Stage 2: Yeovilton to Taunton
Tuesday 11 September

A day out at The Tour of Britain represents a great opportunity to combine watching top class sport with a visit to one or more of the great number of historic and cultural attractions that punctuate the route of Stage 2. The following are just a few of the things you could take a look at on September 11 2007 as part of your visit to Stage 2.

Around Yeovilton

The Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton, offers visitors the chance to see a magnificent array of planes close up and to experience what it’s like to stand on the deck of a Royal Navy aircraft carrier! The museum is also home to one of the remaining Concorde’s, and houses valuable restoration work and educational resources to visiting school parties.

For more information, click on www.fleetairarm.com

Places to see on Stage 2

As well as watching the great racing action during Stage 2, there’s plenty of different locations to visit along the race route.

Montacute House is a magnificent Elizabethan, which featured in the film Sense and Sensibility. It also incorporates a National Portrait Gallery exhibition, garden and park.

At 32km/20miles in length, the West Somerset Railway from Bishop’s Lydeard, near Taunton, to Minehead is the longest independent railway in Britain.

Set in a dramatic hilltop location, Dunster Castle, has sweeping views over Exmoor and the Bristol Channel. The romantic ancient castle has turrets and towers, a fine 17th Century staircase and subtropical gardens.

Porlock is an attractive village containing several old thatched cottages and a range of shops and facilities including a modern visitor centre. Worth a visit are the ancient parish church dedicated to St Dubricius and the museum based in the medieval manorial dower house.

Porlock Weir is a picturesque hamlet and former working harbour enclosed by lock gates. There is a car park, toilets, pub, restaurants and shops, making it a great place to visit.

For more information, click on www.visitsomerset.co.uk,
www.visit-exmoor.co.uk and www.activeexmoor.co.uk

Around Taunton

Taunton lies in the spectacular Vale of Taunton Deane between two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the Quantock and Blackdown Hills. It combines relics of its dramatic past with the buzz and efficiency of a modern county town.

With an extensive shopping mix including farmers’ markets, antiques fairs and lots more, along with fantastic restaurants and leisure facilities, Taunton is a charming and hospitable place to visit year round, but especially on the 11 September when The Tour of Britain arrives.

For more information, click on www.visitsomerset.co.uk