Dear YHA,
I fell in love with Berwick-upon-Tweed when visiting YHA Berwick.
The windswept Northumbrian coast, a place of mystery and ancient battles. Often referred to as a ‘disappointed Scot’ for my Tyneside roots when I was growing up in Edinburgh, this journey was both a coming home and a fact-finding tour for my book, Beyond the Sandbar, an historical adventure story based on my grandfather and great uncle’s war service, both of whom were Geordie lads.
Sitting on the coast near the border with Scotland, YHA Berwick was an ideal place to start our trip down memory lane. The hostel building, a modern conversion of an old granary, is fully wheelchair accessible, with lifts and ground floor disabled rooms, ideal for our daughter who walks with sticks. The hostel has a modern feel, but we got the same old traditional YHA welcome from its friendly staff.
Our week-long itinerary included a visit to Alnwick and the White Swan Inn. A favourite haunt of my grandfather who worked as a travelling carpet salesman after the war, the Swan is home to a rather grand dining room panelled with oak from the RMS Olympic, a sister ship to the ill-fated Titanic.
Whilst lunch at the Swan was magnificent, our visit to the nearby Roman Army Museum was the highlight of our trip. Although heaps of Roman shoes, crowds of writing tablets and hordes of priceless coins were fascinating, a new exhibit at the museum was truly astonishing. Found in the River Rhine, an intact Centurion’s helmet with the name of the soldier who wore it inscribed inside (L. Lucretius Celeris) was delivered to the museum whilst we were there. Holding this precious artefact, which appeared almost new, the museum curator allowed us to see it before he placed it in its case; truly a moment to remember!
My wife and I have been avid youth hostellers since our early age and enjoy them still as an affordable way to explore this wonderful country of ours. For me, the credo of YHA, it’s inclusivity and its intention to be there for all, is what draws us to the organisation.
Warmest regards,
Nick Gosman
Do you have any fond memories of YHA? Maybe a trip you took when you were younger? Or a getaway you went on with loved ones? We would love to hear them! Please share them with us via our social media channels. We look forwarding to hearing from you!
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