The Grand Depart gets into full swing as one of the world's biggest sporting spectacles, Le Tour de France, gets under way in Yorkshire.
The race starts on Saturday at Leeds Town Hall when the riders will set off at 11.10am. Two hours earlier the celebrated carnival "caravane" will pass by the same location.
The first Stage 1 on Saturday goes from Leeds on a northern route up through Skipton and as north as Muker before turning south down to Ripon and finally Harrogate.
Stage 2 on Sunday starts in York, heading west to Hebden Bridge before turning south to Huddersfield, the Peak National Park and finally Sheffield. (For a map and all locations scroll down.)
The world class cyclists of Le Tour will be wending their way through some of Yorkshire's most spectacular scenery, pretty villages, imposing climbs and impressive streets, so if you're planning to catch the riders here's our guide to the best places to see the race.
From Dales beauty spots to leafy avenues, these are the vantage points to catch this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the pinnacle of cycling speed by.
Times below are estimated. The carnival caravane passes through each location approximately two hours before the riders. All times are for riders.Our guide to six top scenic locations to watchSaturdayIlkley12:30pm![tourilk]()
This pretty, traditional spa town offers some of Yorkshire's finest tearooms, most magnificent countryside, superb Victorian architecture and a rock climbers' paradise with the famous Cow and Calf Rocks sitting proudly above the town, at the edge of the rolling Yorkshire Moors. The windswept moors, incidentally, are the inspiration for the unofficial anthem of Yorkshire, On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at, which, as every good Yorkshireman knows, means "on Ilkley Moor without a hat". The Old Bridge just outside the town centre is the official start to the Dales Way, an 84-mile walk through the dales to Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District. And, did you know, Ilkley is also home to John Cunliffe, the creator of Postman Pat? While there, check out The Grove for its parade of quirky gift shops and The Michelin-starred Box Tree restaurant, where Marco Pierre White trained.
Le Tour will approach the town on the A65 from Otley and pass through the town centre.Buckden1.32pm![tourbuck]()
Set in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park, the village of Buckden is a popular destination for walkers and holidaymakers alike set in stunning Dales Countryside. Buckden is situated in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, on the River Wharfe, in Wharfedale. It is situated where Buckden Gill, which rises on Buckden Pike, joins the River Wharfe. Up the Gill is an old, long disused, lead mine called Buckden Gavel Mine. After watching the peleton pass, it's well worth popping into the traditional and pleasantly rustic Buck Inn for a pint. If you're feeling more energetic, you could always spend the rest of the day walking Buckden Pike, which at 2,303ft, narrowly misses out on being the highest peak in the area.Aysgarth1.58pm![tourays]()
In the heart of Wensleydale, Aysgarth falls gives you the opportunity to witness the Yorkshire Dales' dramatic water scenes. These are a triple flight of waterfalls on the River Ure which stretch for over a mile. The falls are fast flowing, especially during wet weather, as thousands of gallons of water cascade over the series of broad limestone steps. Aysgarth Falls is a popular tourist attraction and have been the subject of works by Ruskin, Turner and Wordsworth who all visited the area. The upper fall was featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves where Kevin Costner's outlaw fought Little John.Hawes2.20pm![tourhawes]()
Home to Wensleydale cheese and the Dales Countryside Museum, the thriving market town of Hawes, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, is well-worth a visit as a vantage point for Le Tour. Set amongst stunning scenery it's no surprise that Hawes is one of the "honeypot" tourist attractions of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The name Hawes itself actually means a 'pass between mountains' and stands between the stunning Buttertubs and Fleet Moss – a real challenge Grand Depart competitors. While there take time to visit the 18th Century water-powered cotton spinning Gayle Mill.Harrogate4.29pm![tourharro]()
With its handsome historic buildings and verdant gardens, the famed spa-town of Harrogate is one of Yorkshire's most elegant destinations, as known for its healing waters as its grand architecture and posh tearooms.
Harrogate's elegance and style draws from its 18th century history, when it became the spa town of choice for its wealthy visitors. It has left a legacy of extravagant hotels, green open spaces and beautiful parks and gardens, including the award-winning Valley Gardens and Royal Horticultural Society's Harlow Carr. The waters can still be enjoyed at the luxurious Turkish Baths.
A spot of shopping, a leisurely lunch, a wander through the gardens, afternoon tea; you will soon find yourself slowing down to enjoy the leisurely pace of this relaxed town. Independent, antique, designer and high-street shops ensure that there is shopping for everyone whether you are on the cobbled streets of the Montpellier Quarter or the tree lined avenues of the main streets.
As well as all the usual attractions en route, Harrogate is also the location of the West Park Stray Fan Park, where stage one of the race will finish. With a capacity of 20,000+ the fan park looks set to be one of the locations to watch Le Tour on its Yorkshire leg.SundayHaworth1.16pm![tourhowarth]()
Home of the famous Brontë sisters, Haworth is an undisputed literary mecca, attracting visitors from all around the world to visit the Brontë Parsonage and the windswept moors that are home to Cathy and Heathcliffe's Wuthering Heights. It's likely that the climb of Haworth's famous, and famously steep, cobbled main street will be one of the iconic images from Stage 2 of the 201km, York to Sheffield Grand Depart.Stage one route (Saturday) locations: Leeds, Otley, Ilkley, Skipton, Kettlewell, Kidstones, Hawes, Muker, Leyburn, West Tanfield, Masham, Ripon, Harewood, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Addingham, Grassington, Buckden, Aysgarth,Buttertubs Pass, Reeth, Middleham, East Witton, North Stainley, Harrogate.Stage two route (Sunday) locations: York, Blubberhouses, Keighley, Oxenhope, Cragg Vale, Huddersfield, Holme Moss, Langsett, Sheffield, Knaresborough, Addingham, Haworth, Hebden Bridge, Ripponden, Holmfirth, Peak District National Park, High Bradfield.Maps![tourmapsmall]()
This pretty, traditional spa town offers some of Yorkshire's finest tearooms, most magnificent countryside, superb Victorian architecture and a rock climbers' paradise with the famous Cow and Calf Rocks sitting proudly above the town, at the edge of the rolling Yorkshire Moors. The windswept moors, incidentally, are the inspiration for the unofficial anthem of Yorkshire, On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at, which, as every good Yorkshireman knows, means "on Ilkley Moor without a hat". The Old Bridge just outside the town centre is the official start to the Dales Way, an 84-mile walk through the dales to Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District. And, did you know, Ilkley is also home to John Cunliffe, the creator of Postman Pat? While there, check out The Grove for its parade of quirky gift shops and The Michelin-starred Box Tree restaurant, where Marco Pierre White trained.
Le Tour will approach the town on the A65 from Otley and pass through the town centre.Buckden1.32pm
Set in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park, the village of Buckden is a popular destination for walkers and holidaymakers alike set in stunning Dales Countryside. Buckden is situated in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, on the River Wharfe, in Wharfedale. It is situated where Buckden Gill, which rises on Buckden Pike, joins the River Wharfe. Up the Gill is an old, long disused, lead mine called Buckden Gavel Mine. After watching the peleton pass, it's well worth popping into the traditional and pleasantly rustic Buck Inn for a pint. If you're feeling more energetic, you could always spend the rest of the day walking Buckden Pike, which at 2,303ft, narrowly misses out on being the highest peak in the area.Aysgarth1.58pm
In the heart of Wensleydale, Aysgarth falls gives you the opportunity to witness the Yorkshire Dales' dramatic water scenes. These are a triple flight of waterfalls on the River Ure which stretch for over a mile. The falls are fast flowing, especially during wet weather, as thousands of gallons of water cascade over the series of broad limestone steps. Aysgarth Falls is a popular tourist attraction and have been the subject of works by Ruskin, Turner and Wordsworth who all visited the area. The upper fall was featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves where Kevin Costner's outlaw fought Little John.Hawes2.20pm
Home to Wensleydale cheese and the Dales Countryside Museum, the thriving market town of Hawes, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, is well-worth a visit as a vantage point for Le Tour. Set amongst stunning scenery it's no surprise that Hawes is one of the "honeypot" tourist attractions of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The name Hawes itself actually means a 'pass between mountains' and stands between the stunning Buttertubs and Fleet Moss – a real challenge Grand Depart competitors. While there take time to visit the 18th Century water-powered cotton spinning Gayle Mill.Harrogate4.29pm
With its handsome historic buildings and verdant gardens, the famed spa-town of Harrogate is one of Yorkshire's most elegant destinations, as known for its healing waters as its grand architecture and posh tearooms.
Harrogate's elegance and style draws from its 18th century history, when it became the spa town of choice for its wealthy visitors. It has left a legacy of extravagant hotels, green open spaces and beautiful parks and gardens, including the award-winning Valley Gardens and Royal Horticultural Society's Harlow Carr. The waters can still be enjoyed at the luxurious Turkish Baths.
A spot of shopping, a leisurely lunch, a wander through the gardens, afternoon tea; you will soon find yourself slowing down to enjoy the leisurely pace of this relaxed town. Independent, antique, designer and high-street shops ensure that there is shopping for everyone whether you are on the cobbled streets of the Montpellier Quarter or the tree lined avenues of the main streets.
As well as all the usual attractions en route, Harrogate is also the location of the West Park Stray Fan Park, where stage one of the race will finish. With a capacity of 20,000+ the fan park looks set to be one of the locations to watch Le Tour on its Yorkshire leg.SundayHaworth1.16pm
Home of the famous Brontë sisters, Haworth is an undisputed literary mecca, attracting visitors from all around the world to visit the Brontë Parsonage and the windswept moors that are home to Cathy and Heathcliffe's Wuthering Heights. It's likely that the climb of Haworth's famous, and famously steep, cobbled main street will be one of the iconic images from Stage 2 of the 201km, York to Sheffield Grand Depart.Stage one route (Saturday) locations: Leeds, Otley, Ilkley, Skipton, Kettlewell, Kidstones, Hawes, Muker, Leyburn, West Tanfield, Masham, Ripon, Harewood, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Addingham, Grassington, Buckden, Aysgarth,Buttertubs Pass, Reeth, Middleham, East Witton, North Stainley, Harrogate.Stage two route (Sunday) locations: York, Blubberhouses, Keighley, Oxenhope, Cragg Vale, Huddersfield, Holme Moss, Langsett, Sheffield, Knaresborough, Addingham, Haworth, Hebden Bridge, Ripponden, Holmfirth, Peak District National Park, High Bradfield.Maps
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