Tour de France 2019: Seven great places to watch the race from the UK

If you want to soak up the yellow jersey fever, we’ve pulled together a list of the best places to watch the Tour de France across the UK

The Tour de France is one of the world’s biggest sporting events, with viewing figures topped only by the World Cup and Olympics Games. More than 12 million spectators watch cycling’s biggest race from the roadside every year, while 190 countries broadcast the Tour on TV.

British riders have the chance to dominate the 2019 race, which this year runs from 6-28 July, with the likes of defending champion Geraint Thomas and the Vuelta a Espana winner Adam Yates tipped to shine.

If you want to soak up the yellow jersey fever, we’ve pulled together a list of the best places to watch the Tour de France across the UK.

1. Look mum no hands! – London (Throughout the entire Tour)

The cafe, come bar, come cycling haven in Old Street is one of the best places to watch the Tour de France in London. Look mum no hands! is a place where cycling and cyclists of all abilities are welcome to soak in the Tour de France with a big screen showing every one of the 21 stages throughout July. If you need a puncture fixed whilst you nurse a pilsner, they’ve also got a bike workshop.

2. Tour de France Fan Park at Penn House (Buckinghamshire – July 14th)

For Stage 9 only, a taste of the Tour de France will be brought to the English Countryside as the official sportive for the Tour is hosted on the 14th of July. Watch in the sunshine whilst tucking into French and local food/drink. It’s a day for the whole family with a bike powered scalextric track, adventure course and a huge collection of vintage bikes, clothing and cars.

3. The Dynamo, Putney (London – Throughout the entire Tour)

If you’re planning on having a ride around Richmond Park and watching the Tour after, there is no better place to head than The Dynamo in Putney. Just shy of a three mile bike ride from Richmond Park’s Roehampton Gate, it’s the perfect place to finish a day in the saddle and then watch the pros go.

4. Gorilla Coffee Cafe (Birmingham – Throughout the entire Tour)

What has quickly become established as one of Birmingham’s best cycling cafes, the Gorilla Coffee Cafe is an ideal place to cheer on the Tour. With a wide range of coffee, alcoholic beverages and food on offer as well as a projector and big screen it’s the perfect place to perch up for a few hours. Gorilla Coffee Cafe is known to hold part days on the last day of cycling’s biggest races and will be carrying on the theme for the 2019 TdF.

5. Business As Usual – Bristol (Throughout the entire Tour)

Business As Usual seem to make good on their claim of being the home of Bristol cycling with a cafe, workshop, custom paint studio and retail showroom. The wider cycling community are always about so the atmosphere will be one to get involved in, especially if a Brit is high up the general classification standings.

6. Ride My Bike Cafe – Cardiff, Wales (Throughout the entire Tour)

It should come as no surprise that this place was rocking in 2018, as Geraint Thomas stunned the cycling world to be crowned Tour de France champion. This cafe, based in central Cardiff, has great access to the Taff trail and is a friendly place that will be sure to be cheering on the UK’s best hope of winning the yellow jersey in its 100th year anniversary.

7. The Tourmalet – Edinburgh, Scotland (Throughout the entire Tour)

Named after the notoriously difficult mountain climb, this cycling-themed bar is a friendly, traditional pub, brimming with character. Whilst you’re watching the action on a projector screen there are a tasty variety of Scottish, Belgian and German beer to wrap your lips around.

And if you can’t make it to any of the above establishments, the next best place to catch all the action of the Tour de France is on their official app.

The Tour de France takes place between Saturday 6 and Sunday 28 July. The 2019 edition of the race marks the 100th anniversary of the famous yellow jersey. For more information and to enter the official Fantasy League, please visit: https://www.letour.fr/en/