YHA Clun, YHA Coalport, YHA Leominster, YHA Wilderthorpe and YHA Danywenallt will be throwing their doors open to the local community on September 6, as part of the annual celebrations for YHA Day 2015.

The special weekend will provide the local community, passing walkers and cyclists the opportunity to come inside and see what the Youth Hostels have to offer. As well as learning about the modern face lift of the Youth Hostelling charity, there will be an unmissable offer for visitors with a 50 percent discount on annual membership of YHA (England and Wales).

Neil Baldwin Operations Manager of YHA Wilderhope explained: "We are really looking forward to YHA Day 2015 and welcoming people to the Youth Hostel. We're keen to show people that you don't have to be YHA Member to use the facilities here. In the spirit of YHA, we're open to everyone, whether they want to enjoy a drink or lunch in our café, hire a room for a meeting or even volunteer their time to help maintain the fantastic facilities we have here."

YHA Day is also a major celebration for the charity's 85th birthday, which not only provides outstanding accommodation and learning experiences for young people and their families, but also fantastic outdoor space and room hire, all of which are accessible to non-members.

Importantly, as well as fundraising, YHA Day 2015 is also designed to raise awareness of the 85-year young charity and the dramatic image change it has had in recent years. Gone are the days of draughty dormitories, sheet sleeping bags and chores. Today, Youth Hostels couldn't be more different. With more than £34 million invested in the network during the last 10 years, many YHAs now boast contemporary-styled interiors, private en suite family rooms, camping facilities, restaurants and bars with some even having honeymoon suites; and you don't have to be a member to stay with YHA.

Caroline White, Chief Executive of YHA (England and Wales) explained: "YHA Day is our way of saying thank you to all the local communities that support us. It also gives us the opportunity to welcome newcomers to YHA and give them a sense of what we're all about."

Importantly, YHA Day is also designed to raise awareness of the dramatic image change YHA (England and Wales) has had in recent years.

Since 2010 YHA (England and Wales) has completely refurbished 35 Youth Hostels at a cost of £22 million. The extensive refurbishment programme earned YHA the title of Best UK Hotel in the 2014 Guardian Travel Awards, beating established hotel chains Marriott and Radisson to the top spot.

Alongside the refurbishment programme YHA has also invested £10 million in six brand new Youth Hostels at the Eden Project, Brighton, Castleton in Derbyshire, Cardiff, South Downs and Berwick.

Gone are the days of draughty dormitories, sheet sleeping bags and chores. Today, Youth Hostels couldn't be more different. The £32 million investment in YHA's network has created comfortable, contemporary-styled accommodation. Today's Youth Hostels now boast contemporary-styled interiors, private en suite family rooms, camping facilities, restaurants and bars with some even having honeymoon suites; and you don't have to be a member to stay with YHA.

Caroline added: "Our mission is to inspire all, especially young people, to broaden their horizons gaining knowledge and independence through new experiences of adventure and discovery. YHA Day 2015 is an opportunity for us to show people what a great time they can have when they stay with us or use our facilities."

Details of all events being held at Youth Hostels throughout England and Wales on YHA Day 2015 can be found at yha.org.uk/yha-day.