Archie currently lives in London but recently moved south form Yorkshire where he taught English Literature at Sheffield university. In his spare time he likes to explore the English countryside on foot. As a boy he spent his summers near the South Downs, and before moving to Sheffield he lived in Newcastle and enjoyed the spectacular landscapes (and seascapes) of Northumberland.

“Skipton is often described as the ‘Gateway to the Dales’. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of the UK’s most spectacular, a landscape of sweeping glacial valleys, green upland pasture intersected by countless miles of dry-stone walls, and rugged limestone peaks. Skipton sits at the south-eastern extremity of the Dales and is connected to Leeds and Morecambe by the Airedale Line. It’s a lovely town, compact and lively with a friendly buzz. There are lots of shops selling high-quality local produce, a brilliant second-hand bookshop, and an array of excellent pubs and cafes.

Skipton also boasts one of the grandest castles in northern England, which played a pivotal role in the English Civil War. If you’re extending your time here, the beautiful ruins of the medieval Bolton Abbey are a fifteen-minute taxi ride east of Skipton. It is free to visit and it is simply beautiful and easy to while away a few hours wondering up the River Wharfe. ”