BARNSLEY STAGE INFORMATION

Barnsley will be the perfect place to experience the Tour of Britain as the route shows off our impressive local heritage and stunning landscape.  

The Barnsley leg of the route travels 58km (36 miles) through many of our villages and past major visitor attractions such as Cannon Hall Farm, Cannon Hall Museum, Wentworth Castle Gardens and Locke Park. 

Elite riders will race into Barnsley at Thurnscoe before heading towards Great Houghton, Grimethorpe, Cudworth and Royston, where they turn west and head through Staincross, Darton and Kexborough.

After crossing the M1, the route becomes more rural, with sweeping landscapes awaiting the racers on the way to Penistone. They will pedal back towards the town centre via Stainborough – passing the spectacular Wentworth Castle – and dig deep to conquer the steep Hound Hill Road, before turning past Locke Park and sprinting for the town centre.

The cyclists are due to enter Barnsley at about 1.30pm and will finish in Barnsley town centre on County Way at approximately 3pm, however these race times are subject to change.  

Why not make a day of it by exploring one of our bustling, welcoming high streets and village centres alongside enjoying the atmosphere of one of Britain’s biggest sporting spectacles? 

Find out more details about the route and the race.

GET INVOLVED

Opportunities to watch the race 

The cyclists are due to enter Barnsley at about 1.30pm and will finish in Barnsley town centre on County Way at approximately 3pm. You can find out more information and view the full route map at on the British Cycling website. 

Barnsley’s Fan Zone

Hosted at County Way car park, the Fan Zone will be open from 11am to 5pm with a big screen showing ITV4's coverage of the entire leg as well as plenty of stalls and activities providing entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Stall holders include Alé, a cycling clothing company and the official jersey suppliers for the race, JE James Cycles and Barnsley College amongst others, while local entertainers will be on hand delivering live performances throughout the day's proceedings.

Many council services, including the Employment and Skills, Fostering, Adoption and Libraries teams, will be there along with the How's Thi' Ticker team, who are offering free blood pressure tests.

Food and drink offerings will feature the Pro Pig Hog Roast, which also has vegan and vegetarian alternatives; the Argentinian steak restaurant Gaucho and Kettle Chips. Our wonderful town centre is also just a short walk away and offers an array of options which cater for all dietary requirements.

Secure bike parking is available for those who want to come along on their own two wheels, with free bike safety checks available from British Cycling partner Shimano.

Meanwhile, Barnsley Council's Sport and Physical Activity team are hosting a RampUP session, where children and young people can ride around the RampUP Zone on bikes, scooters or skateboards, and you can also get involved in Everybody's Cycling Pedal-Powered Arcade too.

Ride along with the race

Join a Breeze Ride and cycle a challenging 27 miles chasing the Tour of Britain Barnsley leg! Following the Trans Pennine Trail and other cycling trails, the route will hop between a few of the race locations.

Activity pack and art competition 

Our activity pack is full of facts about the race. It also has an art competition for children and young people, and give you ideas for how to decorate your local community. Get creative and help us put Barnsley on the map. 

Get involved in cycling this summer 

You can find more information about how to get involved with cycling at barnsley.gov.uk/Cycling  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where will the race go? 

The race will pass through our towns and local centres before finishing in the town centre. Find out more about the British Cycling Tour of Britain route here.

What roads will be closed? 

Parked cars will need to be moved from the route prior to and during the race.

We expect the event to reach the below areas at around these times. Roads will be closed up to half an hour before this time and reopened as soon as possible after the race.

Thurnscoe - 1.33pm
Middlecliffe - 1.38pm
Grimethorpe – 1.48pm
Carlton - 1.55pm
Royston - 1.57pm
Staincross - 2.02pm
Mapplewell - 2.03pm
Darton - 2.05pm
Kexbrough - 2.06pm
High Hoyland - 2.11pm
Cawthorne - 2.16pm
Penistone - 2.25pm
Oxspring - 2.33pm
Thurgoland - 2.35pm
Hood Green - 2.42pm
Stainborough - 2.45pm
Kingstone - 2.50pm
Barnsley Centre - 2.54pm

How will a rolling road closure work? 

A rolling road closure will mean the race route will be closed up to an hour before the race passes. The roads will remain closed until as soon it is safe to reopen them after the riders go past. Traffic may be held at junctions for up to 30 minutes and there will be no diversion route. Please plan your journey carefully on the day. 

Will I need to move my car if I live on the route? 

Yes. Before the race arrives, you will need to move your car until after the race has finished. No on-street parking will be allowed on the race route. We will be informing residents with advanced warning signage, letter and window screen drops. We’d like to ask all residents living on the route to park legally and courteously off the route.  

Where can I park my car? 

During the race, County Way will be closed from Tuesday 3 September evening. It will reopen as soon as possible after the race ends. No on-street parking will be allowed on Eastgate and Regent Street, and the wider race route.

You can use any other of our car parks and on-street parking across the borough. Find out more on the council's parking page. 

Car parking and on street parking restrictions 

You won’t be able to access the Upper and Lower Seam (County Way car parks) from the evening of Tuesday 3 September, until the evening of the Thursday 5 September. 

You will not be able to use the on-street parking bays on Regent Street and Eastgate from 6pm on Wednesday 4 September. We’ll reopen them as soon as possible on Thursday 5 September, after the race has finished. 

If you have access to a private parking facility which will be affected by the event, you must review alternative arrangements for parking on Thursday 5 September. 

What if I have an appointment? 

If you have an appointment on the day of the race, please make sure you set off early enough, before the road closures come into effect. 

If you have an appointment that is situated on the route, please contact the place you are attending to make sure your appointment is still going ahead or whether it needs to be re-arranged. Street access will only be given in emergencies.  

Will public transport be affected? 

Roads on and connected to the route will be affected throughout the day on Thursday 5 September as the race speeds through South Yorkshire, and some bus services will be diverted or suspended according to road closures. Full information about affected bus services is available at travelsouthyorkshire.com/tob2024.

Journeys may take longer than usual, and you're encouraged to plan ahead and check before you travel. 

Will it affect school finish times? 

Please speak to your school for more information on how they are affected. 

What benefits will hosting the Tour of Britain bring? 

The Tour of Britain is more than just a race; it is an opportunity to inspire a healthier, more active, and sustainable community, while boosting our local economy. This prestigious event allows Barnsley to shine on a global stage. It’s an opportunity to tell our story, showcase our rich industrial heritage, cultural landmarks, and the warm, welcoming nature of our people. 

The event promises to be memorable and exciting to watch, whether you choose to come into town or pick a spot along the route, and whether you’re visiting Barnsley to make a weekend of it or just popping out of work for an hour to cheer on the riders.   

Who should I contact if I need more information?

Please email tob2024@barnsley.gov.uk.

INFORMATION FOR BUSINESSES

Please read the FAQs above, for some information about car park and on-street parking closures on Tuesday 3 to Thursday 5 September. 

More information will be released soon on any impacts on businesses on the route.

ON YOUR BIKE! GET INVOLVED IN CYCLING IN BARNSLEY

BARNSLEY BIKE WORKS

Barnsley Bike Works is our rebranded and improved Active Travel Hub offer.  
Currently operating a mobile hub which is taking the service around our communities, a physical hub will be situated in Barnsley Interchange and is currently undergoing refurbishment work.  
Barnsley Bike Works will offer a range of services, including free bike checks, a bike donation and recycle scheme, fix it classes and much more. 
Find out more on our Barnsley Bike Works website.  

GETTING OUT ON YOUR BIKE

As well as being an enjoyable activity, cycling is also one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your daily routine. It’s also a great form of transport.  
Cycling is a low-impact exercise so it’s easier on your joints than running or other high-impact aerobic activities. It can help you to get, and stay, in shape. 
Whether you're a keen cyclist looking for a cycle club, looking to get to work or school, or would simply like to learn to ride a bike for fun, Barnsley has a range of cycle services to help. 

FIND ROUTES IN AND AROUND BARNSLEY

Barnsley has many cycle lanes and routes designed to allow cyclists to travel safely while encouraging more people to make their journey by bike.  
You can find national and regional cycle routes on the national cycle network map on our website. 

LEARN TO RIDE

We have cycling training courses available to both children and adults to learn to ride a bike. It’s never too late!  
The training programme will give you the skills and confidence to ride safely, especially on roads.  
Find out more on our Learn to Ride webpage.

HIRE A BIKE

Don’t have a bike or want to give it a go before taking the plunge and buying one? No problem! Barnsley Bike Works allows you to borrow from their fleet of e-bikes for a month, providing the bike, a helmet, a pannier bag and a lock. 

CYCLING HERITAGE

Cycling has deep roots in Barnsley with a history stretching back more than a century. The town has a passionate cycling community, supported by numerous local clubs and events that celebrate the sport year-round.  
Hosting the Tour of Britain here is a testament to our commitment to promoting cycling at all levels, from grassroots to elite. It's an opportunity for our residents to see their cycling heroes up close and be inspired to take up the sport themselves. The Tour of Britain is more than just a race; it is an opportunity to inspire a healthier, more active, and sustainable community while boosting our local economy. 
This prestigious event allows Barnsley to shine on a global stage. It’s an opportunity to tell our story, showcase our rich industrial heritage, cultural landmarks, and the warm, welcoming nature of our people.

The event promises to be memorable and exciting to watch, whether you choose to come into town or pick a spot along the route, and whether you’re visiting Barnsley to make a weekend of it or just popping out of work for an hour to cheer on the riders.  
Let's come together to celebrate this momentous event in Barnsley, the place of possibilities, and create a lasting legacy for future generations. 

BRITISH CYCLING

The Tour of Britain is organised by British Cycling. It’s a multi-stage cycling race, on British roads, in which cyclists race across Great Britain to complete the race in the fastest time. The event dates back to the first British stage races held just after the Second World War. 
This year’s men’s race for Tour of Britain is being held on Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 September 2024.  

SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY (SYMCA)

Active Travel which means walking or cycling to get about, is a priority area for SYMCA. In February 2023, triple Olympic cycling champion Ed Clancy OBE was appointed as South Yorkshire's new Active Travel Commissioner. 

Find out more about SYMCA and Active Travel on their website. 

VISITING BARNSLEY

BARNSLEY IS A HIDDEN GEM IN YORKSHIRE!

A reinvented historic market town, with rolling countryside, free award-winning galleries and museums, and the most friendly of welcomes.
Described as the “the blueprint for the regeneration of town centres” by The Yorkshire Post, you’ll be amazed by our flagship Glass Works development. It features a relaxing public square, the famous Barnsley Markets, a tantalising food hall with rooftop bar at Market Kitchen, a 13-screen Cineworld, Superbowl UK, shopping, dining and entertainment. 
Outside the town centre, you can discover Grade I-listed landscapes, a 100+ year old cinema, a 17th century working water mill, reservoirs, nature reserves and wetlands, miles of Trans Pennine Trails, a medieval priory, and coal, glass and iron heritage.  

WHERE TO STAY

Want to make a trip to Barnsley for the Tour of Britain stage? We’ve got lots of convenient, comfortable places to lay your head after an exciting day of cycling! Head to our Places To Stay page to discover venues across the borough. 

HOW TO GET HERE

Whether you're driving, taking the bus, or catching the train, getting here is easy. Barnsley is where you can celebrate, experience, and enjoy some of the best that Yorkshire has to offer.  
Barnsley is located halfway between Sheffield and Leeds, making it accessible from different directions. Find out more on our Getting Here page. 

WHERE TO EAT AND VISIT

Once you’ve revelled in the cycling exhilaration, there’s so much more to discover in Barnsley! If you’re staying over and enjoying a few days in Barnsley, we’ve got loads of food, drink, culture, shopping and independents to explore.   
Whether in a family group, with your partner, or travelling solo, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes.   
For the foodies, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations of food and drink favourites. For the culture vultures, families, or those just looking for rest and relaxation, get inspired with our pre-made itineraries.