My New Year’s resolution to travel to an unexplored UK destination every month
It can often feel like New Year's resolutions are about limiting memories rather than creating them - and, back in December 2018, I wanted my goal for the upcoming 12 months to be different.
That was how I ended up pledging to spend 2019 visiting a brand new place in the UK every month that - despite having lived here my whole life - I'd never been to before.
Because while I've been everywhere from Cartagena and Cappadocia to Charleston, there are many world-class places back home that, incredibly, hadn't made it onto my bucket list.
However, with heavy use of my 26-30 Rail Card and many friends eager to join me on my travels, I was able to better understand why the UK itself welcomes at least million tourists per year...
January: Windsor
I kicked the year off with a circa one-hour train ride from London with my friend to reach the visit the town of Windsor - a place that I'd frequently seen hosting royal events on TV, but never in person.
Given the time of year, we had to wrap up warm for a stroll along the tree-lined Long Walk that leads up to the iconic Windsor Castle, and I couldn't believe it doesn't get as much of a look-in as Buckingham Palace.
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Today, if you book online in advance, you can secure a ticket for £30 - which isn't cheap, although at the time it was interesting to see Meghan Markle’s wedding dress up close and go inside St George’s Chapel, which is where Queen Elizabeth is now interred.
The rest of Windsor is as quaint as you'd expect, with many independent shops, and we devoured a delicious roast at the cosy 18th-century pub The Two Brewers.
February: Oxford
It's one of the most famous cities in the world, but Oxford had long lingered on my 'I'll go one day' pile.
Once more, it was just an hour or so to get there on the train from London - and a truly jam-packed day awaited my friend and I.
First stop was the prestigious university's magical Christ Church college, the scene of Hogwarts' Great Hall in the Harry Potter films (entry is now £22, at the weekend, if you book online).
We also took in the Ashmolean Museum (free entry), as well as the Bodleian Library and Bridge of Sighs - and wrapped up an oddly warm February day at popular local ice-cream shop George & Danver.
March: Kew
Despite having lived in London for just under a decade at this point, there were many corners of the capital I had never ventured to.
This included the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, almost at the end of the district line on the Tube, which is - believe it or not - a World Heritage Site.
Once again, as with many UK landmarks, the entry wasn't cheap - it now costs £22 to go at the weekend if you book online in advance.
After browsing the more than 40,000 types of weird and wonderful plants in gigantic Victorian greenhouses on its 300 acres, we refuelled on a fluffy scone at the on-site cafe.
April: Rye
I had frequently forgotten that the UK is an island - and, with this in mind, I embarked on a one-hour train ride to Rye, the cobbled medieval town on East Sussex's south coast.
You've probably seen the town's Instagram-worthy Mermaid Street without realising it, and 18th-century Lamb House - once home to writer Henry James - was great value (it's now £8.50).
Given the proximity to the seaside, it seemed appropriate to tuck into fish and chips at The Ship Inn, which dates back to 1592, for lunch.
And, of course, we wrapped up the day with a sunny walk on the beach at Camber Sands - a one-hour stroll or a 15-minute local bus away from Rye.
May: Margate
By this point, summer was in full swing - and I headed with a friend to the famous Kent beach town of Margate, which I hadn't ever properly visited.
It was just under a two-hour train from London, and we immediately rented a couple of bicycles from Margate Bikes and Hire near the station, which still cost from £5 an hour.
July: Brighton
In the height of summer, I made the most of a heatwave day and headed once more to a different part of the East Sussex seaside - this time, the iconic Brighton.
Once again, it was a speedy one-hour train journey - and before we knew it, my friends and I were on the dodgems at Brighton Palace Pier.
We had lots of fun browsing jewellery and vintage sunnies in The Lanes’ antiques shops, which are certainly a place to pick up a bargain.
Then we ended a busy day on our feet with a burger and pint at the edgy East Street Tap - the city truly didn't disappoint.
August: Edinburgh
Each year, at this time, the world-renowned Fringe Festival brings the streets of Scotland's capital alive.
I was really keen to see what the cultural buzz, that I had been hearing about for years, was all about.
A group of us stayed in a quaint AirBnb, close to the bustling Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, for my first overnight UK trip of my New Year's resolution.
In the end, the six-hour train from London was worth it, with everything from an immersive art show where we were locked in a shipping container and plenty of stand-up, to live poetry featuring drones and a circus performance.
September: Manchester
The tour of the north continued, with another two-hour train ride away from London to Manchester.
It was a wet weekend, which meant getting in some retail therapy at the Arndale shopping centre.
In the evening, we bar-hopped in Manchester's Northern Quarter, and then finished off the night at MOJO – a loft-style bar that plays rock & roll and old school punk.
Brunch at the super-cool food hall Mackie Mayor cured next-day hangovers.
October: Epping
Closer to home, and a Tube ride on the central line, was a forest spanning 2,400-hectares - although I discovered that it's best to disembark at Theydon Bois for the best spots.
The distance was totally worth it, with the city exceeding all my expectations, being both more beautiful and with more to do than I had anticipated.
Highlights included the University of Glasgow Cloisters, Kelvingrove Park, the main Buchanan Street and the hipster Finnieston district.
The Lighthouse gave amazing views across the city, and we tucked into pancakes on our final morning at Stack & Still.
December: Isle Of Man
It can easily be forgotten that the UK has numerous islands - 6,000-plus, in fact - and the Isle of Man, just a 20-minute bus ride coast-to-coast, is a particularly notable one.
One again, my friend and I took a short flight lasting not much over an hour to get to the spot that's almost equidistant in the sea between England and Ireland.
After lunch at the Alpine cafe in the capital Douglas, we saw the ruins of Peel Castle - with an entry fee of £11.
The next day we visited Laxey Wheel (the largest working waterwheel in the world) and climbed the mountain of Snaefell, from which on a clear day you can see the six kingdoms.
Just a year after my epic tour of the UK, I upped sticks and moved to Portugal, which means I've had far less opportunity to just hop on a train and explore a new part of my home country.
Which makes me even more grateful for the New Year's resolution of 2019 - like many of my English friends, I've always put off adventures on my doorstep in favour of somewhere more exotic, but the UK has some truly special places that are just as worthy of my time.
Great UK city breaks with the kids – that are cheaper and easier than London
Travel expert Trisha Harbord brings you a selection of the best things to see and do in five walkable cities...
Edinburgh
THE cobbled Royal Mile is one of the UK’s most famous streets. Visit the castle on the hill then start your walk to the Scottish Parliament.
You’ll pass St Giles’ Cathedral, Parliament Square, cashmere shops, the famous World’s End pub, one-time jail Canongate Tolbooth and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
FREE: The Museum of Childhood with toys and games from across generations. Harry Potter fans can join a free tour around the town with stops including the inspiration behind Diagon Alley and Voldemort’s grave, see pottertrail.com.
Cardiff
WALK the walls of the castle. Once a Roman fort, it’s a mix of buildings from all eras and now a Gothic extravaganza.
Visit Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades and stop off at Spillers, the oldest record shop in the world.
Bute Park is the green heart of the city with natural play features.
FREE: Try a walking tour to learn the city’s 2,000-year history, fogosfreetours .com. Visit the National Museum or open-air St Fagans to see craftsmen showing traditional skills.
Newcastle / Gateshead
ENJOY a circular Quayside walk from the tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge, taking in stunning views from both the Newcastle and Gateshead sides of the River Tyne.
Check out music at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.
See the Norman castle and the fantastic science attraction Centre for Life.
FREE: Visit the Discovery Museum and the centre for kids’ books, Seven Stories. Stroll through Leazes Park and Victorian Saltwell Park in Gateshead, with a lake, play areas, an animal house, maze and cafe.
Birmingham
THIS city has more canals than Venice, so weave your way through Brindleyplace with its cafes and squares.
It is close to the National Sea Life Centre, with the UK’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel to see the marine life.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first Cadbury shop in the city, so do visit Cadbury World with its new Chocolate Quest ride.
FREE: Take a free family trail around the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to see Egyptian mummies, and the Staffordshire Hoard Gallery has the biggest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.
York
THIS historic hub boasts more attractions per square mile than any other UK city. Step back in time to discover the 10th century at the Jorvik Viking Centre.
Tour the amazing York Minster cathedral, see artefacts at Dig, a hands-on adventure based on real-life digs.
York’s Chocolate Story has interactive exhibits, tastings and make your own lolly.
FREE: Stroll along York’s historic walls that have protected the city for 2,000 years. Visit the National Railway Museum, full of iconic engines.
Manchester
See the world’s largest football collection at the National Football Museum, visit Legoland Discovery Centre and watch 2,000 creatures at Sea Life’s underwater world.
FREE: Enjoy the city’s museums, including Manchester Museum, which houses 4.5million objects from archaeology to zoology. Young gamers will love the 150 consoles playing from Mario to Minecraft at the Science and Industry Museum.
THRILL: There’s indoor skydiving at iFLY as well as carts on virtual tracks at Chaos Karts.