We want to celebrate our heritage of ‘Exploration & Adventure’ by sharing tales of both past and new adventurers through our 'Adventurer Series'.
At Downton Distillery we embrace and embody the adventurous spirit that is within us all. Over the years I have been fortunate to meet many people who have the most wonderful tales to tell of travel, exploration, discovery, learnings and new beginnings. Not everyone is an explorer like ‘Bear Grylls’ in fact most are humble normal people like you or me. They have all believed in doing something different departing from the well-worn path and discovering new experiences in all aspects of their lives. This series is about meeting these people understanding what makes them who they are.
“If you are unhappy with it, stop doing it. If you are dreaming about it, do it!”
ADVENTURE SERIES LINKS
THE GOLDEN ERA OF DISCOVERY
For centuries explorers have been enticed by the wonders of the unknown, mythical cities and lands of gold.
The Golden Era of Discovery, or Age of Exploration is one of the most important events in the history of the western world and it was made possible with technological advancements that were important to this age. These were the adoption of the magnetic compass and advances in ship design.
The Era began in the early 15th century and continued until the end of the 17th century, and involved European explorers using their navigational skills to travel the world seeking new trade routes to distant trading partners in the Far East. Routes by land were slow whilst the sea offered quicker routes and larger cargos without the risk of brigands.
The Age of Exploration is considered to have occurred mostly with English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Dutch and Italian explorers. These countries had ports and plenty of sea faring expertise allowing them to venture into the unknown.
China also had an Age of Exploration under the Yongle Emperor with Admiral Zheng He who lead some of the world’s largest fleets at this time containing 317 with 28,000 crew. But with the death of the Yongle Emperor in 1424 China ceased its exploration and focused on its own dynasties.
TIMELINE
1407
Chinese / Admiral Zheng He
Opened routes from China to
India.
1492
Italian /Christopher Columbus
Discovered the New World. But Leif
Erikson landed in Canada in 1000.
1498
Portuguese / Vasco de Gama
First European to link Europe to Asia
by ocean.
1522
Juan Sebastian
First European to circumnavigate
the world.
1580
English / Sir Francis Drake
First Briton to circumnavigate
the world.
ADVENTURER OF THE MONTH
For centuries explorers have been enticed by the wonders of the unknown, mythical cities and lands of gold.
The Golden Era of Discovery, or Age of Exploration is one of the most important events in the history of the western world and it was made possible with technological advancements that were important to this age. These were the adoption of the magnetic compass and advances in ship design.
The Era began in the early 15th century and continued until the end of the 17th century, and involved European explorers using their navigational skills to travel the world seeking new trade routes to distant trading partners in the Far East. Routes by land were slow whilst the sea offered quicker routes and larger cargos without the risk of brigands.
The Age of Exploration is considered to have occurred mostly with English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Dutch and Italian explorers. These countries had ports and plenty of sea faring expertise allowing them to venture into the unknown.