Stage Seven
10 September 2022
Download the stage map here.
We’re thrilled to welcome Dorset to the 2022 Tour of Britain, as the historic county gets set to host the UK’s most prestigious cycle race for the first time in modern history.
Dorset’s natural beauty – including the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site that runs through the county – will be showcased to the world as riders travel from West Bay, known for its striking golden cliffs, to Ferndown on Saturday 10 September.
Stage seven will run parallel with the West Dorset Heritage coast before passing through Dorchester, West Lulworth and Corfe Castle. The route heads inland towards Wareham, Milton Abbas and Wimborne Minster and loops round into the heart of Ferndown town centre.
While it may be the modern race’s first visit to Dorset, the county welcomed the Milk Race – a semi-professional forerunner of the Tour of Britain – on multiple occasions during the 1970s and 1980s.
Elevation: 2,377m
West Bay – The Esplanade 11am
B3157 Common Lane 11:15am
Dorchester 12:11pm
Daggers Gate (cat 3) 12:41pm
Whiteways Hill (cat 2) 12:53pm
Wareham 1:14pm
Okeford Hill (cat 2) 2:06pm
Knowlton 2:58pm
Ferndown – Victoria Road 3:26pm
Click here for the full stage timetable.
Spectators wishing travel by train accompanied by a bike to this stage are reminded to check South Western Railway’s cycle policy. Click here for more details.
Host venue for the first time
The pretty harbour of West Bay lies at the heart of the spectacular Jurassic Coast – a Natural World Heritage Site.
This seaside resort is perfect for a day trip or longer break in Dorset and there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. From crabbing on the harbourside, to a day on the beach or paddling a canoe on the River Brit. Visitors can also take in the magnificent views from the cliff top walks along the South West Coast Path.
Hop onboard a sightseeing boat trip along the coast or try catching a fresh mackerel for supper. Why not enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Jurassic Pier to marvel at the stunning and often sunlit cliffs, all while taking in spectacular views which stretch from Portland Bill to Brixham.
There are plenty of tempting treats in the cafes, kiosks, pubs and restaurants that circle the harbour. Choose from delicious fresh seafood dishes to local Dorset ice cream. When it comes to eating out, there is something for everyone here.
Nestled among beautiful hills and rolling countryside, West Bay has everything for the perfect holiday. There’s a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget, plenty of things to do, lots of countryside and coastal walks and a full calendar of events all year round. Some may recognise the views and iconic cliffs as the location of the award-winning ITV drama Broadchurch and it’s easy to see why it was chosen! Find out more at the West Bay Discover Centre.
Just one mile inland from West Bay is the bustling market town of Bridport with its thriving artistic and literary community, delicious local food, farmers’ market and fascinating history to discover.
Find out more about Bridport and West Bay by clicking here.
Host venue for the first time
The town of Ferndown is located in the east of Dorset, near the New Forest National Park.
Much of Ferndown’s development was due to the arrival of the Stewart family from Scotland in 1859 who set up a nursery in the town to grow plants in warmer conditions than up north. Stewarts Garden Centres are still located at nearby Broomhill and Christchurch.
The residential heart of this modern town is surrounded by woodlands, nature reserves, heathlands and rivers. With Holt Heath National Nature Reserve and Ferndown Forest to the north and the River Stour and Longham Lakes to the south, there are plenty of green spaces to explore on foot or by bike.
For cyclists, Sustrans National Cycle Network (NCN) route 256 passes to the north of the town connecting the nearby market town of Wimborne Minster to Ringwood on the edge of the New Forest. At Wimborne, NCN route 25 heads south to the seaside resort of Bournemouth or north towards Bath and The Cotswolds.
For anybody wanting to swap a bike for a pair of walking shoes, there are three signposted trails at Ferndown to choose from. The Castleman Trailway and Ferndown, Stour and Forest Trail can be completed in one or two days. The Stour Valley Way follows the River Stour from Wiltshire through to nearby Christchurch – it totals 64 miles but can easily be split into shorter day walks.
Anyone for golf? Ferndown is spoilt for choice with three golf courses to choose from. There are driving ranges, 27-hole courses and acres of manicured greens to explore.
Planning on staying overnight? There are a variety of places to stay in and around Ferndown including hotels, B&Bs, glamping, camping and caravan parks. The town also has many pubs, cafes and restaurants to satisfy all appetites.
Visit the East Dorset Information Centre for more details.
Dorset is a great place to live, work and visit. It is a county of natural beauty, dramatic coastlines and where dinosaurs once roamed.
Located on the south coast near to the New Forest National Park and the Isle of Wight, it benefits from some of the UK’s best weather with lots of glorious sunshine.
Dorset is home to the Jurassic Coast – England’s only natural World Heritage Site. Go fossil hunting on the beaches to find your own piece of pre-historic life or literally walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs!
Alongside the Jurassic Coast you’ll find the South West Coast Path which is the UK’s longest national trail at 630 miles. The Trail travels between Studland in Dorset and Minehead in north Somerset passing Devon and Cornwall along the way.
But it’s not all about the coast. Dorset has two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty covering over half the county, with much of the surrounding countryside being nature reserves, farmland or in the guardianship of the National Trust.
With quaint villages and market towns mixing among the bustling seaside resorts of Bournemouth, Weymouth, Swanage and Poole, there are lots of places to explore and discover in Dorset.
Why not pay a visit to Golden Cap which is the highest point on the south coast, Europe’s largest natural harbour at Poole or Wareham – one of the few remaining Saxon walled towns in England?
As stage seven of the Tour of Britain crosses the county from west to east, the riders will travel through Dorset’s county town of Dorchester, passing the incredible hillforts, Roman amphitheatre, Roman walls and museums within the town. The route continues past the iconic ruins of Corfe Castle and across the Isle of Purbeck to Wareham, Blandford Forum, Wimborne Minster, Verwood before reaching the finish line in Ferndown.
There’s no better way of watching the action at this year’s Tour of Britain than with our hospitality packages!
Secure a front-row seat at our stage starts and finishes, topped off with delicious food and drinks specifically chosen for cycling fans.
Fans can now book their hospitality passes for the West Bay start and Ferndown finish via Sportsbreaks.com, the official hospitality partner of the Tour of Britain.
Additionally, our expert team can build bespoke packages throughout the Tour to suit your needs. Contact Seb Roberts for more information.
