the café/bar and creating two meeting/conference rooms.

In Cornwall, improvements at YHA Penzance are taking place and the hostel will reopen on 25 May 2009.

Again, capacity will increase from 80 to 100 beds, focusing on providing en suite family rooms and no more than six beds per room.

YHA London St Pancras and YHA Penzance will have improved accessibility for guests with disabilities, while YHA Ilam will have two accessible rooms and dedicated parking.

Guests visiting YHA Conwy in North Wales will benefit from refurbished bedrooms, more en suite facilities and a new classroom and two further schemes are set to take place at YHA Treyarnon, in Cornwall and YHA Windermere, in the Lake District.

Elsewhere, substantial modernisation projects will take place at YHAs: Wilderhope Manor and Coalport in Shropshire, Coverack, in Cornwall, Beer, in Devon, Grasmere and Honister Hause in the Lake District, Haworth in West Yorkshire, Port Eynon, in South Wales, Oxford and St Briavel’s in Gloucestershire.