The Tour of Britain is finishing on the Island on Sunday 11th September.  Over 100 of the world’s top cyclists will ride almost 150km, across the Isle of Wight from Ryde to the western tip of the Island. 

An event not to be missed - come along and show your support and celebrate this historical event coming to the Isle of Wight!  

The eighth stage will take cyclists close to several National Trust properties, but the final culminates in a two kilometre climb up the Trust’s Needles Headland, with the last 400m to the New Battery making it the toughest ending to any Tour of Britain in modern history.

There are several places those wishing to watch the race can visit. The route will pass the entrance lane to Bembridge Windmill before later heading on to Mottistone Gardens, where free parking is available. Both sites will be open on the day from 10.30am until 5pm (normal admission applies). The competition continues along Military Road, passing Brook and Compton, where the car parks will be open (charges apply). Smaller car parks between Compton Chine and Freshwater will also be open. Those wishing to view the race along Military Road are asked not to park on the verges.  The last few kilometres will see riders climb the steep road up the Needles Headland, which spectators are welcome to come and line, in order to be in the heart of the atmosphere. The race will pass the Old Battery, which will be open on the day from 10.30am-5pm (normal admission applies) before finishing at the New Battery at around 2-3pm (closed). 

Those wishing to visit either Tennyson Down and the Needles Headland or the Old Battery are advised to walk or cycle, as the large car park at Alum Bay will have limited capacity and the road up the Needles Headland to the New Battery will be closed on the day, with High Down chalk pit car park also closed from the evening of 10 September. There will be no accessible parking at the Needles Old Battery and the Southern Vectis Breezer bus will not be running up the Needles Headland.

For more information on the route and timings, visit https://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-eight/ 

Images credit to National Trust.