A Peak in the past historical talk with Tim Knebel.
The establishment of the early Youth Hostels in the Peak District, 1931-1939

An exploration of the Peak District’s pioneering part in the UK’s nascent Youth Hostel movement where a chain of “Mansion Hostels” were established across the region in the 1930s, widely acknowledged at the time to be the finest in the country. 

The decade saw former grand private country residences (home for generations to wealthy, elite members of local aristocracy) such as Derwent Hall, Hartington Hall, Ilam Hall, Ravenstor, Overton Hall, Bennetston Hall, Tor Dale and Leam Hall, taken over and repurposed as state-of-the-art Youth Hostels, and thrown open to the masses. 
These once exclusive settings were suddenly host to ramblers, cyclists and young people of very modest means, who were now able to enjoy affordable Peak District stays in salubrious settings for a mere “shilling a night”. The Peak District Youth Hostels in the 1930s accommodated visitors from as far afield as India, USA and Germany, including (somewhat ignominiously) members of the Hitler Youth, before going on to offer sanctuary to Czech refugees fleeing Nazi persecution at the end of the decade. 

We highlight the important role these trailblazing Peak District Youth Hostels had in helping to open up and democratise the local landscape for the wider public, instilling and inspiring a love of the outdoors and appreciation of the environment in the young, and helping to preserve and safeguard the natural beauty of the region.  

Ticket includes a hot drink & scone, jam and cream

Ticket price: £15 per person plus booking fee. 
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