Britain has produced some of the world's greatest explorers, but Captain James Cook and Francis Drake may well be spinning in their graves at the results of a new study, which reveals how millions of Brits haven't visited other nations within the UK.

The research found that nearly a third of UK adults (30 per cent) have explored little of Britain to date - the equivalent of 16million people.

According to the study, 24 per cent of Brits have never visited Scotland (13million), and 17 per cent have never been to Wales.

Despite their lack of exploration, 80 per cent of Brits admitted they want to see more of the country, and nearly half (49 per cent) believe that Britain has the best outdoor spaces in all of Europe.

A new study has revealed that millions of Brits have explored very little of the UK to date - with 24 per cent of those surveyed having never visited Scotland

And taking the road less travelled matters to the majority, with 52 per cent wanting to avoid popular tourist hotspots, and 57 per cent aspiring to explore 'unexpected places'.

The research was produced by Jeep, based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults. It was part of a wider study produced in collaboration with experts at Ordnance Survey that identified a 15-strong hotlist of 'off the beaten track' spots to explore this Easter.

The ranking included locations from dog-walking spots and historical caves to picturesque bays and wildlife hotspots. They are all pinpointed on an interactive 'Get Lost with Jeep Compass' digital map and help form a list of 100 hidden gems.

Blakeney Point in Norfolk was identified as one of England’s hidden gems. It's home to England’s largest grey seal colony, with over 4,000 pups born each winter and was described by Ordnance Survey as a 'magical place'.

A study by Jeep and Ordnance Survey identified some of the UK's top 'off the beaten track' locations for Easter, with the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy (above) making the list

Also selected was the northwest coast of Iona, an island in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. With a population of 170, the Ordnance Survey claims it 'feels like stepping back in time'.

Schiehallion Mountain in Perth and Kinross was another listed Scottish location. Ordnance Survey recommends taking a 'peaceful hike' up the mountain for ‘breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands’.

The Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy, near the hamlet of Porthgain in Pembrokeshire, was identified as one of Wales’s top offbeat locations. 

The spot is accessible by foot or by sea, Ordnance Survey notes, and 'has a great walk across the cliffs nearby that offer breathtaking views'.