East Suffolk Council
Tour of Britain
The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men returns to East Suffolk in September!
Britain’s biggest professional cycle race and the UK’s largest free-to-spectate live sporting event will return on Tuesday 2 September, with the opening stage of the race departing from Woodbridge and finishing in Southwold.
Since its return in 2004, the Tour of Britain has become a cornerstone of the UK sporting calendar. More than 15 million people have watched the event in person, with the race generating over £330m for the UK economy to date.
Route
Tuesday 2 September will see riders getting underway from Woodbridge in East Suffolk, and facing a 161.4-kilometre (100.4-mile) stage to Southwold, the first time that the opening stage of Britain’s biggest professional men’s cycle race has been held in Suffolk since 2012.
From the start in Woodbridge at 11am, riders will initially head west, before looping back around through Grundisburgh, Wickham Market, and Rendlesham, before passing the famous Snape Maltings to reach the Suffolk coast at Aldeburgh.
Running alongside the sea to Thorpeness, the route then turns inland, weaving through Saxmundham and Framlingham, to the day’s intermediate sprint on Walpole Road in Halesworth.
The stage will reach its northernmost point at Bungay, routing back towards Southwold via Beccles, Wrentham and Reydon, for the finish on North Parade in Southwold, which is expected at around 3.05pm.
An evening with Ned Boulting
Tickets are now on sale for a special event with acclaimed sports broadcaster Ned Boulting, ahead of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men arriving in East Suffolk.
Sports broadcaster, author, and cycling enthusiast Ned Boulting will be speaking at the Seckford Theatre in Woodbridge on Sunday 31 August, exploring the fascinating intersections of history, sport, and media.
Sign up for the East Suffolk sportive
East Suffolk is gearing up for a thrilling cycling celebration as the Lloyd’s Tour of Britain Men returns to our region on Tuesday 2 September - and we’re kicking things off early with a special East Suffolk Sportive on Sunday 31 August. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or simply looking for a new challenge, there’s a route for you, plus plenty of fun for the whole family, with exciting community activities.
A sportive is a mass-participation cycling event that’s open to riders of all abilities, offering a great opportunity to challenge yourself over a marked route with support along the way. Whether you're aiming for a personal best or simply riding for fun, sportives are a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, improve your fitness, and be part of a vibrant cycling community. It’s also a chance to make a positive impact by supporting our local charity partner, Suffolk Mind, while doing something you love.
Entries close on 29 August.
Travel information
Details of all road closures and parking suspensions in East Suffolk will follow in due course.
News
- Book your place for an evening with Ned Boulting (22 August 2025)
- Suffolk routes revealed for opening stages of Lloyds Tour of Britain Men (6 August 2025)
- Take part in the East Suffolk sportive! (29 July 2025)
- Cycling jersey design competition launched for Tour of Britain’s return to East Suffolk (18 July 2025)
- Funding available to support Tour of Britain activities (17 July 2025)
- Suffolk to host opening stages of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men (15 July 2025)
What does the Tour bring to East Suffolk?
An Economic Impact Report, produced by Suffolk Growth, revealed that over 113,000 spectators lined the 192.4km route of the 2023 stage through the county, with an estimated 53% of these coming to see the event from outside of the local area and 89% pledging to visit the area again. The local hospitality industry also benefited with an estimated 9,500 attendees enjoying overnight stays.
30% of spectators cycled to the event with 52% inspired to cycle more often as a direct result of watching the race, supporting Suffolk’s ambition to get more residents cycling and benefiting from the physical and mental wellbeing it can provide.
Grants
Town and parish councils, local groups and voluntary organisations in East Suffolk are invited to apply for funding to support community activities relating to the upcoming Tour of Britain Men. Applications are now closed.
Design a cycle jersey competition!
East Suffolk Council has launched a cycle jersey design competition to inspire local creativity as excitement builds towards the opening stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men in East Suffolk on Tuesday 2 September.
Entries from three age categories – 11 and under, 12-17 years old and over 18s – will be judged by a cycling mad panel from East Suffolk Council, with a guest judge from British Cycling. The best design in each age category will be transformed into cycling jerseys by www.thecyclejersey.com.
The winners of each category will be invited to receive a prize on the podium at the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men Stage Finish in Southwold on Tuesday 2 September, and will receive their winning jersey by the end of September.
The competition is open to anyone, of any age, who lives or works in East Suffolk.
Entries are now closed.