University Rooms now offers accommodation – mostly in halls of residence - at 53 universities in 40 British towns and cities and many more abroad (including France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand).

With bookings up 20 per cent from last year, Ramsay admits he's surprised by how well the scheme has taken off. “I was expecting it to work very well in Oxford, Cambridge, London and Edinburgh, but I never expected to sign up 53 universities,” he says. One factor, he reckons, may be that student accommodation has improved hugely in recent years, with many rooms now en suite.

That's certainly the case at York, one of the most popular universities in the scheme. Most of its bookable rooms are singles and available only during college holidays, but Franklin House, the purpose-built guest block where we're staying, has doubles and is open all year.

Our room is clean, smart and functional – bed, desk-cum-dressing table, wardrobe, TV – with a small en suite shower room. Toiletries and tea and coffee are provided and breakfast is served in an on-site restaurant. All told, it suggests a good no-frills budget hotel.

But nostalgia is drumming its fingers. In my day, the university seemed like a garden village; now it's like a satellite town, and ever-expanding. Where I remember lawns there are now wooded glades. It has two supermarkets and a lot of cafes. Porter's lodges are now called Reception. My era's Baby Bellings (spaghetti on toast a speciality) have given way to proper cookers and microwaves in student kitchens. And the Sixties buildings look decidedly retro.

Being back is surreal, particularly at the quiet end-of-term. Like a ghost in my own past, I find memories round every corner. The place where the bar football table used to be. Formal college parties (“Another glass of Blue Nun?” “No thanks, I'll stick to the Hirondelle.”) The Canada geese: still honking round the lake – and, glory be, over there's a great crested grebe with its chicks.

We take a bus into the centre of York (ten minutes) and join the tourist crowds. As we pass St Helen's church, just down from the Minster, the sound of a choir drifts out. They're singing Bridge Over Troubled Water. We've reached the end of Nostalgia cul-de-sac.

Single en suite rooms at Franklin House cost from £48 per night; doubles from £84. Other York student rooms (all singles), from £34 (en suite) or £28 (shared bathroom). All rates include breakfast. Book on universityrooms.com (no telephone booking).

Excellent food, friendly staff and significant clusters of academics at the convivial Deramore Arms (01904 413433; thederamorearmsyork.co.uk) in Heslington, the village adjoining the main York campus.

Six of the best university stays

Cambridge
Clare College, the university's second oldest (founded 1326), is among 19 Cambridge colleges offering student rooms. Many are in historic buildings and are tourist destinations in their own right. The rooms, generally strong on bookshelves, are often grouped around courtyards and at some breakfast is served in the college hall (including Jesus, five-star-rated as campus accommodation by EnjoyEngland). En suite Cambridge singles from £55 per night (£44 with shared bathroom); twins from £80.

^{Clare College is the university's second oldest establishment. Photo: AP}