The Explorer's Road - A touring route through the cultural and historic heart of England
Explorer’s Road is a Visit England project funded by Discover England and was launched in 2018. The Explorer’s Road was first launched as a new international tourism product – a 300 mile self-drive touring route stretching from Hertfordshire to Northumberland that roughly follows the A1.
It featured characterful market towns by-passed by the A1 and therefore off the beaten track and largely unknown to international visitors. It presented icons of English culture such as a pint in the pub, afternoon tea, local stories and traditions. And highlighted gardens, stately homes, castles, collections and gorgeous countryside.
After a difficult year in 2020, this project will now support the recovery of leisure tourism audiences to the amazing destinations up and down the East of England. A new website will ensure that The Explorer’s Road is portrayed in a fresh and exciting way.
The target market in 2021 are those domestic visitors returning to travel, when able, and looking to explore new areas of England. The touring route can include one or multiple stops along the way. The visitor can plan their journey as they wish.
The touring route uses the A1 as a ‘historic highway’ and follows the Scottish borders through the east of England to Hertfordshire. The aim is to encourage motorists, those wishing to travel by train, cyclists and walkers, to stay, visit and experience some of the nation’s more unique and unexplored locations.
The Explorer’s Road destination partners all share the aim of promoting a range of visitor businesses, including historic and iconic attractions, hotels and accommodation, arts and culture, food and drink – and support the drive to attract more visitors and bookings to you.
The project is partnered with the UK’s mainline East Coast railway company, London North Eastern Railway (LNER)
For further information, please visit the Explorers Road website.