18 March 2013

Cash-strapped families given opportunity for a ‘cracking' Easter break by YHA

For cash-strapped families looking for a ‘cracking' Easter break that won't ‘break' the budget the youth hostelling charity, YHA (England and Wales) is urging people to consider a holiday in a Youth Hostel.

YHA is offering beds, at more than 100 of its great locations throughout England and Wales, from only £18 per night, or a private family room sleeping four from only £59 per night. To take advantage of the offer all Easter breaks need to be booked by 14 April 2013 atwww.yha.org.uk.

The offer comes hot on the heels of a recent *survey which found that68% of mums are spending less on family activities than they did a year ago, but that 17% of them still regard a family holiday as something they could not live without.

As well as low cost accommodation, YHA is offering a range of family-friendly activities at its Youth Hostels over Easter, including Captain Egbert's Space Mission at YHA Borrowdale, egg decorating at YHA St Paul's in London, stargazing at YHA Danywenallt in the Brecon Beacons' international dark sky reserve or, for the more adventurous - abseiling, kayaking and archery at YHA Edale.

Caroline White, YHA Chief Executive, explained: "As a charity, we want to help everyone, especially young people of limited means. With our Easter deal, families can not only get a holiday they might not have had but they'll also have a great new experience, meet other people and the children can make new friends."

"With so many Youth Hostels to choose from and in such a wide variety of locations, we can provide a holiday to suit the taste and budget of every member of the family. You don't even have to be a YHA member to take advantage of the offer and our network of Youth Hostels."

YHA York will be also celebrating its official re-opening during the Easter weekend, following a £1.95 million refurbishment, with a huge Mad Hatters Tea Party.

Recently YHA has invested more than £19.5 million into its network of Youth Hostels in England and Wales to help the charity finally shed its outdated image of rickety bunk beds, sleeping bags, compulsory membership, chores and 1960s dormitories. Today, Youth Hostels offer en suite accommodation, private family rooms, bars and restaurants, and are open to everyone; however there are significant discounts for YHA members.

Families can choose from Youth Hostels in some fabulous areas, including the newly refurbished hostels in Canterbury, Malham, Ambleside and Stratford upon Avon and a brand new location at Southease in the South Downs.

YHA has hostels in towns, cities, National Parks and coastal locations throughout England and Wales. There are eight Youth Hostels alone in the UK's capital, London and 15 located along the new Wales Coastal Path.

All Youth Hostels provide self-catering facilities and great value activities to suit all ages, to enable families to have a fun, comfortable and low-cost holiday.

To take advantage of the offer and make a Youth Hostel booking, visitwww.yha.org.ukorcontact0800 0191 700.

Ends

*Source: Asda's Mumdex 2013

Photo captions

The welcoming facilities shown at YHA Oxford and newly refurbished facilities at YHA Canterbury are typical of today's modern Youth Hostels, helping the charity shed its outdated image. While YHA Edale offers adventure-seeking families activities to suit all tastes this Easter.

Notes to Editors

YHA is a charity with a clear mission: to inspire all, especially young people, to broaden their horizons gaining knowledge and independence through new experiences of adventure and discovery.

YHA has a network of around 160 diverse hostels and bunkhouses throughout England and Wales - often situated in exceptional locations. These welcoming and sociable spaces are open to everyone.

They have strong beliefs and a passion for what they do. By encouraging a spirit of adventure, they aim to inspire people of all ages to discover the world around us.

YHA helps young people take part in educational or recreational visits with their friends or classmates by providing financial support from YHA's bursary scheme, Breaks for Kids. In 2011, YHA provided 5,553 of these funded trips.

In 2011, YHA recorded 1,719,348 overnight stays and had 218,054 members.

Further information about YHA can be found atwww.yha.org.uk

For further information

Anna Melton

In the Works PR

Mob: 07837 108559

Email: anna@intheworkspr.co.uk