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YHA to run guest accommodation at Birdoswald

YHA is to offer accommodation at one of Cumbria's most important historic landmarks from tomorrow (12th July).   

Thanks to an agreement between Cumbria County Council and the Youth Hostels Association (England and Wales), visitors from all over the world will be able to stay in self-catering accommodation at Birdoswald Roman Fort Centre, near Gilsland, for just £11.50 per night.   

The partnership will run on a pilot basis for eight weeks. Guests will be accommodated in a converted farmhouse, originally built within the fort in the 16th Century.   

The farmhouse offers 36 beds, family rooms and even an Aga to cook on, and is an ideal place to stay for anyone planning to walk the newly-opened Hadrian's Wall Path.   

For those with a passion for history, Birdoswald is one of the best preserved of the 16 Roman forts built along the wall almost 2,000 years ago, standing above the spectacular Irthing Gorge. 

The centre is Cumbria's principal site for the interpretation of Hadrian's Wall and one of the World Heritage Site's leading visitor attractions. The fort has also featured on the Channel Four's popular archaeology TV series Time Team.   

YHA Regional manager for the North East Ian Baker said:   

"This is a very exciting opportunity for YHA and we are grateful to the county council for allowing us to operate the accommodation as a Youth Hostel this summer. 

"Although we'll only be running the accommodation here for eight weeks, Birdoswald will be an important addition to our Youth Hostel network in the North of England in 2003. It will be a rare chance for many guests to spend the night within one of the world's most important historic sites."   

County Councillor Tim Heslop, the council's spokesman on Culture and Heritage, said:   

"The County Council are very pleased to have been able to establish this pilot partnership with the YHA which opens up accommodation at Birdoswald to the huge market represented by the YHA membership. This comes at a very opportune time with the opening of the Hadrian's Wall National Trail and we look forward to seeing the results of this project at the end of the initial pilot period."   

If the pilot is successful, YHA hopes to provide accommodation at Birdoswald on a partnership basis in future seasons.   

Accommodation at YHA Birdoswald costs just: £11.50 per adult per night (£8.25 for under 18s) and includes admission to the fort and visitor centre. For more information or to book, telephone 0870 770 6124.