Three-quarters of Britons would rather search for a local beauty spot on Google than visit it in person, according to a poll commissioned by The Camping and Caravanning Club.
A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 77 per cent of respondents spend more time viewing adventures on television or social media than exploring in real life. Meanwhile, 75 per cent admitted they are more likely to Google a nearby county and view its highlights on a screen than make the trip to see it.
The research also found that nearly eight in ten people, or 79 per cent, have driven straight through a British beauty spot without stopping to explore what was there.
On average, adults in the United Kingdom have visited just 27 counties during their lifetime. That represents fewer than three in ten of Britain's 92 historic counties.
Knowledge of domestic geography proved limited across the country. When shown a numbered map of England's ceremonial counties, 93 per cent of participants failed to correctly label Shropshire and Herefordshire.
A total of 88 per cent failed to identify Northamptonshire, while 87 per cent missed Nottinghamshire and Rutland. In addition, 86 per cent failed to identify Lancashire and 85 per cent missed Northumberland.
More than a third of respondents, or 35 per cent, did not know that Britain has historic counties alongside its ceremonial ones. A further 37 per cent were unable to name the counties that directly border their own.
Geographic knowledge and county landmarks
Great Britain contains 92 historic counties, which are traditional geographic subdivisions established centuries ago across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Ceremonial counties are separate administrative units used for royal representation, such as Lord-Lieutenant appointments. Shropshire and Herefordshire lie along the Welsh border, while Rutland is the smallest historic county in England.
Despite the widespread lack of local geographic awareness, 61 per cent of those surveyed said they would consider taking a short camping trip to a neighbouring county. Furthermore, 76 per cent stated that they believe the United Kingdom is the most beautiful country in the world.
When asked to name the most beautiful locations they had personally visited, Cornwall took top place with 37 per cent of the vote. Devon finished second at 32 per cent, followed by the City of London at 24 per cent.
Cumbria, home to the Lake District National Park, placed fourth with 19 per cent. North Yorkshire and Dorset tied for fifth place with 18 per cent each, followed by Cheshire, Cambridgeshire and Bristol on 14 per cent each, and the Isle of Wight on 13 per cent.
Cornwall and Devon form the South West peninsula of England, renowned for rugged coastlines, sandy beaches and mild maritime weather. Dorset is famous for the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring dramatic coastal cliff formations.
Regional food driving domestic travel
Local food emerged as another key motivation for travelling closer to home. Yorkshire pudding was named Britain's most iconic regional food by 54 per cent of respondents, narrowly beating the Cornish pasty at 52 per cent.
Bakewell tart and Cheddar cheese tied for third place, each selected by 36 per cent of participants. More than half of adults, or 51 per cent, said trying regional cuisine was one of the best parts of visiting somewhere new.
The poll revealed that adults are prepared to travel an average of 100 miles just to sample a famous regional dish in the location where it originated.
Yorkshire pudding is a traditional baked batter dish made from flour, eggs and milk, historically served alongside roast beef. The Cornish pasty is a savoury pastry filled with beef, potato, swede and onion that originated as a portable meal for tin miners. The Bakewell tart comes from the Derbyshire town of Bakewell, while Cheddar cheese takes its name from the Somerset village where it was first produced.
Promoting local adventure across Britain
The survey was commissioned by The Camping and Caravanning Club as part of its Race Across the County campaign. The initiative aims to encourage Britons to explore local scenery, food and regional culture without making long journeys.
Founded in 1901, The Camping and Caravanning Club is the oldest national organisation in the UK dedicated to outdoor holidays. It operates hundreds of campsite locations across England, Scotland and Wales for campers, caravan owners and motorhome travelers.
Sabina Voysey, director general of The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: "We tend to think of adventure as something that requires a long journey, a plane ticket or weeks of planning, but Britain can change dramatically within a short distance."
Voysey added: "There are different landscapes, foods, accents, traditions and communities sitting on our doorstep, and camping gives people the chance to really connect with an area of the UK they might otherwise only drive through."
