The Tour of Britain is Back in Suffolk

The Tour of Britain is Back in Suffolk

There’s going to be another chance to see the top British cyclists in action on the highways and byways of Suffolk this year, as you can watch two stages of the Men’s Tour of Britain. Windmill Lodges can serve as a convenient base during the race – indeed, the route takes it through Saxtead – or for a cycling holiday where you can enjoy the attractions of the county.

The Tour of Britain 2025

Whereas last year East Suffolk – and specifically Felixstowe -was the finishing point for the final stage, this year the Men’s Tour (which this year is sponsored by Lloyds Bank) will start in the county.

On day one (Tuesday, September 2), the race will start in Woodbridge and finish in Southwold. It will be around 100miles in length and will pass through Grundisburgh, Wickham Market, Rendlesham, Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh, Thorpeness, Saxmundham, Framlingham, Saxtead, Peasenhall, Halesworth, where there will be an intermediate sprint, then Bungay, Beccles, Wrentham and Reydon.

The finishing line will be on Southwold’s North Parade, close to the beach and pier. The day’s start time is 11am (at Station Road, Woodbridge) and the finishing time is expected to be around 3.05pm; the riders should be passing through Saxtead just before 1.30pm.   

The race will stay in the county for a second consecutive day (Wednesday, September 3) – starting and finishing in Stowmarket. Over 105miles, the peloton will race through Debenham, Bedfield, Stradbroke (for an intermediate sprint), Eye, Thurston, Felsham, Babergh, Lavenham, and Sudbury before finishing back in Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, after a classified climb just after Hadleigh, at Semer Hill. Start time is 11am and finish time is expected to be around 3.15pm.

The whole race will finish on Sunday, September 7 in Wales, with that day’s racing beginning in Newport and finishing in Cardiff city centre. Although the entries have not yet been finalised, competing teams are expected to be drawn from across Europe and further afield. There should also be an official Great Britain team. For the latest details, check out the British Cycling website.

All the Suffolk routes should be within easy reach of Saxtead – not just the first day – if you want to combine some race viewing with a four- or five-star log cabin holiday in the heart of East Anglia.

The Local Facilities

If you are a keen rider, there are plenty of ways to get your riding ‘fix’ if you fancy a healthy holiday in Suffolk (bear in mind there will be a number of rolling road closures to protect the professional riders during the event itself).

There are a number of National Cycle Network routes which go across Suffolk – route 1 goes north/south through the county, while route 51 goes east-west (from Cambridge to Felixstowe).

There’s also a Suffolk Coast route (not part of the national network), which runs between Lowestoft and Felixstowe and takes in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. If you prefer a slightly more controlled riding environment, then Rendlesham and Tunstall Forests have mountain biking and off-road trails.

Bike Hire

You are more than welcome to bring your own bike with you to Windmill Lodges. However, if you prefer, you can always hire one when you arrive here (which may save on buying bike racks for your car and cut down on some of the packing). We now recommend Velo-Hire, who have a base in Saxmundham; they will deliver your bike to our site. You can also hire bikes at Rendlesham Forest.

Four- and Five Star Log Cabin Holidays at Windmill Lodges

Whether you are coming to Suffolk to watch the race, or you fancy a two-wheeled trip around the county, Windmill Lodges makes the ideal base. We are in the heart of the county, so all the major towns are readily accessible, as is the coast, including the resorts of Southwold and Aldeburgh.

Remember you will be enjoying a four or five-star log cabin holiday, and all our lodges have fully equipped kitchens, en suite bathrooms, TVs in the lounges, and come with hot tubs so you’ll have plenty of time to relax during your Suffolk holiday. Two of our lodges (Woodpecker and Wagtail) are pet-friendly if you want to bring your canine companion with you. And our covered swimming pool is also available throughout the summer months.

To check out the current availability of all our lodges, click here. You can also call us on 01728 685338.