Key Takeaways:
- The Tour de France will return to the UK in 2027, with the Grand Depart starting in Scotland for the first time.
- The men’s race will travel through Scotland, England, and Wales, with stages in Edinburgh, Carlisle, Keswick, Liverpool, Welshpool, and Cardiff.
- The women’s race, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, will start in Leeds and travel to Manchester, Sheffield, and London.
- The event is expected to attract millions of fans and will feature a dedicated social impact programme to promote activity, wellbeing, and community engagement.
- The route will showcase the UK’s stunning landscapes, including the Lake District National Park, the Pennines, and the South Wales Valleys.
Introduction to the Tour de France
The Tour de France, one of the most prestigious cycling events in the world, will return to the UK in 2027, with the Grand Depart starting in Scotland for the first time. The 114th edition of the competition will begin in Edinburgh on Friday, 2 July 2027, and will travel 184km to Carlisle in the opening stage. The men’s race will then travel through England and Wales, with stages in Keswick, Liverpool, Welshpool, and Cardiff. The women’s race, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, will start in Leeds on Friday, 30 July 2027, and will travel to Manchester, Sheffield, and London.
The Men’s Route
The men’s opening stage from Edinburgh will head through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, tackling the steep "Côte de Melrose" climb in the Eildon Hills. The route will then trace the Scottish-English border along Liddesdale, briefly dipping into Dumfries and Galloway before crossing into Cumberland ahead of the set finish outside Carlisle’s medieval castle. The second stage will begin in Keswick in the heart of the Lake District National Park, heading south alongside Thirlmere, Grasmere, Rydal Water, and Windermere, and skirting the Morecambe Bay coastline. Cyclists will then head to the Lancashire fells via Lancaster and the "Côte de Jubilee Tower", with four categorised climbs on the edge of the Pennines before the riders race to the stage finish at The Strand in Liverpool.
The Women’s Route
The women’s race will kick off in Leeds on Friday, 30 July 2027, travelling west and over the Pennines to Manchester. Competitors will then cycle from Manchester to Sheffield via the Peak District National Park the following day, before concluding with a showpiece stage in London on Sunday, 1 August. Further details on the London stage of the event will be announced in the spring. The women’s race is a significant event, as it will be the first time part of the women’s competition will take place in the UK. Britain has hosted two previous Grand Departs for the men’s competition, first in 2007 and again in 2014.
Social Impact and Community Engagement
A dedicated social impact programme will be delivered as part of the build-up to the races, aiming to tackle inactivity, improve mental wellbeing, boost economic growth, and support communities to thrive. Six core programmes will be rolled out across the home nations to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills, break down barriers for girls in sport, and to showcase community culture through the voices of Britain. Additionally, British Cycling is aiming to recruit more than 7,000 volunteers to play a hands-on role in delivering the events, with more information to be announced in the spring.
Showcasing the UK’s Landscapes
The event is expected to attract millions of fans and will feature a dedicated social impact programme to promote activity, wellbeing, and community engagement. The route will showcase the UK’s stunning landscapes, including the Lake District National Park, the Pennines, and the South Wales Valleys. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan believe it to be a fantastic opportunity to showcase both nations’ stunning landscapes. Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, and Marion Rousse, director of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, welcomed the reveal of the host towns and cities, stating that they "want passion, we want huge crowds, but we want beautiful landscapes, we want outstanding sceneries".
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Tour de France’s return to the UK in 2027 is a significant event that will showcase the country’s stunning landscapes and promote activity, wellbeing, and community engagement. The men’s and women’s routes will travel through some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland, England, and Wales, attracting millions of fans and providing a unique opportunity for the UK to host a major international sporting event. With its dedicated social impact programme and commitment to community engagement, the Tour de France is set to leave a lasting legacy in the UK, promoting cycling and physical activity for years to come.
