My good friend Paul and I first had the idea for Backroads Britain Tours back in the late 1990's.
We had both always enjoyed traveling, especially on the quiet, backroads of the UK, and started the business with a passion for sharing those experiences with others.
We have always believed that traveling is not just about seeing new sights, but about creating lasting memories.
Unfortunately, just a few months after setting the company up, world events overtook us, and the business really never got off the ground as people stopped traveling overseas as much in the wake of 9/11.
Life then intervened and Backroads Britain Tours was put on the back burner.
Forward more than 20 years and, post-pandemic, the travel bug has been re-ignited in people
and bespoke travel experiences are, once again, in fashion.
What better time, then, to reintroduce Backroads Britain Tours to the world?
Whether you are a seasoned traveler who has visited the UK on more than one occasion, or whether you are a first time traveler to England's shores, we have the perfect tour/experience for you.
What makes Backroads Britain Tours so different from the majority of the other tour companies out there?
What makes Backroads Britain Tours so different from the majority of the other tour companies out there?
First off, let's have a look at why I don't call myself a chauffeur tour company...
To me, the word chauffeur conjures up images of something rigid, something formal. That's not me at all!
I prefer to think of Backroads Britain Tours as more of a relaxed, informal jaunt around the country with friends.
You won't find any cookie cutter, one size fits all tours here.
Nor will you find tours that try to cover the whole country in a simple week. That just doesn't make sense to me.
What you WILL find is a variety of fully customizable tours that cater to different interests and preferences. Whether you're interested in history, culture, or nature, I have a tour that's perfect for you.
I have fully customizable itineraries
for the following regions in the UK:
South East of England (Kent and Sussex)
South and Central England
South West of England (Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall)
East Anglia (Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex)
The Peak District, North Wales and Cheshire
Northern England (Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland & Cumbria)
Scotland
I can also create itineraries for anywhere else you would like to visit in the UK, as well as bespoke itineraries for selected parts of France, such as Normandy, Brittany, the Dordogne, Burgundy or Provence.
From 7 days (the minimum tour length I would recommend) all the way up to 21 days and beyond, I am knowledgeable and passionate about what I do, and I'll make sure you have a great time.
I grew up just west of London in an industrial town called Slough, a town which will definitely not be making it onto any of our itineraries. Fortunately, we had so many wonderful places to discover and explore on our doorstep and one of my favorite things growing up was heading out into the countryside for the day in my parent’s old car, discovering new roads, new villages, new adventures. That is what ignited my interested in what would later become my passion.
One of my favorite jobs ever was as a chauffeur in London. While it was always fascinating watching the city go about it's business around me, I never enjoyed anything more than getting out of town and out into the countryside for the day. In my time as a chauffeur, I drove bankers, dignitaries, politicians and a number of famous actors and actresses. Indeed, I may be one of the few people who have driven both Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Professor Dumbeldore (Michael Gambon) as well as Dame Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs, Antonio Banderas and others. That was always a lot of fun.
In many ways, I have been practicing for this business my whole life.
I have never liked being stuck on a major highway when I know I could be meandering down a quiet country road instead.
With Backroads Britain Tours, I'm committed to providing the best possible experience for my customers. I strive to be environmentally responsible, socially conscious, and culturally respectful. I want to leave a positive impact on the places I visit and the people I meet.
Keith Warner, owner-operator of Backroads Britain Tours
1st January, 2024