With St George's Day just a few weeks away, those looking to celebrate the best of what the country has to offer need look no further. Led by knowledgeable guides, small group tour specialist Back-Roads Touring has a selection of thoughtfully crafted journeys which take in some of England's finest cities and countryside and, what's more, it is also offering free private transfers on all of its UK tours for bookings made throughout April.

From a brand new tour to explore the 'old pubs and great grub' that makes England famous to a trip through the heart of England to visit landmarks made famous by films including Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter, Back-Roads Touring is giving travellers more reason that ever to consider a staycation this year. 

As an added extra, guests who book and pay in full for a Back-Roads Touring summer UK tour by 30 April will receive free private transfers to and from their home to the tour pick-up and drop-off points. Flights plus transfer may be offered in some instances, if the distance is great.

Steve Reynolds, general manager at Back-Roads Touring comments: “What better way to celebrate England's national day than to explore the sights and sounds of our own country? Our itineraries have been carefully pulled together to highlight the very best of English culture and history by taking its guests to places off the beaten track and ensuring they have an authentic local experience.”

Heart of England

Five days/four nights from £975 per person

This tour takes guests through one of the country's most iconic regions – the Heart of England. Spot landmarks in Oxford and Lacock that have been used in some of England's best-loved film productions such as Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter. Literary enthusiasts can discover Shakespearean history in Stratford-Upon-Avon and pay a visit to the farmhouse where William Shakespeare courted Anne Hathaway. Thatched roofs are a rare sight nowadays, but not in the Cotswolds, where honey coloured stone cottages with thatched roofs line the village. When in Bath, do as the Romans did – learn about the history of the region and take a dip in Britain's only natural thermae spa. In Avebury, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Standing Stones, which rivals Stonehenge as the largest and most prehistoric site in Britain.   

Old Pubs & Great Grub – New for 2014

Five days/four nights from £1,075 per person

Enjoy a unique insight into the oldest of English establishments: the pub. Discover the best of what English pubs have to offer and sample wine, perry and cider from local producers on this tour through Shrewsbury, as well as Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye. Explore secluded areas and travel on hilly roads, and enjoy a true Back-Roads experience down the Severn valley. In Shrewsbury, guests will enjoy a traditional pub lunch and private wine tasting at the oldest publish house in the town and also have the chance to explore the town's indoor traditional market serving up the best fresh produce the area has to offer – cured meats , warm breads and cheeses. Guests will also have the chance to visit the old city of Hereford and learn how the specialities of perry and cider are created, followed by a tasting session. The tour also takes in the Wye valley where guests visit The Choirs Vineyards, where a local expert takes guests through the vineyards followed by a wine tasting session.

Corners of Cornwall

Seven days/six nights from £1,395 per person

Explore history and architecture; enjoy stunning scenery and fine food on this tour which includes Dartmoor, Falmouth, Fowey, Devon and Dorset. Drive through Dartmoor National Park where the ponies roam, explore Britain's maritime past in Falmouth and tuck into regional culinary favourites such as a Cornish party and a Cornish cream tea. Attend a wine tasting session at Bosue Vineyard, a family-run vineyard which produces a variety of wines made from Cornish grown grapes. Enjoy lunch at Rick Stein's 'The Seafood Restaurant' in Padstow and wander through Cornwall's largest private botanical gardens – Trebah Garden – accompanied by a member of the estate's gardening team.

Flavours of Southern England

Six days/five nights from £1,470 per person

This gourmet tour celebrates the best of English cuisine and gives guests the opportunity to taste many of the flavours of southern England including local cheeses and breads, locally caught fish, homemade clotted ice cream, cider and wine. Enjoy fresh, seasonal produce on the Isle of Wight, dine in the restaurants of celebrity chefs, savour wine and cheese at Hawkchurch and visit the Honiton Ice Cream shop, which serves 48 flavours of handmade clotted cream ice cream. Other attractions on this tour include the Osborne House, Queen Victoria's royal seaside palace on the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth's historical dockyard and the small fishing village of Beer in Devon.

All tours include overnight accommodation, Back-Roads Touring tour leader and local tour guide where appropriate, daily breakfast and some lunches and evening meals, and some entrance fees.

To book, visit www.backroadstouring.co.uk or call 033 311 201 09.

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Free transfers offer - Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions apply. Offer is available to people living in the UK only travelling on a summer 2014 UK tour. Flights plus transfer may be offered in some instances, if distance is great. Subject to availability. Book and pay in full by 30 April 2014. Transfer only booked once full payment received. Once booked, the tour cannot be cancelled. Valid for new bookings only. Other than the above, normal terms and conditions apply.

About Back-Roads Touring

With over 25 years' experience in small group and tailor-made tours across the UK and Europe, Back-Roads Touring is truly the original small group touring company. Currently operating over 35 tours, the company's focus is on providing a friendly, relaxed, and flexible form of touring with a maximum group size of 18 passengers. From exploring the heart of medieval towns and villages, to enjoying the scenery along narrow, hedge-lined Cornish lanes, Back-Roads Touring ensures that its guests experience the best local cuisine, accommodation and scenery – all taken at a leisurely pace and in the company of a knowledgeable guide.

Media Enquiries:

For images, further information or press trip enquiries, please contact Jenny Groutage / Steele Paulich at Brighter Group: back-roads@brightergroup.com or call 0207 326 9880.