An educational trip is never more fun than when it involves getting out into the countryside. There are a few very special places that manage to stand on the intersection between fun, historical fascination and geographic diversity. Robin’s Hood Bay and, specifically, the YHA Boggle Hole manage to capture that versatility and package it into one fine school excursion opportunity.
Accommodation Fit for Fun and Learning
With a list of amenities that include a café, a cosy wood burning stove and pirate-themed rooms, Boggle Hole is a great location for pupils to safely and comfortably spend a few days together. Surrounded by verdant grounds filled with treasure trails, woods and sea views of Robin’s Hood Bay, the quiet beauty of the Yorkshire countryside will also impress upon them its importance to our cultural and geographical heritage.
Not only does the area have wildlife distinction, but the bay’s rich history of pirate invasions, smugglers’ dens and dinosaur bones render this location fertile ground for young minds.
YHA Boggle Hole Facilities
The converted former mill is as charming as it gets. With en-suite rooms, 42 dorms, classrooms, a courtyard for outdoor games, picnic areas, free wifi and a beach close by, it is also well facilitated.
Since a £1.2 million renovation in 2015, there is also an annexe called the Crow’s Nest. It is a timber frame building that overlooks the valley below, boasting a further 44 beds and fantastic views, as well as a communal eating room with benches and long tables. It contains en-suites and group dormitories, which are modern, clean and well maintained.
Also available is the Boat Shed, a great space for meetings and group activities, and the Quarterdeck café, which is open to guests and the public alike – meaning its quality goes beyond usual hostel fare.
Programmes
Workshops are also run onsite to bolster the itinerary of an educational trip, as well as pirate parties for school groups. The genial staff are always willing to add their input to the themes of treasure and sea shanties. Seashore Safari’s on the beach is suited to younger classes learning about a smuggler’s life in the bay. There are also dinosaur programmes that come as part of the Discovery Package.
The proximity of the North York Moors National Park makes for ancient, pre-historic geological interest for subject-specific trips as well. Students are free to roam over these ruggedly romantic landscapes and bring their book learning to life.
Organising the Trip
There is a large variety of different types of school trip packages available at YHA Boggle Hole – from adventure and outdoors, to local history and geographical studies. Because of this wide range, it’s a good idea to allow a specialist school travel operator to take care of educational trip details. All teachers need do is inform them about the purpose of the visit and they can create a bespoke itinerary to beautiful and historic Robin’s Hood Bay.
John Gardiner is the Managing Director of The School Travel Company, a tour operator specialising in educational trip itineraries for school and youth groups to the UK, Europe and beyond. As a father and avid traveller, John is very passionate about providing students with valuable and engaging learning experiences outside of the classroom. By sharing his expert advice with teachers, he allows them to inspire their students and bring their studies to life.
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