Well, today marks a big occasion for me. 4 years ago today, 13 October 2016, I moved to England. It has been a rollercoaster and I wasn’t really sure what to write about for this year. Life has been pretty tough lately, what with the pandemic and losing my job (you can read more about that in last month’s recap). I currently can’t go home and have been so incredibly homesick the last few months.  I don’t feel like I have a lot to celebrate today.

But every year on this day, I’ve published a big post on something to do with my life abroad. In 2017 (after my first year here), I wrote about 15 Harsh Truths About Living In England. In 2018, I wrote about What I’ve Learned About British Culture After 2 Years Living In England. In 2019, I wrote about 3 Years Of Living In England: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly. This year, I struggled to come up with a topic or a theme. Like I said, I don’t really feel that with everything else I’m going through right now, this milestone is something to celebrate.

However, the silver lining to everything that’s happened this year—pandemic, lockdown, canceled trips, not seeing my family—has to exist. And for me, that silver lining has been the chance to explore the UK like never before.

With all my trips canceled, what did I do? Well for starters, I went hiking a lot. I also went camping a lot more than I usually would. I explored more of my beloved Yorkshire than I ever could have dreamed would be possible. I re-visited places around the UK that I went to years and years ago and had never been back. I took an epic road trip to some of the most remote corners of the country. While the last few years have seen me hopping all over Europe on trips (including visiting every country in Eastern Europe!), with that option gone due to travel restrictions I stayed close to home and went out in my local area.

2019 was the first year that I visited all four countries that make up the UK in one single calendar year: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Little did I know that this would be such a precursor to the following year!

There truly are so many amazing places to visit in the UK, some are popular with Brits and some aren’t. Some are busy with international tourists, and some aren’t. Limited to only domestic travel, I’m proud and happy to have seen so much more of the UK in the last year.

My originaly plan for 2020 (lol) did have a lot of UK-based travel in it already: Orkney in Scotland, hiking Hadrian’s Wall, and more weekend trips of course, like the Lakes. But I didn’t make plans to see as much of the country as I’ve ended up doing this year. Again, it’s the silver lining. Those trips were canceled, and I was devastated. (And pretty annoyed, as by the time July came around I was in the best physical condition for hiking I’ve ever been in, and would have loved to do Hadrian’s Wall in such good walking shape!) But I’ve enjoyed getting to see so much more of the city, county, and country around me!

After four years in England, I thought I had seen a lot of the UK. But the beauty about this country is that there is always something more to discover. Despite my local adventures this year, my bucket list is still growing longer. Each time I tick something off I would add a few more places to see on the next trip! I’d love to go to Cornwall via Dartmoor National Park—I visited both in January 2014 when I was studying abroad, and don’t feel like I experienced them fully being limited to public transport! I am also basically obsessed with taking a trip to the Malvern Hills, and hope to make that happen one weekend. A road trip around the Cairngorms National Park and the northeast coast of Scotland (Aberdeenshire) is high on my bucket list as well. And of course, I’m dying to see more of the Scottish islands: Orkney, Lewis and Harris, Mull, and Shetland are my priority in the coming years.

Here are some of the places I’ve loved exploring the most this year.

The York Area

Well, obviously I’m a bit biased. York has been my home for 4 years, and I love this city so much. Only being allowed outside for one daily walk/exercise during lockdown, I managed to discover so much more of the area than I would have thought existed! I wrote about the best walks in and around York, which has turned out to be a very popular post.

I loved walking down the Foss river path. I loved finding out that there is a pedestrian footpath through an actual army barracks in Fulford. I loved the view of Bishopthorpe Palace from across the River Ouse. I loved hiking the solar system, discovering the quiet oasis of St. Nick’s, and enjoying the riverside views around Rawcliffe country park. I never would have discovered these places without lockdown, and it was definitely a silver lining! I hope to do a lot more exploring around York in the coming months.

Yorkshire

Yorkshire truly is God’s Own County—and if you don’t believe me, I’ve got 55 places to visit in Yorkshire to prove you wrong 😉 Once lockdown restrictions eased enough to allow daytrips (overnight stays weren’t allowed until several weeks later), I made the most of York’s excellent location and got out to all different corners of Yorkshire. I saw puffins (!!!) at Bempton Cliffs, hiked the picturesque green countryside of Swaledale, and discovered the Yorkshire Wolds (which have to be the best-kept secret in Yorkshire). I also went back to a few of my favorites, like the Hole of Horcum, and did the hike from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay again. I love this area. I love so many places here. There truly is something for everyone here.

Peak District

Being less than 2-hour drive in some places to where I live, I got to so many new places in the Peak District this year! The Peaks has to be one of the most underrated destinations in England—while a lot of people go, it still manages to fly under the radar for a lot of international tourists. Searching for airplane wrecks around Bleaklow and Kinder, admiring the views from the Trinnacle on Saddleworth Moor, being in three places at once at Three Shires Head, hiking up Chrome Hill and Shutlingsloe and the Roaches… the list goes on. I’ve been to just about every corner of the Peaks this year and I loved it! While the Peak District is a national park, there are actually a lot of options for public transportation. For those without a car, this is a great place to enjoy the outdoors.

Lake District

Heaven on earth. My love for the Lake District knows no bounds and my two trips to the Lakes in 2020 have filled me to the brim with gratitude. I’ve seen so many new places in the Lake District, and I have finally wild camped here as well! My trip in September saw me do the half-horseshoe around Buttermere, including some spectacular views from Fleetwith Pike. The most magical moment for me was seeing the sunrise at Castlerigg Stone Circle back in July. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

Cumbria

The Lake District steals Cumbria’s thunder most of the time, but I finally managed to see more of the county of Cumbria outside the Lakes this year! Hiking High Cup Nick in the Eden Valley had been on my bucket list for years. This really is a beautiful area, and one that is all too often overshadowed by the impressive Lake District fells. I also loved exploring more of the North Pennines. I would love to come back here for another weekend at some point!

Northumberland

It took me 3.5 years of living in England to get to Northumberland, and I’m so glad I finally made it! This was my last trip before lockdown, a weekend getaway to Northumberland. There is SO MUCH to see and do here, and I desperately want to go back. With incredible scenery in Northumberland National Park, historic castles everywhere you look, and the chance to drive across the sea at low tide onto Lindisfarne, Northumberland is full of unique experiences. There’s so much more though, and I’d love to go back to see more of the national park, explore Kielder Forest Park, and visit Alnwick Castle. The best part about Northumberland is that it’s easy enough to reach from both Edinburgh and most northern cities like York or Leeds. Northumberland isn’t that far away and I’m ashamed it took me so long to finally visit!

The Causeway Coast

At the end of October 2019, I had a fantastic trip to Nothern Ireland and a real highlight was roadtripping the Causeway Coast! Most people will do just a daytrip but we had three days and I’m so glad we did. The popular stops like the Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge were amazing, but there were so many other incredible places, like Torr Head, Kinbane Castle, and Binevenagh. I found Northern Ireland very budget friendly compared to other parts of the UK. This is such an underrated part of the UK but definitely a wonderful destination for a road trip!

Brecon Beacons

I first visited the Brecon Beacons in December 2013, when I was studying abroad in Nottingham and on my Christmas break. Adam and I went back this year, and I loved getting to explore this area properly! There are so many great hikes, like Pen y Fan, and the area is just beautiful. Wild horses, waterfalls, and Welsh whisky make this a great destination in Wales. Don’t miss it!

Mid-Wales/South Snowdonia

Driving from the Brecon Beacons up to north Wales, I realized I’ve done Wales a disservice by never visiting mid-Wales. Wow! The scenery was spectacular, and I felt at times like I had it all to myself (probably because we were the only ones at certain places!). I’d love to come back with more time on another trip.

North Wales, especially the northern part of Snowdonia National Park, sees lots of visitors—both domestic and international. But south Snowdonia felt much more low-key. The hike up Cadair Idris is popular, but sharing the summit with 5 other people is nothing compared to the hour-long queues you now see at the top of Snowdon. This part of the park would be a great choice for avoiding the crowds.

North Coast 500

One of the most epic trips you can take in the UK has to be the North Coast 500 around the tip of Scotland. When I say epic, I mean EPIC. Crystal clear water and sandy beaches, grand mountain ranges, single-track roads through gorgeous valleys… the North Coast 500 has it all. I’ve done a road trip to Scotland for the past three years: in 2018, it was a short trip up to Glencoe and Fort William. In 2019, it was a stunning week around the Isle of Skye. This year in 2020, it was the North Coast 500.

I can’t wait to share more about this journey with you all—I have so many blog posts to work on and to publish! But if you’re looking for adventure around the UK next year, look into the North Coast 500. You won’t regret it.

What’s Next?

Well, I have no plans right now as local lockdowns will impact my trips as much as worldwide shutdowns canceled all my trips earlier in the year. With the uncertainty around my job situation and finances, this is probably a blessing in disguise. I have no idea when I will be able to go home to Minnesota and see my family, which hurts so much it almost feels like a physical ache at times. I don’t want to get my hopes up and be disappointed with more cancelations, so nothing is booked. I just have vague ideas of plans I’d like to do at some point, and maybe next year getting to take the trips that were canceled in 2020.

If it’s safe to do so and tourism is allowed, I hope to continue exploring Britain. And of course, seeing as much of Yorkshire as humanly possible. After four years here, I still feel like I’m only now getting under the surface of this country as a destination. And I am still constantly finding new places I need to go to around Yorkshire!

Most of my blog posts and content for the foreseeable future will be centered on UK travel. As I catch up on lots of my hiking trips and adventures from the summer, there will be lots of new stuff coming out. Whether you’re able to travel here or not, I hope you enjoy them! If travel isn’t on the cards right now, bookmark them for when the time comes to plan your trip and visit 🙂

This year has been horrible and strange and weird, but there are still positives to take from it all. I have loved my adventures around the country this year, and at the end of it all I am grateful that they were able to happen. The uncertainty around the future is so overwhelming for me at times, but whatever happens will happen.

A huge thank you to all of you, each and every single person reading this right now, for coming along on this journey with me. For supporting me over the last four years. I would not be here without it and my appreciation and gratitude come from the bottom of my heart. Thank you!

Have you explored more of your local area this year due to the pandemic? If so, what were your favorite new discoveries? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

You might like my other posts on life abroad:

15 Harsh Truths About Living In England

What I’ve Learned About British Culture After 2 Years Living In England

3 Years Of Living In England: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

5 Years Since Nottingham: Reflections On My Study Abroad

Getting My UK Driver’s License: My Battle With The Wrong Side Of The Road

What I Wish I Knew Before I Moved Abroad

13 Tips For Surviving Life Abroad

All posts in my life abroad category!

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