A quick march around York’s World War II and Cold War history

You’ve been mesmerised by the Minster, shuffled down the Shambles, and wandered around the walls … you may be forgiven for thinking that York’s history stopped sometime around the time of the Tudors. You’d be wrong. Andrew and I checked out five of York’s military museums to get under the skin of our city’s World War II […]

How to spend a full day walking York city walls

York Gatehouse Coffee - York city walls walk

This locals’ guide to York city walls features several hot spots that make this English city so special. Plus: I include some insider tips about the off-wall places you shouldn’t miss. You could walk the 3.4km around York city walls in an hour or so. But, take in sights and the occasional pub en-route, and that hour could […]

The stories behind The Gap Year Edit’s twelve top Instagram pictures of 2016

2016 Yorkshire events - Whitby

Yup, it’s that time of year again … where I share the stories behind the scenes from your twelve most-liked 2016 pictures from The Gap Year Edit’s Instagram account. #12. Bamburgh, Northumberland, England I got my feet wet taking this picture in May – the beach at Bamburgh, Northumberland. Miles and miles of sandy wonderfulness, with a medieval […]

Day trip from York: Beningbrough Hall by bike

day trip from York - Beningbrough Hall by bike

Beningbrough Hall makes a perfect day trip from York by bike. Here’s how to combine gentle exercise with a Georgian mansion, without ending up in a spin. Cycle Route 65 from York to Beningbrough Hall by bike The route from York to Beningbrough Hall forms part of National Cycle Route 65, which means loads of signposts and minimal chances […]

The Gap Year Edit Alternative Travel Awards

The Gap Year Edit Alternative Travel Awards

Welcome! Hi, I’m Julie, a York (UK)-based travel blogger and comfort-zone pusher. Join me as I bring you pics and musings from my mildly adventurous travels around the globe. My mission is to hear you say, “I”m so glad I did it!” instead of, “I wish I could, BUT …” Use the links here and […]

Case study: how volunteering can help change your career

change your career through volunteering

Meet Mark. He changed his career in his late 40s through volunteering, and now works his dream job as a successful gardener for a stately home in Yorkshire, UK. This is his story of how he “turned a crap situation into a brilliant one”, and his top tips for how volunteering can help change your career. When […]

Returning home to the UK: reflections

returning home to the UK

“Here’s to journeys near and far, short and long; to the people we meet on the way, and to those we come home to.” I can’t believe it. My month-long trip from Budapest to Athens is at an end. It’s been awesome. From the hospitality in Albania, to the Greeks who kept trying to overfeed […]