The 2023 Tour of Britain heads to Suffolk

The UK’s most prestigious cycle race is heading to Suffolk this September

With less than a month until the 2023 Tour of Britain gets underway, Suffolk is gearing up to welcome over 100 of the world’s top cyclists for stage five, which will take place on Thursday 7th September.

Whether you’re holidaying in Suffolk or visiting for the day, read on to find out more about where you can watch this prestigious cycle race as they head through Suffolk.

The Tour of Britain

The Tour of Britain will get underway on Sunday 3rd September, in Greater Manchester and finish in South Wales on Sunday 10th September. The cyclists will complete eight stages, and we can’t wait to welcome them to Suffolk for stage five.

Stage Five – Felixstowe to Felixstowe

Stage five will start and finish in the coastal town of Felixstowe and see the cyclists travel 192.4km through Suffolk’s beautiful countryside. Due to start at approximately 10:45am on Sea Road, the race will proceed to Ipswich before making its way through several towns and villages, with Needham Market, Stowmarket, Framlingham, Leiston and Woodbridge all set to feature.

If you’re in Suffolk on 7th September, why not head to one of these areas and catch a glimpse of the riders as they cycle past? You can even make a day of it, exploring your chosen location. Suffolk’s county town Ipswich boasts a beautiful waterfront, where you can enjoy a walk, a drink and a bite to eat in one of the many eateries whilst overlooking the marina. The beautiful market town of Woodbridge is home to many independent shops, cafes and restaurants, and a walk around the River Deben offers some beautiful scenery. If you choose Framlingham, then we’d certainly recommend a visit to Framlingham Castle, featured in Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Castle on the Hill’; in fact, our guide to Framlingham Castle shares some great insights into why you should visit.

Why not check out the entire stage five route, available on the Tour of Britain’s website, and start planning where you’ll be watching? If you need recommendations on where to visit afterwards, the Best of Suffolk team would be happy to assist.

Past cycle events

Suffolk is no stranger to hosting world-class cycle events. It’ll be the sixth time since the Tour of Britain returned in 2004 that it has featured on its schedule. It’s also been a favourite of its sister race, the Women’s Tour, which has seen Suffolk feature many times since it started in 2014, with Felixstowe seeing the 2021 race culminate there.

Cycle on the Suffolk Coast

Suffolk is a great county to explore on two wheels, whether you’re a keen cyclist or a casual recreational rider.

Our stunning coastline and rolling countryside mean you can enjoy some great scenery as you make your way through Suffolk’s towns and villages. Plus, it offers a great mode of transport if you want to leave the car behind.

To find out more about cycling in Suffolk, and details of some recommended cycle routes, visit The Suffolk Coast website.

Image courtesy of – The Suffolk Coast – Tour of Britain: The Suffolk Coast: Cycling in Suffolk