Everything you need to know about the Tour De France Grand Départ 2027 in the Lake District

The Tour de France Grand Départ is coming to the Lake District National Park in July 2027!

Supported by hosting from UK Sport, the famous race will start its journey in Scotland and make its way down into England and through the Lake District, before heading on to Liverpool. The final leg will commence in Wales, where it will also finish.

The men’s Tour de France is the world’s largest annual cycling event and has been running for more than 120 years. Spectators do not need to purchase a ticket and can enjoy watching participants riding through the unique cultural landscape of the Lake District National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site for free. Cyclists will be passing by impressive mountains like Skiddaw and the Fairfield Horseshoe range, as well as the beautiful Thirlmere reservoir and England’s largest lake, Windermere.

As we look forward to welcoming riders and fans next year to our beautiful landscapes and thriving local businesses, here are some of the key questions you might be asking.

racing cyclists in brightly coloured clothing cycling fast along road in lake district with view of fells in the background

Image credits to Alex Whitehead

When is the race coming to the Lake District?

Stage 2 of the race, on Saturday 3 July, will start in Keswick in the Lake District National Park. The race will travel to Windermere, and then south to Milnthorpe and onwards. The route continues past Lancaster to reach the outskirts of Liverpool. Here are some other key dates to be aware of:

Tuesday, 29 June – Opening of the race headquarters and press centre at Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Wednesday, 30 June – Presentation of the 2027 Tour de France teams at Edinburgh Castle
Friday, 2 July – stage one – Edinburgh to Carlisle (184km)
Saturday, 3 July – stage two – Keswick to Liverpool (223km)
Sunday, 4 July – stage three – Welshpool to Cardiff (223km)

Where can I watch the race and support participants?

The route through the Lake District will be spectacular, with lots of great opportunities for viewing and photographing the event.

The start in Keswick will have a great atmosphere, and a chance to see the riders before they set off. Local businesses and communities on or near the route are gearing up to welcome visitors and are already planning special events linked with the race.

Note that there will be road closures in place, so the best way to get to the route is by bike, on foot or by using park and ride services. Please also respect local farmers and landowners and make sure you have permission to spectate from any land you visit.

We’ll provide more detailed information about access and spectating once park and ride and road closures details have been finalised, so subscribe to our social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube) and bookmark this blog on your browser to return to across the next few months.

line of racing cyclists on road alongside lake in lake district

Image credits to Simon Wilkinson

What guidance should I follow as a spectator?

To ensure a happy and responsible weekend of enjoying the race, here are some of our top tips for watching the Tour de France in the Lake District:

Leave no trace. Take all your litter home with you to avoid this becoming a hazard for the cyclists, local communities, and wildlife.
Support local businesses. Independent cafes, shops, bed and breakfasts and hotels all rely on the support of visitors, so indulge in local goods and produce! Find out more about Lake District businesses on Cumbria Tourism’s website.
Take public transport where you can. Why not arrive at the race by train rather than a car to skip the parking faff? Search and book trains across the UK on Trainline and Europe at Omio. Once here, use local bus and park and ride services so you can sit back and enjoy the journey.
Accommodation will be at a premium so book early. There will be additional camping and motorhome staying locations available. Please use official sites rather than fly camping/parking. For more information on where to stay during the race, see Visit Lake District.
Explore what makes the Lake District unique while you are here. We are a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there is so much more to our iconic landscape of lakes and mountain landscapes than pretty views. You can find out all about the Lake District with our Learning resources.

group of young women in helmets on bikes next to lake

Helmets are essential if you are cycling!

I’ve caught the cycling bug. Where can I cycle in the Lake District?

Long distance cycling routes include the Bay Cycle Way, Coast to Coast National Trail, Walney to Wear and Whitby trail, Hadrian’s Cycleway 72 and the Lakes and Dales Loop.
Exciting mountain bike trails can be found in places like Grizedale and Whinlatter forests, looked after by Forestry England.
Families can enjoy flat, off-road routes such Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail along with miles of other accessible routes,
Find out more about cycling in the Lake District.

Bring your own bike or hire one when you’re here, with mountain, road and e-bikes available to rent at our Hawkshead Information Centre. To build up your confidence, why not join an eBike tour.

Roads used by participants of the Tour de France should not be used by non-participant cyclists for the duration of the race.

cyclists outside a pub stood next to their bikes

Refuel while cycling in the Lake District's vibrant pubs and cafes. Image credits to Visit Lake District

I’m worried about road closures and disruption. What should I do?

Roads will be closed to allow the race to happen safely. Road closure updates will be shared in advance of the event to allow you to plan ahead.
For more information, visit the Cumberland Council website and follow Cumberland Council on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram).
Be aware of different operating times or cancellations of public transport services if you are planning to use them. Bus network updates can be found through the Stagecoach website.
Be kind. Remember that there will be a greater number of people out and about and increased road traffic in the Lake District on the weekend of the 3 July 2027, particularly in the Keswick area, the central Lake District around Windermere, and south of the National Park around Milnthorpe. Expect some delays, be patient with people around you, and if somewhere is looking too busy for you, go elsewhere.

How can I find out more?

Stay in the loop:

Visit the new Tour de France website.
Sign up for the e-newsletter for updates on the event.