New Hostel Planned for South Downs
According to a press release issued this week:
An historic farm in East Sussex is to get a new lease of life as a £2million Youth Hostel and outdoor activity centre after being awarded a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The scheme will result in YHA Itford Farm – situated on the South Downs Way at Beddingham – between the seaside resorts of Brighton and Eastbourne.
Most of the hostels opened in recent years seem to have been purpose-built affairs. All very practical no doubt, but sometimes a bit lacking in character. Itford will be a welcome return to the “historic building” school of youth hostel design:
The Grade II* listed farmhouse is rich in history, having stood since before the 13th Century.
It is built mainly of flint with a tiled roof and inside, an unusual trefoiled headed piscine survives from the 13th century chapel previously on the site.
They hope to have the new hostel open by Summer 2008.
Related Pages
Powered by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
This is great news, unless you like Telscombe YH, which is only about 3 miles away and must surely be vulnerable to closure if the Itford hostel opens.
In terms of the South Downs Way, this is a good location- however, there remains a big gap in terms of YH provision in the western end of the South Downs Way.
Right next to the busy Newhaven road. But on the plus side it is bang on the SDW and right next door to BR station at Southease. Quite a nice building too. Apparently relations with the locals at Telscombe village are a bit strained and so YH Telscombe probably will get the chop.