A lot of people get loads of faves/comments, simply because they're following hundreds or thousands of people, who in turn follow back. Not entirely sure of the criteria to get on Explore, but I think I managed it once with a photo of 5347. Complete randomness, but ended up with 18k views and 86 faves from randoms.
Just keep doing what you do. Get yourself out there and try different places for photos. If you're stuck for ideas, then I'm sure other members of NEB will come up with some suggestions for you? A few of us in the past have spoken of using Google Maps to find places on routes for shots, and www.suncalc.net (that Dan suggested once) also comes in handy for working out the best time to be somewhere.
The other alternative is to catch up with others from NEB when you're out and about? I know you live a lot further south than others, so it may help you heading out with someone who knows places, in say Tyneside for example, a lot better than you maybe do?