YHA National Forest is an ultra-modern youth hostel set in the heart of the National Forest. It is close to the Conkers visitor attraction in Moira, Derbyshire, on the Leicestershire and Staffordshire borders.

The £1.78million building opened in December 2007 and typifies the revamp the Youth Hostels Association is undergoing to bring itself up to date and meet the needs of today’s travelers. It caters for school groups and families.

It can accommodate up to 83 people in 23 two, three and four-bedded rooms each with en suite facilities. There is a bar, bistro and coffee shop, offering fantastic British food and modern bar culture with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Other facilities include a classroom, lounge, garden with patio lawn and games area, cycle store, laundry, washing machine and internet access. 

 GREEN FEATURES

YHA National Forest is packed with eco-friendly features showing how the use of timber in construction and wood for heat are both sustainable and practical.

The building has been designed with roof overhangs creating pleasant shaded veranda spaces, and preventing overheating through the windows. Internal shutters insulate against the extremes of heat and cold. Vents at the top of the building provide in-built ventilation so removing any need for air-conditioning.

Heating is provided by a wood-fuelled boiler, using sustainable wood chips sourced locally in the Forest. The water is heated by solar panels. Spray taps and showers rather than baths have been fitted to reduce water consumption. There are underground tanks holding rain captured for ‘grey water use’, i.e. flushing the loos.