Stunning Yorkshire countryside to host thousands of Tour de France spectators

Some of the most picturesque countryside in Yorkshire is being made available Tour de France fans looking to camp out to watch this summer’s Grand Départ.
Brimham Rocks, near Harrogate.Brimham Rocks, near Harrogate.
Brimham Rocks, near Harrogate.

The National Trust, which will invest any money made back into conservation, is allowing visitors to sleep under the stars at spots including Bucken and Hardcastle Crags, Brimham Rocks and East Riddlesden Hall when the race rolls into town on July 5 and 6.

It comes as Tour fever begins to ramp up across the county, with all 20,000 free tickets to view the second stage of the Tour take off from York Racecourse on July 6 being snapped up by fans within four and a half hours yesterday.

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Joanna Royle, from the Nation Trust in Yorkshire, said: “For the Yorkshire Dales, this campsite offers a fantastic opportunity for people to be part of the sporting spectacle while also enjoying the area and helping us care for it.”

Brimham Rocks, near Harrogate.Brimham Rocks, near Harrogate.
Brimham Rocks, near Harrogate.

Meanwhile Tour de France-themed events all over the region look set to thrive, with Ilkley Carnival giving visitors an early Yorkshire Tour taster on May 5.

For the race itself camp sites are to be set up at sports clubs across Ilkley, and though camping on Ilkley Moor is being discouraged, at least one walking tour will be hosted in the week preceding it by the Friends of Ilkley Moor.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/yorkshire for more on the National Trust camp sites, for which early booking is advised.