I’ve lived in the UK for nearly five years of my life. That’s kind of crazy, when I think about it… other than Canada, there’s no other place I’ve spent as much time in, and no other place I’ve so emphatically called my home. It started with a nine-month stint in 2008, when I lived in Edinburgh with my then-boyfriend. After living in Japan for over two years, then spending a year travelling around Asia and North America, and then another year in Central and South America, I returned to the UK, though this time to London, England. Since that spring day over three years ago, London has been my home, through and through.
In all these years then, I’ve had the chance to explore a bit of the UK. I’ve seen Cornwall and the Isle of Skye, the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland and the major cities of Wales. I’ve partied in Leeds, watched football in Brighton, driven around the Lake District, shopped in Newcastle, and eaten delicious food in Manchester. All in all, I’ve loved my time exploring the UK… but none of what I’ve done holds a candle to what Emma Higgins of Gotta Keep Movin’ has done.
Emma and I met many years ago, in a stuffy little hostel dorm in Mendoza, Argentina. We quickly discovered we were both travel bloggers, and kept in touch after we parted ways. Since then, we’ve also met up in Toronto, Athens, and London. And last year, Emma did something quite extraordinary: she travelled for an entire year throughout the UK and Ireland. From north to south, east to west, Emma explored as much as she possibly could of these great lands, talking to people, writing their stories, and photographing the places they call home.
She has now compiled all of those stories in a beautiful travel journal, the first of an annual series (her next project is a year in Portugal, where she’s currently based). Perfect as a gift, as a coffee table book, as a way to reflect on your own time in the UK, or as a way to find even more locations to add to your wanderlust list, A Year in the UK and Ireland is a collection of carefully curated photographs and words. If you’re already a reader of Emma’s blog, you’ll know of her aptitude with both, and this book is a reflection of all of her talents (as well as the talents of the other contributors, James Higgins, Grace Harding, and Charli Moore).
What I love so much about this travel magazine is how in-depth each of the stories is, and how each one is woven with both the personality and introspection of the author as well as the history and the feel of the place visited. Divided into four sections – spring, summer, autumn, and winter – the stories go above and beyond the normal travel narrative, and I loved reading about places and activities I had never even heard of: wine tasting in Gloucestershire, exploring the clifftops of Inishowen, or braving the cold in southwest Wales. It’s the kind of journal you pick up again and again, always surprised by something new. And again – the photography is absolutely stunning.
Click here to purchase your own copy of A Year in the UK and Ireland – it’s required reading for all those who love the UK and Ireland as much as I do (and I know there must be many of you). I also have one copy to give away to somebody in – naturally – the UK or Ireland, so if you’re interested in entering the giveaway, please comment here with your favourite location in the British Isles and I’ll choose one at random by October 12th.
What’s your favourite location in the UK and/or Ireland? Would you like to spend a year travelling around your home country?
46 comments
Travelling around my country for a year would be amazing. My favourite place in Ireland is Galway i absolutely love the city and visit every year
Amazing! I’d love to go back to Galway.
Hello Brenna! Thanks for introducing me to Emma and her blog, and this interesting book 🙂
I’ve lived in Manchester for almost 2 years, and I’ve done my share of exploring the UK while I was there. Can’t really choose one or even two places as favorites, there are so many!
Oh well, I loved Snowdon mountains (and Wales), Lake District, the pretty towns of Oxford and York, Edinburgh <3 and central London with all its history and atmosphere. The Giant's Causeway is spectacular, the Cliffs of Moher were very picturesque and County Wicklow won me over. Also, I'm a big fan of ancient megalithic monuments and medieval castles, both of which UK and Ireland have plenty to show!
Can't wait to return to the UK to explore the Scottish highlands and the Isle of Skye.
I'll definitely enjoy reading this book, cue nostalgia!
I agree – there’s so much to see in the UK! I need to spend more time in Scotland, even though I lived there for nine months. Thanks for your comment, Nicky!
So many places to choose from! I’m going to have to say London though. What it lacks in beauty it makes up for in its history and diversity. I never tire of visiting.
Yep… I love London with all my heart. 😀
Well I actually do currently live in Nottingham. Though I’ve only been here for two weeks, I’m spending a year working on my masters. Though I still haven’t seen much of England, I have spent some time in Ireland and Northern Ireland. I think my favorite place I’ve seen so far would be Dunluce castle. There’s just something so eerily beautiful about castle ruins. I feel like it would be the perfect setting for some kind of photo shoot, be it for a wedding or just for fun. It’s just so photogenic.
Id love to spend a year traveling around, especially since this isn’t my home country. I’d love to see more of the country I’m currently calling home. Hopefully I’ll have time between working on my masters to travel.
Yes, Dunluce is amazing! I went there earlier this year. I also need to see more of the UK!
I adore London and always say Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities in the world.. However since you have asked the question and I’ve had to stop and think, I want to say Bristol! The people, the access to other parts of the UK, the beautiful rows of pastel coloured Clifton houses, the hub for charities and equally night life. It is equally beautiful in every season and is one of the best places to just go for a walk, turns out my gut has a new favourite, thank you for the revelation!
Yes… Bristol is so great! I’ve only been once, but I really need to visit again. Thanks for your comment, Roxanne!
Heyy hey. I’m gonna throw in that my favourite place is little old Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, there’s the caves nearby, stately homes and it’s an adorable little town with close access to holiday islands, I just think it’s fabulous.
Sounds amazing! I’d love to go.
I love the premise of this book! I’ve been living in the UK for a year and a half, but feel like I haven’t seen enough yet somehow! A few of my favourite places so far are Edinburgh, London, Skye, and Glencoe.
Hi Ashley! I’d like to send you the book… Emma will be in touch soon 🙂
I’ve been in London now for almost 2 years, and am just about to go back to New York. I really liked Cardiff when I went for an ultimate tournament during the summer. The park by the castle is so huge and awesome!
Yes, the castle in Cardiff is incredible!
I’m currently trying to relocate to the UK for two years as a volunteer. It’s been my lifetime goal to move there! My favorite place in the UK is Manchester. And of course, I also love London!
As to spending a year traveling around my home country: yes and no. I’m from the US and have done my fair share of US road trips. I’m sure there are still great places to explore, but I think I’d rather spend time abroad. You can only take so many cities with the same strip mall!
Manchester is such a cool city! Very underrated, I think. I hope it all goes smoothly for you!
I love Bath! I was just there two weeks ago for the first time. Such a blended town of Roman history and British countryside adorableness. Can’t wait to go back.
I would love to go back, too! It’s such a beautiful place.
The book looks wonderful – I will definitely have to buy it. I’ve been coming to the UK for over 40 years now (trip number 27 coming up 8 weeks from today!) so have seen a lot but still,there is so much to see yet. Of course I have to revisit favourites as well! I based myself in the UK for six months last year (with trips to Turkey, Madeira, etc. – how can a person resist the cheap airfares?) which was a dream come true for me. Of course my favourite is London (I am obsessed with the place!) but I do have a soft spot for the Gloucestershire countryside. My grandparents emigrated to Canada from there and I grew up hearing my much loved grandma’s stories of her childhood there. I also have family on the Yorkshire coast which is so beautiful. And then a boyfriend introduced me to his home county of Sussex and now I love it as well. I never grow tired of it and in fact now that I am retired I have been spending increasing amount of time there. I feel like I am torn between two countries!
As far as exploring my own country for a year – yes I would love that. For years I have dreamed of basing myself in cities such as Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Halifax and St Johns for about six weeks each and exploring the city at my leisure as well as the surrounding countryside. Perhaps a combination of petsitting and cheap accommodation through a university dorm or airbnb? There is just so much to see as well here in Canada. I guess you could see my heart is half Maple leaf and half Union Jack!! 🙂
P.S. For competition purposes: I”m not in the UK but will be at the end of November.:)
I would love to see more of Canada, too… I’ve done a few road trips but I think it’s time for another one! There is so much to explore in our great land.
And wow – you’ve done so much in the UK, that’s incredible!
Hi! This has been on my list to buy for the last month or so and am so thankful you shared your thoughts! 🙂 As a US expat in Ireland I have truly loved every second of my time here and have no intention of leaving any time soon. My favorite place is a tie between Connemara in western Ireland or the Isle of Skye (particularly the Point of Sleate).
I definitely recommend the book! It’s so beautiful. And great choices for your favourite spots!
That is such a hard question! I think I would have to say Scotland, specifically Edinburgh. I am also in love with the Highlands but I studied abroad in Edinburgh and it holds a special place in my heart.
Yes, I love Edinburgh, too! I lived there for nine months in 2008.
Absolutely 100% Liverpool. It’s my favourite place ever! I’m so glad I discovered it and was able to live there through uni and then for a little while afterwards. If only it wasn’t so far from my friends and family I would be settled there for sure! Have you ever been Brenna? If not, I would be happy to show you around 🙂
Yes, I’ve been to Liverpool twice! Such a cool city. I need to go back, though, and experience more of the nightlife!
My favourite place is the Lake District – so many places to explore and has beautiful scenery!
I agree, it’s amazing!
I’ve never been to the British Isles but would love to go!
I hope you get to visit soon!
As an Irish person (Dublin born and raised), no matter where in the world I venture to, Ireland is my greatest love (albeit slightly biased!). Malin Head and the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal is a beautiful spot, full of rugged, wild landscapes and the Atlantic ocean in the distance. In terms of my favourite place in the British Isles I would have to say Padstow in Cornwall!
Love the blog! xx
I love Ireland so much… I think I’ve been 7 or 8 times. I understand why you love it so much!
My favourite place in the UK has to be the tiny seaside town of St Ives, Cornwall. With it’s tightly woven cobbled streets, stone houses steeped in history and clear turquoise waters……there’s nothing better than sitting along the promenade listening to the familiar sound of seagulls calling and looking out on to the harbour and off into the distance at a beautiful Cornish coastline. One of the best things is that it doesn’t matter what time of year you go – summer is great but winter is too – it’s still just as magical and the people there are as friendly as always. I’m very lucky to have many childhood memories of this place. I always tell people to visit here if they go to the UK, there’s something special there for sure.
I went there when I was 13… I’d love to go back! You’re right, such a beautiful place. You’re making me want to go immediately!
Hmmm… I’d just have to go with the Lake District! I’m from there and it’s one of the most remote places in England (near no cities, public transport is just no) so perfect for a secluded getaway! For people with cars, of course.
I agree – it’s so amazing! I finally got to see it this year, I loved it.
I’m from the US, but I’ve been living in Leeds for the last 2 years. I’ve been trying to make a concerted effort to see this country I now call home (although those cheap flights to the continent are pretty tempting sometimes). This book sounds like the perfect way to keep myself motivated to explore my own backyard.
As of this moment, my favorite location in the British Isles is Barter Books in Alnwick. It’s book nerd nirvana.
Leeds is so cool! I’ve had some great nights out there. I definitely recommend the book!
I love travelling around Scotland, where I live, and so far my favourite place has to be the Isle of Skye! I have also been to the Isle of Eigg, which is a beautiful little island in the inner Hebrides. I would love to spend a year travelling around the rest of the UK, it’s such a beautiful place.
I also love the Isle of Skye! It’s so incredibly beautiful. I would love to spend a year travelling the UK, too.
There is so much to see in the UK and so much of it is under appreciated!My favourite place is Anglesey in North Wales- amazing beaches, great walks and stunning views! Will be adding this book to my bucket list 🙂
I’d love to go there! Thanks for the tip, Rachel. 🙂
I can imagine that the photography in this book is stunning!
It is – Emma is very talented!