YHA Boggle Hole Re-Opens After £1.2million Refurbishment

Style and quirkiness abound at the hidden gem that is YHA Boggle Hole, an iconic and much-loved Youth Hostel in Whitby, North Yorkshire, following an enormous £1.2m refurbishment which has created 12 new jobs.

YHA Boggle Hole is just one of a growing number of Youth Hostels that have been refurbished since 2010, at a cost of £22million. The investment in YHA's 160-strong network has created comfortable, contemporary-styled accommodation as well as camping and glamping facilities. Today's Youth Hostels boast licensed bars and restaurants, and more private en suite rooms which are appealing to a new generation of traveller and holiday maker.

The renovation took eight months to complete and has resulted in YHA Boggle Hole becoming both environmentally and financially sustainable, securing its long-term future for the hundreds of school groups, young people and families who stay there and visit each year.

The investment has enabled YHA Boggle Hole to replace a dilapidated annexe and create a new classroom as well as refresh the dining room, cafe and reception area. The increase in education and dining facilities has led to the creation of the new jobs. The newly created and refurbished spaces include:

• Onsite accommodation for staff –five new bedrooms have been created
• The Crow's Nest annexe - an environmentally friendly timber framed building, nestled in Robin Hood's Bay
• The Boat Shed - a new space for meetings or activities, perfect for locals or group trips
• The Brigg - an overflow dining room with stunning sea views- perfect for sipping sundowners on
• The Quarterdeck café - now open to guests and the public

YHA Boggle Hole's hostel managers, Peta and Andy Nugent, have been instrumental in the facelift of the much-loved Youth Hostel, which is set in a smugglers cove in Robin Hood's Bay. Together, they and their team, have upcycled items on the beach, including driftwood, bottle tops and buoys into lighting and artwork for the Youth Hostel

Managers Peta and Andy have managed the Youth Hostel for 23 years and are known and loved for their quirky designs and warm welcome, which has made YHA Boggle Hole popular with thousands of schools, young people and families throughout the region as well as nationally.

Peta said: "Boggle Hole is one of the oldest, most-loved YHAs in the UK. Its rich history of mystery and adventure reveal legendary stories of smugglers landing their treasure and burying it in the hundreds of hidey-holes in the bay, it is a truly magical place."

Caroline White, Chief Executive of YHA (England and Wales) said: "YHA Boggle Hole is simply stunning and epitomises the image change YHA has undergone in recent years, making it appeal to a new generation of young people and their families.

"We welcome thousands of young people to Boggle Hole every year giving everyone, whatever their backgrounds, the chance to enjoy a fantastic educational and outdoor experience. Our investment will help the Youth Hostel become even more financially sustainable, securing its future for many more generations of guests and enabling YHA, to regain a special place in people's hearts."

The extensive refurbishment of the 85 bed Youth Hostel was made possible following from grants from the Coastal Communities Fund, Hostelling International Sustainability Fund as well as loyal YHA members, all keen to see Boggle Hole survive and thrive.

Alongside the refurbishment programme YHA has also invested £10 million in six brand new Youth Hostels at the Eden Project, Brighton, Castleton in Derbyshire, Cardiff, South Downs and Berwick.

To take a virtual tour of a modern YHA visithttp://www.yha.org.uk/virtual-tours

For further details of all Youth Hostels in England and Wales, or to make a booking, visit www.yha.org.uk.

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