alternative to camping

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by coasty

My word I find myself agreeing with your post Paul....

Don't panic - you'll get over it!
I must admit that we only use the YH nowadays in cities! Very convenient for a night in Newcastle or Liverpool. It's not just in the UK that prices are rising: in Paris, I've usually found hotels cheaper!

[ChrisJB]

I love hostelling. The missus and I go all the time. I do find it disappointing though when the simple, decent, rural ones shut down and big, posh, swanky ones in places like Manchester pop up instead. The hostel at Keld at the head of Swaledale springs to mind. I believe another of our favourites, Dufton, in the North Pennines, is trembling in the shadow of the axe. Boo.

Regards, Chris

[seamusagleann]

Originally Posted by astraman

it would be real bad if you made the trek and there was no more room left

there should always be room ,most people who use bothys will generally make space....this is a link to the web site.....my posts should be easy to spot

http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/

[Paul mabbott]

I'm astonished by some of the ones that have been closed - the one on the Swale (sorry forgotten the village name - or was it the Ure, in Swaledale - sorry again, I get confused up North) seemed excellent to me and very well positioned.

I think that part (or most) of the problem is the change in transport available nowadays. Many hostels are now isolated unless you have a car or, in some cases, a bike. Bus and train services used to get you to walking distances but using these nowadays has become a science in itself. I love listening to the dedicated walkers who are going to walk the twenty miles from A to B then catch the 1215 to C then walk the eight miles to D for the night before ... Admirable for not for most of us! I like a leisurely walk, good night's sleep, leisurely breakfast etc etc!

It is, in many ways, easier for carless people at a weekend, to get a bus or train out of a city centre walk around and then return ....

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

I love hostelling. The missus and I go all the time. I do find it disappointing though when the simple, decent, rural ones shut down and big, posh, swanky ones in places like Manchester pop up instead. The hostel at Keld at the head of Swaledale springs to mind. I believe another of our favourites, Dufton, in the North Pennines, is trembling in the shadow of the axe. Boo.

Regards, Chris

[coasty]

[quote=Paul mabbott;218742]I'm astonished by some of the ones that have been closed - the one on the Swale (sorry forgotten the village name - or was it the Ure, in Swaledale - sorry again, I get confused up North) seemed excellent to me and very well positioned.

QUOTE]

Perhaps you are thinking about Dent Dale.... That was one of my favourites which I think has been closed,,,,

[peter B]

hi i find the forestry commision site,s are just right for me , i use to take the caravan , but now i tend to get a lodge for a long weekend or week , last one was up in scotland , and find that there just right for a photo holiday

[shirl]

The last bothy I came across was in the Cairgorms, would have loved to have spent the night there, basic but previous walkers left matches, candles etc and asked you to do the same. There was even a visitors book! Wonderful.

Shirl