Many of these hostels offer activity or education packages or both. Please scroll down for further details or click on the links to the YHA School Trips website.

MONTHS OPEN
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

DAYS OPEN
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

AGE GROUPs
5 to 7 years, 8 to 10 years, 11 to 13 years, 14 to 16 years, College, University



What we offer on a school trip residential experience


A selection of hostels are listed below, but to find out more visit https://www.yha.org.uk/group-bookings?utm_source=uk_school_trips&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=uk_school_trips_2024
YHA Ambleside, Waterhead, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0EU
YHA Black Sail, Black Sail Hut, Ennerdale, Cleator, Cumbria CA23 3AY
YHA Borrowdale, Longthwaite, Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5XE
YHA Buttermere, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 0DS
YHA Coniston Holly How, Far End, Coniston, Cumbria LA21 8DD
YHA Coniston Coppermines, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8HP
YHA Chester Trafford Hall, Chester, Cheshire West and Chester, CH2 4JP
At YHA we’re working towards the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge for all our School Trips centres.
Take a look at our venue packages and choose between one or two days of YHA-led activities:
Ambleside
Reopening in May 2013 after a £1.4 million refurbishment, this hostel sits on the edge of lake Windermere and will offer stylish accommodation with access to a huge array of activities and great local amenities. Action Adventure – Try kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling, and hill walking. Education – Geography – Gain Skills for the Hills? and engage your students in activities such as team games, shelter building, orienteering and learning to cook in the great outdoors. Head out on a Discovery Walk? or undertake a River Study?. Go on a Contrasting Locality Mountain Environment Study? or look into the effects of visitors to the Lake District with a Tourism Study?. Finally, if your group is keen to study animals and habitats then take a course on Woodland and Stream Invertebrates.? Suitable for KS2 and KS3.
Arnside
A pretty Edwardian residence that’s easy to get to, just 15 minutes from the motorway, and sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Education – Geography – The Contrasting Localities? package is run in partnership with the RSPB. On the first day you?ll make a study of the village and on the second take a guided walk to Leighton Moss reserve. The package can be full tailored to your requirements so can be adapted to suit Key Stages 2 and 3 as well as A and AS level.
Black Sail
Action and Adventure – Go kayaking or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing, abseiling and hill walking. Export tutors will guide you through these activities, allowing you to test your limits safely. Education – Geography – Skills for the Hills? is a cross-curricular package that helps students grow their confidence as well as their knowledge of the environment. Contrasting Locality Mountain Environment Study? invites students discover what makes Wild Ennerdale a tourism hotspot. River Study? helps your pupils gain further knowledge of erosion, transportation and deposition. Suitable for KS2 and 3. – History – Spend a day traversing the rough terrain of Ennerdale and taking part in interactives such as role-play, map reading and I spy to gain a newfound understanding of the fascinating history of this incredible landscape. KS2 and 3.
Borrowdale
Action and Adventure – Nestled in a valley, surrounded by beautiful scenery, this Rough Guide nominated hostel is ideal for adventures in the great outdoors. Opt for this package and go kayaking/canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building,
climbing and abseiling, hill walking and tackle the ropes course. Education – Geography – Skills for the Hills? – Improve your group’s ability to work as a team with this cross-curricular programme. Tasks include shelter building, camp cooking and orienteering. Alternatively, take a Discovery Walk? around Borrowdale to discover the local landscape and its history using map reading and role-play skills. Suitable for KS2 and 3. Education – Science – Adaptions of Living Creatures? – Students will investigate two different habitats, a stream and woodland, to learn about how species adapt
to thrive in certain environments. KS2 and 3.
Coniston Holly How
Action and Adventure – Recuperate in the grand lakeside house at the foot of the hills after a day’s thrill seeking on this activity package. Available adventure sports include: Kayaking or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/ abseiling and mountain walking. Education – Geography – Mines and Mountains? – Discover the tradition on slate and copper mining in Coniston. Skills for the Hills? – Play team games and develop your knowledge of the landscape with fun activities. Environmental Games? include activities such as Smelly Cocktails, Un-Nature Trail and Eco Foot- Print. Collect evidence of how tourism affects the local landscape in Contrasting Locality Mountain Environment Study? or take a trail through the history of the Coppermine’s Valley on a full day’s Discovery Walk?. Suitable for KS2 and 3.
Elterwater
Stay at this peaceful YHA for views of some of the Lake District’s most beautiful scenery.Action Adventure – Activities offered include kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling and hill walking.
Education – Geography – Choose from Skills for the Hills? or Discovery Walk Langdale?. Suitable for KS2 and 3.
– Science – Adaptions of Living Creatures? – Discuss food chains and food webs as you look into the natural habitats of streams and woodlands. KS2 and 3.
Ennerdale
A comfortable home-from-home in the remote wilderness, stay here and make friends with your neighbours that include deer, pine martens and red squirrels. Action Adventure – Activities offered include kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling and hill walking. Education – Geography- Choose between Skills for the Hills?, Contrasting Locality Mountain Environment Study?, River Study? or Discovery Walk?. Suitable for KS2 and 3.
Eskdale
Enjoy the large hostel grounds complete with lawn, ponds and nature trail. You can even take your studies outside and use the outdoor classroom. Action Adventure – Activities offered include kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling and hill walking. Education – Geography – Eskdale Geographical Challenge? – You?ve done the theory, now look at the practice. Study the sheep farming community and geography of the locality. Alternatively, choose Eskdale Environmental Experience? and scout out the wildlife and different habitats of 15 acres of
Lakeland. KS2 and 3. Education – History – Discover the Romans? that lived at one of the remotest outposts in Roman Britain. Levels KS2 and 3.
Grasmere Butharlyp Howe
Stay in a Victorian mansion with fantastic group facilities including classroom, internet, group catering and spacious gardens. Action Adventure – Activities offered include kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling and hill walking. Education – Geography – packages include Skills for the Hills?, Environmental
Games?, Contrasting Locality Mountain Environment Study?, River Study?, Discovery Walk? and one you might not yet have read about – Tourism Study?. The last is useful preparation for GCSE Geographers as it teaches of the social,
economic and environmental impacts of tourism in Grasmere.
Hawkshead
Want a slice of luxury for your group getaway but don?t want to pay a high price? Then YHA Hawkshead could be right up your street. Book a great value stay in the grade II listed building and enjoy views over Esthwaite Water.
Action Adventure – Activities offered include kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling, ropes course, archery and hill walking. Education – PE and Outdoor Activities – Cross the swamp and walk the plank, complete the marble run and try your hand at archery. KS2. Education – Geography – packages include Skills for the Hills?, Environmental Games?, Contrasting Locality Mountain Environment Study? and Discovery Walk?. KS2 and KS3.
Helvellyn
Spend a school trip at the second highest mountain in the Lakes. The hostel makes great group accommodation with its classroom, laundry, board games and easy access to outdoor pursuit providers. Action Adventure – Activities offered include kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling and hill walking.
Keswick
Stay in the heart of the Lake District at this characterful riverside location. Action Adventure – Activities offered include kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling and hill walking.
Langdale
An extraordinary National Trust property the Victorian mansion boasts extensive grounds and its own arboretum. It’s truly a wonderful place to take a school group. Action Adventure – Activities offered include kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge
scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling, ropes course, archery and hill walking. Education – PE and Outdoor Activity Education – Eco-Explorer – Discover the impact of humans on the environment, learn how to thrive in the wilderness and work as a team to think up survival solutions. Choose from 4 different packages, each with their own particular emphasis. There’s Eco-Adventure?, My Team?, Recycle and Reuse? and Nature Detectives?.
Patterdale
The hostel is only a 15-minute walk from Ullswater, a favourite with the famous Lake Poets. The interior is light, open and inviting, making this ideal for groups. Action Adventure – Activities offered include kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling and hill walking.
Wastwater
You won?t believe your eyes when you pull up to this stunning National Trust property. A stay here is a stay like no other and it’s absolutely perfect for an adventure break. Action Adventure – Try your hand at kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge
scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling, archery and hill walking.
Windermere
Smartly presented with bags of schools appeal, YHA Windermere offers panoramic views and loads of nearby attractions.
Action Adventure – Activities offered include kayaking and/or canoeing, gorge scrambling, raft building, climbing/abseiling, archery and hill walking. Education – Geography – Gain Skills for the Hills?, play Environmental Games? or go on a mini Discovery Walk?. If you want to know more about the local pond and lake wildlife then opt for Go Wild!?. You?ll build a shelter, visit the National Park Visitor Centre and observe sharks at the aquarium.
YHA Elterwater, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9HX
YHA Ennerdale, Cat Crag, Ennerdale, Cleator, Cumbria CA19 1TH
YHA Eskdale, Boot, Holmrook, Cumbria CA19 1TH
YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe, Easedale Road, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9QG
YHA Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0QD
YHA Helvellyn, Greenside, Glenridding, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0QR
YHA Honister Hause, Seatoller, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5XN
YHA Keswick, Station Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5LH
YHA Langdale, High Close, Loughrigg, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9HJ
YHA Liverpool Albert Dock– 25 Tabley Street, off Wapping, Liverpool, Mersyside, L1 8EE
YHA Manchester, Potato Wharf, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4NB
YHA Patterdale, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0NW
YHA Wasdale Hall, Wasdale, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1ET
YHA Windermere, Bridge Lane, Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1LA
YHA Hostels
YHA North West
Youth Hostel Association
YHA Accommodation
What makes us a great choice for educational groups


We pride ourselves on our passion and our positioning. Our hostel teams are enthusiastic about what they do and can offer you great advice about the best local places to visit. They?ll be happy to help you in your educational excursion
planning. The YHA network is vast and diverse which means that with us you?ll never be very far away from a breathtaking view, a capital of culture or a thrilling outdoor adventure. Please see the YHA School Trips website for details
of particular hostels and nearby attractions.
Group Sizes


Our hostels range in size. The smallest in the network have approximately 20 beds and the largest well over 100. Whatever your group size we have a destination that’s just right.
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions


Photography, video and audio recording at hostels is not subject to copyright restrictions although we ask that permission be sought from those being photographed/recorded.
Risk Assessment


We want group leaders to know that everything is in place for a successful visit before they arrive with their charges. That’s why we offer a free pre-trip hostel visit for two with every provisional full-board school trip booking. Take the time to meet hostel staff, find out about fire safety arrangements and let us help with your risk assessment. This free night’s stay with breakfast gives you a chance to raise any queries that might not have occurred in the initial planning phase.
Education Officer Details


The individual hostels don?t have a designated education officer but for information, help or advice about an educational trip please call free on 0800 0195 465.
Pricing


Education base packages cost £45 per child (excl. VAT.)
Action Adventure base packages cost £120 per child (excl. VAT.)
We offer one free group leader place for every ten students booked on a YHA School Trips package.
For up-to-date bed and board prices contact our friendly team of group advisors on 0800 0195 465.
Reduce the cost of your trip with a free groups membership, available to educational and young persons groups. To find out if you qualify call us on 0800 0191 700.
First Aid


You?ll find first aid kits at all YHA sites but if you’re taking a group out on non-YHA staffed excursions we ask that you bring additional supplies.
The safety and wellbeing of our visitors is very important to us. We log incidents electronically to make sure that any injuries are treated quickly and future accidents avoided. If anything does happen, it’s important to let us know as soon as possible so we can respond effectively.
Available Facilities


Hostel facilities typically include:
Board games, cafe bar, classroom/educational meeting room, conference facilities, cycle store, drying room, games room, garden/grounds, laundry, library, parking, restaurant with table license, TV and Wi-Fi.
For hostel-specific details please see www.yha.org.uk/school-trips
Many of our hostels offer group catering.
Let us do the hard work?
It’s important that groups eat well so that they?ll get the most out of their time with YHA. To this end we take care to source local seasonal produce as much as possible and the meat we serve, with bacon as the only exception, is Red Tractor accredited. So? before, during and after a long day’s adventuring you can be sure you’re tucking into quality fare.
Our nutritious breakfasts include options such as fresh fruit, cereal and yoghurt. If you prefer a cooked breakfast then treat your taste buds to hot options that include bacon, eggs, sausage and beans. You won?t be disappointed when it comes to the most important meal of the day.
We offer tasty picnic lunches to keep your group energised for their afternoon. Lunches include sandwiches, crisps, cereal bars, mineral water and fruit.
Dinner provides an excellent opportunity to get together and chat about newfound confidence, knowledge or experience. Choose a hot or cold meat or vegetarian main meal, add some veg and some comforting carbohydrate and you have the recipe for a satisfying YHA dinner.
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities


YHA is dedicated to ensuring that as many people as possible have access to our facilities.
Please call 0800 0195 465 to discuss your group’s requirements.
Further Information


Now is a great time to plan and book future residentials with YHA due to our Covid-19 Flexibility Guarantee, extra safety measures, and fixed pricing until February 2023. If your school is unable to do overnight residentials at the moment, then how about a YHA Day Stay? They are day activities that are national curriculum-linked for all abilities, delivered in the great outdoors and your school has the choice of what the day will look like. At YHA, we are dedicated to creating unique experiences for young people to explore, grow and enjoy nature in England and Wales’ most spectacular locations. Book now!
Location Information


It’s little wonder that the area is popular with school groups. With many hostels available in this area and with the majority offering school trips packages there’s a huge amount to see and do while keeping costs to a minimum. Come to the North West for the history and buzzing city culture of Manchester or opt for a stay in the beautiful Lake District for outdoor pursuits aplenty. Read on for a comprehensive account of all that’s on offer.
Room Sizes and Facilities


Hostel bedrooms vary in size and are furnished with single and bunk beds. En suite rooms are available in most hostels.
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