Eden and Ullswater are getting set to welcome the Tour of Britain (ToB) back this year on Monday 5 September following the tremendous success of the 2015 Cumbrian stages.

Stage 2 of the race this year is all within Cumbria, starting at Carlisle and finishing in Kendal. In Eden the race will pass through Armathwaite, Kirkoswald, Lazonby, Penrith, Eamont Bridge, Pooley Bridge, then alongside Ullswater up to Greystoke past Matterdale End. It then continues to Millhouse before leaving Eden on its way to Cockermouth. Later in the stage, the route touches the Eden boundary again near the Kirkstone Pass Inn after having climbed The Struggle before dropping down to Windermere.

For a map of the draft route, timings and further information go to the  Tour of Britain website.

Last year the ToB was hugely popular in Eden with 50,000 people attending the Cumbrian Stage (which was almost entirely within Eden) and lining the route to cheer on the cyclists which included Bradley Wiggins.

Why is the Tour of Britain important for Eden and Ullswater?

The ToB gives us the chance to showcase the District to a worldwide audience; which is particularly important following the December storms. The 2016 route will pass through many town and villages that were affected by the winter storms to show that we are very much ‘open for business’ and still a great place to visit.

The event is the UK’s biggest professional cycle race and the country’s largest free-to-watch sporting event and has live coverage on ITV4 with a highlights programme in the evening.  Over 120 world class riders from 20 teams raced through the Eden District last year for Stage 5 of the race. The race attracts national and international media coverage.

The ToB is valuable for Eden’s economy. The net visitor expenditure impact from the race for the Cumbrian part of Stage 5 last year (which was almost entirely in Eden) was over £1.5 million.

Eden District Council is pleased to be an official partner for the ToB 2016, recognising the valuable economic impact and benefits it brings to local Eden communities.

Tour of Britain Community Events Grants

We are pleased to be offering grants again to support ToB related community events. Last year we supported events in Pooley Bridge, Lazonby, Melmerby, Langwathby, Tirril, Alston and Croglin. A maximum of £500 per parish will be available. It will be a rolling application process with the final deadline being Friday 19 August 2016.

• Application form for Tour of Britain Community Events Grants
• Tour of Britain Community Events Grants – Notes for Applicants

Looking back at last years race

Eden welcomed Stage 5 of the Tour of Britain (ToB) last year on Thursday 10 September. The spectacular sporting finish of the Eden stage, the 8km climb to Hartside was the only mountain finish in the whole of the 2015 tour, and the highest finish ever in the history of the tour!

To see photos from around Eden from last years ToB go to the  Aviva ToB in Eden Pinterest web page.

How can my business benefit from the Tour of Britain?

Business Toolkit

A free Tour of Britain Business Toolkit to help businesses make the most of the ToB in Eden in September is available on the Invest in Eden website.

Promotional opportunities for Tourism businesses

The  Eden Tourism Team are available to offer practical advice, support and promotional opportunities for local tourism businesses, accommodation providers and eating places in Eden. As well as the opportunity to promote your business or services on our dedicated visitor website  www.visiteden.co.uk

For more information about Tourism promotion email:  tourism@eden.gov.uk or telephone: 01768 212165/212167.

Touch the Tour School Pack

Download a free pack from the Active Cumbria website.

Volunteer at the Tour of Britain 2016

Help Tour of Britain spectators and get close to the action!  If you want to find out more or get involved, apply through the Tour of Britain website.

Further Information

For the latest information on the ToB 2016 follow our social media accounts  Twitter and  Facebook.

• Telephone: 01768 212483
• Email:  tourofbritain@eden.gov.uk
• Website: www.tourofbritain.co.uk
• Sign up for email Tour of Britain updates by emailing tourofbritain@eden.gov.uk