Winter hostelling

[Kim]

Darkest mid winter gets a thumbsup from me.  After last year, I don't really have a workable excuse...

[Canardly]

I have just been reviewing last year which seems to have been pretty damn good by all accounts and a bit of a happening. So going for mid Jan (ish) if others agree.

[clarion]

Sounds like a good plan.  We intend to attend.

[JenM]

Any suggestions for geographic areas allowing the search to begin?

As a 'starter for ten', how about the Peak District, especially the Buxton / Matlock / Ashbourne area.  The YHA have a number of bunkhouses and the following link has a few more:

http://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/peak-district-bunk-barns-c10139.html

However, not sure about how accessible by train.

[Canardly]

We have train people on here that can advise thinks. Ta Jen.

[Tewdric]

St Briavels for the win..




http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/st-briavels

Awesome pub a short stagger away too, and stunning Forest of Dean and Monmouthshire cycling too.

[mcshroom]

Edale and Castleton are easy enough to access by train. Edale is on the Sheffield-Manchester line and Castleton is easy to get to from Bamford station (though the road can be a little busy)

Good walking and cycling round that part of the peaks (on and off road), but not much that is flat

[Kim]

Can I put in a pre-emptive vote for anything that incorporates FIRE or a similarly competent heat source?

[mcshroom]

Can I put in a pre-emptive vote for anything that incorporates FIRE or a similarly competent heat source?

Anyone would think it was cold last time

[Wowbagger]

The Royal Oak bunk barns have an attached pub with an excellent selection of ales, wonderful food and a big fire. When I went, I received expert guidance from Derby Station from Rower40 and, after Ashbourne, cycled up the Tissington Trail. At that time of year the A515 might be preferable.

I'm interested, wherever it is we go.

[jogler]

The Peaks would get my vote

[clarion]

Within reasonable riding distance of a train station on the Friday evening gets our vote

[mike]

potentially in for this, especially if there's camping..

[andrewc]

potentially in for this, especially if there's camping..

Well some of us camped last year..... the sane people stayed in the camping barn.....

[Wowbagger]

potentially in for this, especially if there's camping..

You can camp at the Royal Oak, Derbys. It's a great place. It is 1000 feet up, though, so there could be snow...

[tiermat]

I shall start a new thread to kick start this a bit.

I am willing to organise.