Wasdale New Year

Our traditional ECC winter week returns to Wasdale. This cosy youth hostel is ideal for winter events. The lakeside venue gives access to the amazing, and lesser-known, Western Fells. The hostel has large lakeside grounds alongside the dramatic Wastwater. Roaring fires, and the company of lovely men combine to make this a great way to see out the old year and welcome in the New Year. The vegetarian food will fill you up so you can enjoy the fells, wander along the lake or lounge round the fire. So whether you are looking for a magical and different way to spend your New Year, or are returning for more Wasdale wonders - come and join us in the Lake District for a week of ECC sparkle!

Wasdale Hall Youth Hostel

The Organisers

Your organisers this year are Adrian Steel, Oli O'Donohoe and Brian Ó'hÚrdail. All are ECC veterans and have organised events before. We all look forward to spending time with you! We are also always well-looked after by the YHA team led by Steve the Wasdale hostel manager.

Adrian Steel
I have been involved with ECC since 1999 and have attended numerous events over the years. I shall never forget my first gay men's week at High Close, having arrived feeling anxious and unsure of myself. Something melted inside me during that week, and I have never looked back since. Now, when I attend an ECC event it feels like a homecoming.

I am looking forward to this New Year’s week at Wasdale Hall for its coziness, its wonderful company and to enjoy the beautiful environment of the Lake District.

Oli O'Donohoe
I live and work in London and have been a regular at ECC events since 2016. Over the years, ECC has opened my eyes to the depth and vitality within our community — beyond the bars and clubs. It has offered space for intimacy, connection, and meaning in a culture so often driven by consumption. Through it, I’ve experienced profound and lasting personal transformation, for which I’m deeply grateful.

The Wasdale retreat is a favourite of mine. It softens that weird, wobbly stretch between Christmas and New Year with warmth, mischief, and a real sense of togetherness. I’m excited to be co-organising this year with Brian and Adrian, and can’t wait to help create something memorable.

Brian Ó'hÚrdail 
I came across ECC folk while volunteering for London Lighthouse in the 1980s. I went to my first Lauriston event in 1993, I think. I have been to around 15 or more ECC events since then. I have many fond memories of strong gentle phaery folk smiling and dancing, holding hands and hugging. These are now mingled into the bones of me.

I lived in London for many years but now back home in Dublin where I live and work.

I look forward to meeting old friends and new. Random meetings and conversations and continuously marvelling at the myriad wondrous and impressive noises mens’ vocal chords can create, in the depths of the night.

What to Expect

The stunning Wasdale landscape attracts keen walkers and there are spectacular walks for all abilities. Short low-level walks for those seeking exercise or maybe just a little stroll (to the local pub or the tea rooms). There are also more intrepid and challenging mountainous hikes suitable for the more weathered, experienced walkers or those who want to try it out. You'll definitely need suitable boots and warm waterproof clothing if you're planning to go out on the high fells. More information about what to bring will be sent out nearer the event.

Though many people take advantage of the local scenery, Wasdale isn’t just for walkers. There will be indoor activities and you may want to spend time relaxing in front of the fire, be cosy with a book, play games, sit up late chatting, make new friends, talk seriously, share hugs and laughter, and have fun with other men who love men. There will be plenty of scope both to facilitate and participate in activities and workshops - it all depends what those attending decide to bring and contribute. In recent years it's included dancing, singing, quizzes, meditation, massage, touch, yoga and Pilates, story-reading, graphology, making bread, drawing, outdoor theatre, a cabaret soiree (we have a decent music system and an excellent keyboard - so if you play, please bring along some music) and a New Year celebration.

There’s a special feeling of Midwinter at the Wasdale events - with the reflection of the moon in the lake or views of the moon through quick-moving clouds and the silhouette of the crags opposite. Inside, we usually gather round the fire and it’s cosy. Then as the New Year approaches, we can go out to the bonfire on the lake shore to mark the changing of the year. We often mark the winter changes in other ways too with a time together to reflect on and leave the past year and share aspects of what it’s meant to each of us and with hopes for the new. It is one of the things that brings a sense of togetherness within our temporary community. This year people may like to bring ideas or objects to help honour that change. We can talk in more detail about what we’d like to do to mark the New Year when we’re there.

Essential Information

Where: YHA Wasdale Hall, Wasdale, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1ET

Number of places: 26 places will be available on the week, and we'll reserve a proportion for first-time attenders until the end of October.  Places can fill up very quickly, so book soon!

Arrival: Sunday 28th December 2025 from 4pm to 6pm

Departure: Sunday 4th January 2026 by 11am

Access:  The building can present some physical challenges for people with mobility difficulties. The hostel website at  yha.org.uk has a link to their detailed access statement.

If you have further concerns or queries please contact us before booking.

Alcohol:  Wasdale Youth Hostel has a licensed bar selling local ales as well as a selection of wines and spirits. Licensing laws don't allow visitors to bring or consume alcohol that has been bought elsewhere, and we ask that you respect this.

Nearest shops: In Gosforth village about a 10-minute drive away. Please be aware that the Youth Hostel is in a beautiful but isolated spot.