The result of a £1.5 million refurbishment has been unveiled at YHA Swanage in the South West, improving facilities for school groups including disabled access.
The extensive investment at YHA Swanage has created 11 new en-suite bedrooms and one fully accessible bedroom, which means wheelchair users will now be able to stay at the youth hostel.
YHA Swanage’s new offering
The refurbishment has retained the building’s Victoria heritage and period features but has improved certain aspects of the hostel.
Large, open plan communal social spaces where groups can play and eat together have been created and all 25 bedrooms at the youth hostel have also been completely redecorated and refurbished throughout.
Additionally, the youth hostel’s classrooms, which are regularly used by visiting schools studying the geology of the nearby Jurassic Coast, have been upgraded.
About YHA Swanage
The Victorian building has been a youth hostel for nearly 70 years after being gifted to the youth charity by the Ministry of Education in 1948.
Today, YHA Swanage reportedly welcomes nearly 18,000 young people and their families every year. Following the refurbishment, visitor numbers are expected to increase by 2,000 more guests each year.
James Blake, chief executive of YHA (England and Wales), explained: “We know the transformative power of travel, adventure and discovery for young people and creating an environment like we have done at Swanage will enable even more young people and their families to access life enhancing experiences with YHA.
Manager of YHA Swanage Garry Hayman added: “Already the refurbishment has made a big difference to the school groups who stay with us. Prior to the investment we were unable to accommodate wheelchair users but now we have the fully accessible bedroom we are able to welcome even more young people to stay with us.”
For more information, visit www.yha.org.uk.
