This St George's Day (April 23), why not escape to a hotel that is bursting with stories from some of England's most iconic visitors? Several properties within Puma Hotels' portfolio have been frequented by some of England's greats, from William Shakespeare to Winston Churchill, King Charles I to Oliver Cromwell, Charles Dickens to Agatha Christie. From traditional afternoon teas to historical themed treasure hunts,  Puma has English experiences to suit all tastes.

Billesley Manor Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon - William Shakespeare

A double room sleeping two starts from £80 per night, bed and breakfast. Afternoon tea for two is available at this property for an additional £25.

Located in Stratford-upon-Avon, the beautiful Elizabethan Billesley Manor Hotel is surrounded by extensive grounds on which stands the charming All Saints Church. The church dates back to the 11th century and is where Shakespeare is rumoured to have tied the knot with Anne Hathaway in 1582. Legend also has it that Shakespeare was a regular visitor to the manor hotel itself and that he could often be found sat by the log fires, scribbling the night away on reams of parchment. To celebrate the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, Billesley Manor has created a treasure hunt around the property, showcasing some of the Bard's favourite spots.

The Lygon Arms, Cotswolds - Oliver Cromwell / King Charles I

A double room sleeping two starts from £110 per night, bed and breakfast. Afternoon tea for two is available at this property for an additional £25.

One of the most famous hotels in the Cotswolds, the four star Lygon Arms hotel in Broadway has been welcoming travellers to the Cotswolds since the 16th century. The property stands on what was once the main road from London to Hereford and has attracted the great and good of society over the years. King Charles I has spent the night, as has Oliver Cromwell, and Elizabeth Taylor once checked in with Richard Burton. Situated in the heart of Broadway, a beautiful Worcestershire village, The Lygon Arms blends history with hedonism effortlessly.

The Imperial Hotel, Blackpool - Winston Churchill

A double room sleeping two starts from £72  per night, bed and breakfast. Afternoon tea for two is available at this property for an additional £25.

Relishing in Victorian splendour, The Imperial Hotel is Blackpool's most historic hotel and has played host to almost all British Prime Ministers of recent times. The Imperial is located on North Promenade and boasts spectacular views of the sea and beaches. Guests can follow in Prime Ministers' footsteps and enjoy a tipple at the No. 10 Bar where political heavyweights traditionally enjoyed a drink to calm nerves before delivering an important speech. Guests can also visit the Churchill Room, a wood-panelled meeting room, which commemorates Sir Winston Churchill's visit to the hotel in the 1950s.

The Old Ship, Brighton – Charles Dickens

A double room sleeping two starts from £65 per night, bed and breakfast. Afternoon tea for two is available at this property for an additional £25.

The Old Ship is the oldest Inn in Brighton, dating back to 1559. Frequented by royalty, aristocrats and artists, with grade ll listed assembly rooms and extensive cellars, the historic building is immersed in Brighton's history and the development of this leading seaside resort. Charles Dickens was said to have written part of Barnaby Rudge during one of his many visits, while William Thackeray also wrote some of the early chapters of Vanity Fair whilst he stayed at the property.

The Imperial Hotel, Torquay – Agatha Christie

A double room sleeping two starts from £99 per night, bed and breakfast. Afternoon tea is available at this property for an additional £25 per guest.

Situated on a cliff face with stunning views across Torbay, The Imperial Hotel has been a glamorous destination since 1866. Agatha Christie was said to regularly attended tea dances, parties and dinners at the hotel, which provided the setting for two of her novels - Peril at End House and The Body in the Library. In Sleeping Murder, Miss Marple's final case, The Imperial Hotel features, with the denouement taking place on the terrace.

The Puma Hotels Collection portfolio also boasts historical properties including The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, Shrigley Hall Hotel, Golf & Country Club in Cheshire, The Palace Hotel in Buxton, Walton Hall in Warwickshire and Combe Grove Manor in Bath. For more information or to book, please call Puma Hotels on 0800 652 8413 or visit www.pumahotels.co.uk 

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For further information please contact Jenny Groutage or Liam Colman at pumahotels@brightergroup.com or telephone 020 7326 9880.

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Notes to Editors:

The Puma Hotels Collection offers 21 unique hotels across the UK from Scotland to Devon. The hotels are all in inspiring locations from vibrant city and town centres, spectacular coastal resorts to countryside retreats and includes The Carlton Hotel in Edinburgh, The Imperial in Torquay, The Majestic in Harrogate and the Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire. Puma Hotels offer a total of over 2,800 bedrooms, 220 meeting rooms and extensive leisure facilities. www.pumahotels.co.uk