The Grand Depart of the 2014 Tour de France will pass through some of Yorkshire's finest towns, cities and open countryside. JOSH LUCKHURST looks at how cycling fans can spend their time in the county once the peloton has whizzed past.


Day One

Leeds – The city has an estimated population of 757,700 making it the third largest in the United Kingdom. Home to Yorkshire cricket, Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos, the city's attractions include the Royal Armouries Museum and Leeds Art Gallery, while the range of shops see it dubbed the Knightsbridge of the North.

Otley – Host to the famous Otley Cycle Race, traditionally held on the longest Wednesday in June, and on the fringes of the Otley Chevin Country Park. London 2012 road race silver medallist Lizzie Armistead was born in the town, which will host a spectator hub during the Grand Depart.

Ilkley - In 2005 and 2007, the town hosted stages of the Tour of Britain race, with Ilkley Moor being a categorised climb on each occasion. The Old Bridge just outside the town centre is the official start of the Dales Way, an 84-mile walk through the Dales to Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District.

Skipton – Built in 1090, Skipton Castle has dominated the market town for more than 900 years. Skipton has an entry in the Domesday Book, the great survey by William I in 1095. Away from the town's historic cobbled High Street, the scenic Bolton Abbey estate and Embsay steam railway are close by.

Aysgarth – The village also has an entry on the Domesday Book as Echescard. The Aysgarth Falls are a triple flight of waterfalls on a one-mile stretch of the River Ure. The upper fall featured on the film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.

Hawes – A village in the heart of Wensleydale. The main attraction is the Wensleydale Creamery Centre, which was established by former workers of the original Hawes Dairy in 1992. Hawes National Park Visitor Centre will host a spectator hub for the Grand Depart.

Reeth - Unofficial capital of Swaledale, home to the annual Reeth Show - which celebrated its centenary year in 2012 - on the final Wednesday of August. The former Saxon settlement was a huge player in the country's lead industry. Author Ruby Ferguson, most notable for the Jill series, was born and raised in Reeth.

Leyburn - The Leyburn Shawl is an escarpment that affords the finest view point in the Yorkshire Dales. Forbidden Corner is situated just a few miles away. Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson grew up in Leyburn.

Middleham – The Middleham Jewel was found on a bridal path near Middleham Castle in 1985. The Yorkshire Museum in York bought the Jewel for £2.5 million. Middleham Castle is now an English Heritage site. Horseracing is the number one employer in the town, with top trainer Mark Johnston based here.

Masham – Home to two working breweries, Black Sheep Brewery and Theakstons, which are only a few hundred metres apart. Town hosts the Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally, plus its popular Annual Sheep Fair.

Ripon – Home to Yorkshire's garden racecourse and spectacular seventh century cathedral, while close by are Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Brimham Rocks and the theme park Lightwater Valley, with more than 40 rides and attractions.

Harrogate - The Spa town's superb Stray will provide the backdrop to the closing stages of day one of the Grand Depart. Harrogate is famed for its pavement culture, beautiful Valley Gardens, Turkish Baths and Betty's tearoom. Also home to the peerless Yorkshire Tea.


Day Two

York – A host of landmarks such as the York Minster and the Shambles as well as the city walls – a two mile walk circling the city centre. Home to one of the world's finest racecourses on Knavesmire - the start for day two of Le Tour - plus Jorvik Viking Centre, Yorkshire Museum, Castle Museum and Clifford's Tower.

Knaresborough – Home to Mother Shipton’s Cave, England’s oldest tourist attraction. The ruins of Knaresborough Castle overlook the River Nidd. Knaresborough is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Chenaresburg, meaning 'Cenheard's fortress’.

Keighley - Home to Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, the Timothy Taylor Brewery and Keighley Picture House, a cinema in North Street has been running since 1913. Nearby Victoria Park will host a spectator hub for the Grand Depart.

Haworth – The famous Bronte sisters moved to Haworth - a literary mecca - in 1820 and lived in Haworth Parsonage, now the Bronte Parsonage Museum. Hosts the Bronte Vintage Gathering annually on the second weekend in May. The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway passes through the town. The Edwardian Oakworth station was a location for the famous 1970s film The Railway Children.

Hebden Bridge – A popular walking centre, the village has a bohemian feel to it and the nearby Hardcastle Crags, owned by the National Trust, are a major draw for tourists. Calder Holmes Park will be the site of a spectator hub for the Grand Depart.

Ripponden - Hosts the annual Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Festival. The village is on the route of the Calderdale Way, a 50-mile circular walk around the hills and valleys of Calderdale. The town is also home to an annual pork pie competition.

Huddersfield - Boasts the third highest number of listed buildings of any town or city in the UK. The most famous landmark is the Victoria Tower on Castle Hill. Overlooking the town, the tower was constructed to mark Queen Victoria's 60th Jubilee Year. A spectator hub for Le Tour will be based in St George's Square.

Holmfirth – Famous as the home of the popular Last Of The Summer Wine television series, with visitors able to take tours around the locations in the town. Hosts the Holmfirth Folk Festival every May and Holmfirth Art Week annually in July.

Holme Moss – One of England's best known cycle ascents, and has acquired a reputation as among the country's more difficult climbs. The length and difficulty of Holme Moss relative to other British climbs has made it a frequent and popular inclusion in British races, including the Tour of Britain and of course Le Tour.

Peak District National Park – Historic buildings such as Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall are situated in the Peak District. Also, the Mining Museum and Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site can be found here among many other landmarks, such as Bolsover Castle.

Sheffield - The Sheffield Walk of Fame in the city centre honours famous Sheffield residents past and present, aping Hollywood's pavement stars. The Crucible Theatre hosts snooker’s World Championship. There are also more than 1,100 listed buildings. Don Valley Bowl will be a spectator hub at the close of day two in Le Tour.

* Further information about all locations and attractions on the route of the Grand Depart is available by visiting the websites http://letour.yorkshire.com/ or http://www.yorkshire.com/

For the latest updates and route maps visit yorkpress.co.uk/tourdefrance