The new Court Hill Centre, Wantage

Members will have been sad to hear the YHA's announcement earlier this year that their hostel at Court Hill near Wantage was to close with effect from 30th June, following disagreements between YHA and the owners, the Court Hill Trust. The YHA Hostel had operated since 1987 in the cluster of converted timber barns owned by the Trust. However, those attending the AGM of the Friends at the Centre on 25th March were relieved to hear that the Court Hill Trust planned to keep the Centre's accommodation open and to provide enhanced facilities and greater local and community access.

The YHA operation has now closed, but the new venture of Court Hill Trust has seamlessly succeeded it. The Manager, Simon Bunyard, continues in post under the new ownership, and has plans for new activities and facilities, with a broader-based operation appealing to a wider market. They will of course continue to welcome YHA members.

The Court Hill Centre will continue to offer accommodation, totalling 60 beds, in its two-storied bunkhouse, comprising both the traditional dormitories, and family rooms, together with two large tipis sleeping 5/6 each, and a camp-site for smaller tents. There are drying room, laundry and cycle shed facilities, and evening meals, breakfasts and packed lunches are all available. They now also offer bike hire, and two favourite routes can be downloaded, with maps, from the National Trails website.

The Centre also plans to widen its appeal both to the local community and to users of the Ridgeway in general. The Barn Tea Rooms will be open to all every day from 10.30am-5.30pm, offering drinks, ice creams, light lunches and teas, with their renowned home-made cakes; and a programme of summer activities for children will be offered, with craft sessions and courses in orienteering skills, etc, every Thursday through the holiday period. There are full details on the Centre's new web-site at www.courthill.org.uk.

Whilst YHA will no longer be operating the Ridgeway youth hostel at Court Hill, it wishes to provide new youth hostels within reach of the Ridgeway. A study has recently been carried out with the Chilterns Conservation Board to investigate possible new hostel opportunities within the Chilterns AONB, and our newsletter for Autumn 2006 described the new hostel next to the Goddard Arms pub at Clyffe Pypard, a short distance from Avebury, which is proving very popular for walkers and cyclists along the Ridgeway.