A travel writer in a specially-adapted VW Camper van is on a mission across Cornwall - to persuade more Americans to come to the county.

Cornwall is one of 13 destinations that will feature as part of Tour England, an Anglo-American ‘Connections’ project promoting the growth of inbound tourism.

The outcome of Tour England will be new themed itineraries centred around the themes of ancestral tours, faith, wartime and the special relationship and the great migration period, including Mayflower.’s departurem from Plymouth.

Lonely Planet author and award-winning travel journalist Fionn Davenport has been appointed to come up with the itineraries and is visiting sites in Cornwall that appeal to the US market.

Fionn is travelling in ‘Camper Obscura’, a mobile camera obscura in a VW camper van.

On his own itinerary are sites linked to the Poldark TV series, Bodmin Moor, Bodmin Jail and pasty-maker JH & M Choak. He’ll also be visiting the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Charlestown.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwal, said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted to be participating in this project and working to generate more awareness around England as a tourism destination for the US inbound visitor market.

‘Cornwall also has such a huge history within the mining industry. Over three million US people descend from Cornish mining so it is great for Americans to visit Cornwall and learn about their rich heritage.’

‘US Connections’ is one of a number of projects to receive funding from the Government’s £40 million Discover England Fund administered by VisitEngland.

Project director Amanda Lumley said: ’US visitors are increasingly seeking immersive experiences; they want sight doing not just sight-seeing and want to be able to steep themselves in local cultures and traditions. We know that US visitors love and want to experience the heritage and history of England – which is why we have set out to develop these bespoke, bookable itineraries.’