Founded well over a century ago in 1892, the Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club is one of the UK’s senior exploration, mountaineering and caving clubs.
The YRC has always been an exploration club, not just a climbing, or a caving or a mountaineering club. You only need to read the early articles and lecture programmes (in Club Proceedings sections of the Journals) to see a membership fascinated by exploring the unknown both physically and intellectually. The Club has reflected the interests of its membership with the focus of effort moving between climbing, mountaineering and caving as members came and went, but from the very beginning it has been a collaboration. This is the paradox and joy of the unique position that the YRC fills.
So, whether you are a caver, climber, mountaineer, scrambler, hill-walker or ski-tourer, the Club has plenty to offer you and you can read more on the Activities page. The one thing we never do is ramble and we have no links whatsoever with the Ramblers Association!
We have an active programme of Meets throughout the year, spread across the UK and internationally. The meets list usually includes a couple of European meets and often a trip to one of the greater ranges – Himalayas, South America, High Sierras, China etc.
The YRC has two well-equipped Club properties fondly referred to as ‘huts’: a traditional Lakes cottage in Little Langdale and a purpose-built club headquarters near Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales. Members can stay at these and bring their families and guests. These huts are also available for external groups to book. We also have access to Reciprocal Rights Hutsbelonging to a number of kindred clubs which give our members access to a wider range of accommodation at preferential rates.
We have some 160 members living across the UK, but our roots are in firmly in Yorkshire. We take pride in giving new Prospective Members and guests a very warm welcome, so come and see what we are up to next and join in – Prospective Membership is free.
UK meets are generally catered for by the organiser, so you just need to bring lunches and refreshments. On the hill, members and guests fragment into smaller parties by inclination and ability to tackle their mutual objectives, so you will always find a few of us who are up for whatever you want to do. You can find out more on the A Typical YRC Meet page and in recent Meet Reports. The review of the Club’s recent history will give you some more information about us.
So, if you are interested in joining a friendly, active club with a wide scope of activities at all levels of difficulty in and outside the UK please contact the Membership Secretary for more details.
About the Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club – FAQs
What is the Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club?
The YRC is a long-established club for experienced and competent hillwalkers, scramblers, climbers, mountaineers, ski-tourers, snowshoers, cavers and explorers who want to meet enthusiastic like-minded individuals to pursue their chosen activities in the UK and abroad. We don’t ramble in today’s meaning of the word!
Do I have to live in Yorkshire to join the YRC?
No, the Club has members living in all parts of the UK and some abroad. We are a national club, but our heart is definitely in Yorkshire.
Where do YRC members live in the UK?
Members live across the UK but as you would expect for a club with its heart in Yorkshire, our members are mainly drawn from northern England.
Does the YRC have any connection with the Ramblers Association?
Absolutely not - we are a mountaineering and caving club, NOT a rambling club and have no affiliation with Ramblers Yorkshire or the Ramblers Association.
The Club was formed in 1892 and is the oldest regional English mountaineering club and second only in England to the Alpine Club. We celebrated our 130th anniversary in 2022. You can read more about the rich history of the YRC by visiting the First 100 Years page.
How many members does the YRC have?
The YRC is a medium sized club with around 160 members, so it is relatively easy to get to know the active membership.
Does the YRC have any Honorary Members?
The Club has five external Honorary Members: mountaineer Alan Hinkes OBE; Himalayan mountaineer Chewang Motup Goba; caver Andy Eavis; and Maria and Philip Farrer, who continue the tradition of caring for the Ingleborough Estate. In addition there are currently eight members who have been elected to Honorary Membership following outstanding service to the Club over many years.
What does the YRC do?
The Club runs a varied programme of UK and overseas meets which allow members to enjoy their interests and to network. We also manage two Club huts: one in the Yorkshire Dales and the other in the Lake District for the benefit of members and their families.
What are the aims of the YRC?
The aims of the Club are to organise walking, mountaineering and skiing excursions, to encourage the exploration of caves and potholes and the pursuit of other outdoor activities and to gather and promote knowledge concerning natural history, archaeology, folklore and kindred subjects.
How can I contact YRC members living near me?
Club members receive an annual Handbook and access to the members area of the website with its contacts database which allows them to contact other members in their area. The Membership Secretary and Secretary can help introduce Prospective Members to their nearest members.
Joining the Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club – FAQs
How do I find out more about the YRC?
Simply contact Helen Smith, the Membership Secretary or Mick Borroff, the Secretary using the Contact Form. Helen or Mick will then get in touch with you to have a chat about the YRC and to answer your questions about the Club.
How easy is it to join the YRC?
Joining is straightforward - just visit the How to Join page for more details about our requirements and the application process. You can also read about the benefits of membership here too.
What are the benefits of joining the YRC?
Go somewhere new with the opportunity to attend our varied programme of outdoor meets in the UK and abroad.
Spend time on the hill and in huts with like-minded, experienced hillwalkers, mountaineers, climbers and cavers.
Get informal help and advice from the more experienced members of the club.
Use of our two excellent huts in the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District at members rates
Access to huts of our Kindred Clubs at reduced rates and to other organisations accommodation.
Discounts at many outdoor equipment retailers.
A range of benefits provided by the BMC to its Club Members e.g. insurance, training, Summit magazine.
Regular Newsletters, a members handbook and an Annual Journal.
How much does it cost to join the YRC?
Prospective Membership is free for the first three months. Thereafter, £29.33 is payable in 2025 which includes becoming a BMC Club Member (£14.67 after 1st July) with its attendant benefits.
Full YRC membership for 2024-25 is £65.00 and £32.50 for those under 25 or in full-time education. Full YRC members resident overseas pay £45.00.
What does my YRC membership fee pay for?
Your membership fee pays for joining the British Mountaineering Council as a Club Member, an annual copy of the printed YRC Journal and club handbook and contributes to the overall running costs of the club including British Caving Association membership, AGM hosting, website and development, office expenses such as stationery, postage etc. The BMC subscription takes the lion's share of our membership fee and its many benefits are summarised here.
How long does it take to join the YRC?
We usually ask that you attend at least three full Club Meets, so to a large extent, the duration of your Prospective Membership is up to you and perhaps your current level of competence in your chosen activities. Once you have the support of a Proposer and Seconder, the processing of your application by the Committee is normally completed within two weeks.
Are there any age restrictions on joining the YRC?
Membership of the YRC is open to any person over the age of 18 years.
Does the YRC accept junior members?
Whilst the YRC is an adult club, children or grandchildren of Members and Prospective Members may join as Junior Prospective Members and become eligible for full membership on turning 18.
Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club Meets – FAQs
How do I book on to my first Meet?
You should contact the Membership Secretary, who will be happy to assist you and will help with an introduction to the leader of your first Meet. Once you are confirmed as a Prospective Member, you will be able to book your own place on meets using the online Meet Booking system on our website.
There are always some members travelling to UK Meets in their own cars and they generally arrange to provide lifts for other participants needing them. Those travelling by public transport can often be picked up at a convenient bus or railway station etc. Attendees can offer or request lifts using the on-line Meet Booking system and the Meet leader will help facilitate car sharing.
Does the YRC have introductory or family Meets?
The Club has at least one introductory meet per year where inexperienced adults and young persons are encouraged to try a range of new activities. Members families and their children are welcomed on these occasions and many have climbed, abseiled, caved and camped for the first time.
Can Junior Prospective Members attend Meets?
Junior Prospective Members may attend suitable Club meets but only when accompanied by a member relative.
Members live across the UK but as you would expect for a club with its heart in Yorkshire, our members are mainly drawn from northern England.