In the heart of the glorious Yorkshire Dales lies The James Herriot Way, possibly the best short long-distance footpath in the world (yes, that’s a thing). Winding through majestic mountains, rolling moors, and two of England’s most beautiful dales—Wensleydale and Swaledale—this isn’t just a walk, it’s a celebration of breathtaking landscapes, fascinating history, and the legendary James Herriot (All Creatures Great and Small fame, in case you’ve been living under a rock).

But Paul isn’t going it alone this time. Oh no. Enter Belle, his loyal(ish) canine companion, who is far more interested in muddy fields, sheep poo, and flinging herself into freezing rivers than in England’s rich history. Together, they set off on another History Walks adventure, and as always, things quickly spiral into chaos, confusion, and questionable decisions.

Along the way, they uncover long-lost secrets of the Dales, like one of the worst train crashes in British history (turns out, Yorkshire doesn’t do things by halves), how Yorkshire was accidentally tangled up in Hitler’s atomic bomb plans (because of course it was), and the unlikely connection between a local doctor and some of the most powerful men on the planet (spoiler: Yorkshire folk get everywhere). Plus, you'll learn which Hollywood actor stood waist-deep in a freezing river just to deliver a swift, brutal shot to the crown jewels.

And of course, no Paul Amess adventure would be complete without a cast of weird and wonderful characters—some delightful, some downright dodgy.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your boots, dodge the sheep droppings, and come along for the journey—you’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll probably feel grateful that you’re experiencing it all from the comfort of your armchair.

About the Author (Who Spends Most of His Time Lost)

Paul Amess was born and bred in Hull, Yorkshire, and after years of globe-trotting to exotic destinations, finally realized the best place in the world was right on his doorstep. When he’s not hiding from his kids, he spends as much time as possible trudging across England, uncovering history, and meeting a variety of eccentric (and often questionable) characters.

He has tackled many of the UK’s great long-distance footpaths, including Hadrian’s Wall Path, The Cleveland Way, Wainwright’s Coast to Coast, and many more besides. It should be noted that he really does spend most of his time lost, though he calls it exploring.