Peter Aylmer was born in, and still lives in, London east of the River Lea - in other words, in east London.

Peter's rich understanding of the London and Essex countryside started young, visiting his uncle's farm in the Rodings. Since discovering hiking as a pastime when a young man, he's since climbed many hills and hiked many long-distance paths all over Britain, but still relishes the surprise on people's faces when he tells them that some of his favourite hiking is in London's green spaces and his home county.