This year’s men’s race takes place from 2-5 May; the women’s race is held on 3-4 May. Here are the best places to stay if you want to get a prime viewing spot on the route.
Thirsk Racecourse – Stage 1 women’s race; Stage 2 men’s race
Both the first stage of the women’s race and the second stage of the men’s race run from Barnsley to Bedale. The finish line is just half an hour from our Thirsk Racecourse site, which has tent pitches on offer and good transport links to the nearby towns. During your stay, take the opportunity to visit Ripon, through which the Tour also passes, and explore its cathedral, gardens and museums. You can even take to two wheels yourself and ride Route 657 from Thirsk to Easingwold, which runs past the site.
Cayton Village – Stage 2 women’s race; Stage 3 men’s race
Stages two and three of the women’s and men’s races respectively run from Bridlington to Scarborough. A stay at Cayton Village should give you an opportunity to view the action at a couple of nearby points: the Tour passes directly through Cayton, right on our doorstep, and the finish line in Scarborough is just 13 minutes by car. It’s also easy to reach by public transport.
During your stay, why not take the opportunity to relax on the beach at Cayton Bay or visit the ancient Scarborough Castle? If you’re inspired to cycle, National Cycle Route 1 runs past the site and the 32 mile stretch from Hunmanby to Scarborough is a beautiful coastal ride.
Lower Wensleydale – Stage 4 men’s race
Stage four of the men’s race takes the riders in a loop from Halifax to Leeds. The midpoint of this leg passes through Middleham, just south of our Lower Wensleydale site. Less than 10 minutes’ drive – or a 20 minute cycle – will put you in a good position to see the riders as they come through. You can enhance your stay in the area with a chocolate making workshop in Leyburn or brewery tour in Masham. If you’re camping with the kids, the Lightwater Valley Theme Park is half an hour away by car.