The enormous popularity of our system of high speed roads sometimes makes getting from point A to point B a slower process than we'd like.

'Route Master' looks at some point to point holiday motoring journeys using motorways and other cross-country roads. Be sure that your holiday isn't spoilt because of insufficient journey preparation, including the car. Even the newest modern car isn't infallible.

Part of your personal preparation will be to check the following routes, opening times and facilities before starting your journey. There will be many ways that you can customise your journey. If you stay on the motorways, there are normally regular service stations where you can take your motoring breaks. The detours suggested are normally within a range of 7 miles of the motorway and have various facilities. You will need to make your own checks before travelling.

London to Leeds
Recommend travel using the M1. Once you've passed the M25 London Orbital road you will pass the hat making town of Luton and the grounds of Woburn Abbey and the Safari Park. After the footwear town of Northampton you'll see the radio masts at Rugby. This town was the birthplace of Rugby Union Foootball. On the opposite site of the motorway is Naseby. During the English Civil War, on 14 June 1645 Oliver Cromwell defeated Charles I Royalist Army there.

Passing Junction 21, over to the east there is Leicester, a once walled Roman town. The motorway takes you through Charnwood Forest and close to former coal mines that have been converted into Discovery Parks and Visitor Centres. If you are looking to venture off the motorway, there's also the only preserved steam railway on a former main line runs between Loughborough and Rothley.

The world's largest collection of Grand Prix racing cars can be found at Donington Park. Follow the A6 west from Junction 24. You'll not be far from the first successful silk weaving town of Derby. On the opposite side of the M1 you have Nottingham, associated with the legend of Robin Hood, the manufacture of lace and the headquarters of Boots the Chemist. The writer DH Lawrence was also born here. Set in 390 acres of Derbyshire parkland is `the American Adventure', home to Europe's tallest SkyCoaster and over 100 themed rides.

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Maybe you'd like to see a collection of over 70 restored horse, steam and electric trams ? The National Tram Museum is off Junction 28, then follow the A38 westbound to Crick, Matlock. If butterflies are your passion, continue up the motorway to Junction 31, and head east down the A57 to the Tropical Butterfly House, Falconry and Wildlife Centre.

As you travel north the motorway takes a sharp turn to the west to pass between Rotherham and Sheffield. To your left you will see the Meadowhall Shopping Centre built on land formerly occupied by our once world famous steel industry. The National Centre for Popular Music tells the fascinating story of music through the ages. The Centre houses the world's first 360 degree surround-sound auditorium. If you want this detour turn off the motorway at Junction 33 and take the A631 westbound.

The National Coal Mining Museum for England is located at a real coal mine. An experienced local miner will be your guide. Take the A637 northbound from Junction 38 and follow the sign posting to Overton.

The M1 used to terminate at the former cloth making town of Leeds. The city is now bypassed around the south east side, passing the grounds of Temple Newsam.

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Leeds developed rapidly in the early Nineteenth Century as an inland port on the Leeds to Liverpool / Aire & Calder Navigation Canals. The extensive wharves, warehouses, boat building yards, wet and dry docks have been sympathetically restored and designated as a Conservation area. The City Centre has outstanding edificies of the classical baroque style favoured in the Victorian era, including the Market buildings, Corn Exchange and Town Hall. There are numerous magnificient arcades linking Vicar Lane and Brigate. Away from the Centre, displays of war, tournament, the Orient, self-defence and hunting can be found at the Royal Armouries. Many of the exhibitions were once held in the Tower of London. The city has two Universities, a premier division football team, Headingley Cricket & Rugby, along with plenty of green space such as the magnificent Roundhay Park. There's some beautiful small towns nearby, including Harrogate and Otley. There's much to do, enjoy your stay.

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