Hotels near the The Tour of Britain

The UK's answer to the Tour de France picks up from the world famous French race with a dash round the British countryside. Sixteen of the world's elite cycling teams battle it out over six days of rugged riding.

There are six stages to the race, which begins in Glasgow city centre then travels down through England's picturesque countryside, through Yorkshire and the West Midlands, reaching a thrilling climax on Saturday with a sprint finish on the streets of Westminster in London.

The overall winner is the rider who has ridden all six stages in the least amount of time, but the riders also compete to win the individual stages and the titles of best climber and best sprinter.

Once known as the Milk Race, the Tour of Britain is now part of the professional cycling calendar, attracting regional, national and international interest.