New Handbook Promised
The absence of an up-to-date handbook of YHA’s hostels is an issue covered before on this website, and only partially addressed by the “handbook update” issued last year. According to a post by Karl Shepherdson in the YHA forum this weekend, a replacement could finally be on its way:
A new handbook/guide is in the process of being put together. I’m in the loop and have recently had meetings with the lead manager. I can promise the concept is not dead. Don’t ask me when it will come through letterboxes just yet as I don’t have a date yet. It is at the writing and editing stage at National Office. Perishable information will be left for the website, like opening dates and prices, but I have requested an increase in the amount of ‘practical information’, in particular meal options and times, and hostel shop provision if relevant.
The new handbook will probably have the hostel’s “real” telephone number as well as the 0845 one, and the OS map reference. If there are other things you’d like to see included, I’m sure Karl would be happy to hear from you.
I really welcome this news. The internet is great, but not always accessible when you’re in the wilds (or if you have limited means). You still need something you can stuff into a rucksac, pannier or glove compartment that you can use to find a hostel. I’m glad YHA has finally listened to its members on this issue.
If you can’t wait for the official handbook to land on your doormat, there is a little-known alternative. Hostelling International, the world-wide hostelling body, publish free downloadable hostel guides for every continent and country. The England & Wales guide (Warning: 9MB pdf file) lists all hostels alphabetically and even includes some information left out of the last official guide, like public transport links. Well worth a look if your trusty handbook is getting a bit dog eared!
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“I’m in the loop” doesn’t mean much to us old life member self-catering cyclists !
Hopefully they will cut down on the irritating puffery – “Exhausted parents can relax in a deckchair on a sandy beach while they lick a home-made ice cream and watch the children frolic happily in the pristine golden sand” type of thing – in favour of more earthy and practical information, such as the useful little maps that were binned to make room for it some years ago.
I’m old enough to remember when “Exhausted parents” had walked or cycled from a hostel many miles away, but it’s not so likely now most of them arrive by car.