Tour of Britain set to boost tourism in the Heart of Devon

Devon is gearing up to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Tour of Britain when the likes of Olympic hero Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish arrive in the county on Friday 20 September.

Businesses and traders are hoping spectators will once again turn out in force to make it a day to remember – providing a final ‘end of summer’ boost to the local economy.

Last year more than 220,000 spectators watched the Devon stage. A survey of more than 3,200 spectators, carried out on behalf of Devon County Council, found that based on an average group size of 1.4 people, day visitors spent £62 and overnight visitors spent £105 per group.

Derek Philips, Chairman of the Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership, said: “Not only is it a fantastic spectacle in itself, but because the Tour of Britain is here on a Friday, there’s the chance for people to really make the most of the whole Tour experience, enjoy the very best that the Heart of Devon has to offer and extend their stay for the full weekend.”

Speaking after completing stage two of the Tour in the Lake District on Monday, Team UK Youth Totnes-based rider Yanto Barker, said: "It's always a thrill to ride in Devon and I do really appreciate the local support. People have always turned out in force to support the Tour in the county and I'm sure this year will be no exception.

“It's great that everyone is excited and gearing up for this year's stage - it's something Devon should rightly be very proud of. It's a lovely place and I'm sure it will be a fantastic stage of this year's tour."

Broadcast on ITV4 and abroad, the tour presents a brilliant showcasing opportunity for Devon.

Heart of Devon member Liz Connor is sales manager of The Buckerell Lodge Hotel on Topsham Road, which is on the Tour of Britain route.

She said: “Everyone watching on television will get a glimpse of our beautiful county – the hills of East Devon, the historical heart of Exeter and Haytor providing a stunning backdrop to the first ever mountain stage finish in the history of the tour. Those watching by the roadside will be spoilt for choice for things to do and places to stay.”

With Devon-based pro cycling Team UK Youth one of a record 19 teams taking part in the tour, Heart of Devon member and cycling enthusiast David Mezzetti, of The Real Food Store on Paris Street, Exeter, is hoping the county turns out to show its support.

He said: “Devon is renowned for producing some fantastic cyclists. The tour had its first British winner last year, Devon-born Jonathan Tiernan-Locke, and this year we’ve got the likes of Yanto Barker from Totnes riding for Nigel Mansell’s Team UK Youth.

“With growing national and international interest in the tour, it’s a chance to put Devon in the ‘shop window’ and celebrate our beautiful countryside, the wonderful things to do and fantastic produce of our county.”

Fellow Heart of Devon member Imogen Turner, of Yearlstone Vineyard in Bickleigh, close to the route, is enticing spectators with special offers at the vineyard’s Deli Shack Café.

She said: “The Tour de France weaves through countless vineyards and I’m delighted that this year’s Tour of Britain comes so close to the Yearlstone Vineyard. It’s no surprise that the tour returns to beautiful Devon year after year. We want to show our support for our local West Country riders and I for one shall be cheering them on as they speed past.”

Starting at 11am in Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast, the stage will cover 85 miles (137km) of Devon countryside, finishing with a SKODA King of the Mountains climb at Haytor on Dartmoor. The riders pass through Honiton, Willand, Tiverton, Bickleigh, Exeter, Starcross, Chudleigh, the Teign Valley, Moretonhampstead and Bovey Tracey, before the final ascent to the finish line at Haytor.

As well as top attractions on or close to the route including Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Crealy Great Adventure Park, 37 hotels, 28 B&Bs and guest houses, 35 self-catering options, seven campsites and even two castles – Tiverton and Bickleigh – offer spectators a range of accommodation options for those taking the chance to turn their enjoyment of the tour into an overnight or weekend break.

The Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership has set up a section on its website giving the range of accommodation options and tourist attractions along the route: www.heartofdevon.com/devontourofbritain plus maps of sections of the route for visitors to cycle themselves.