Clacton spectator guide

There are excellent road and rail links, and Clacton is also easy to reach by sea and air.

If you’re coming by car there is plenty of parking, much of it free or low-cost in council-run car parks, with space to unload your bike racks too.

By train there are regular rail services to London Liverpool Street, or through to Ipswich and on to Norwich or Cambridge, with a change at Colchester.

If you’re planning a visit from Europe then Harwich International Port has twice-daily ferry services to the Hook of Holland, arriving right on the doorstep of the stage five route, while London Stansted airport is only 60 mile away.

There are also local bus services, and regular National Express coach services with daily services with connections to London, the Midlands and the North West.

Click here to visit the Essex Sunshine Coast travel page.

Whether you’re after traditional fish and chips enjoyed on the beach or a fine dining experience, we have it all. So choose from the many tasty kiosks and diners, or book a table at The Pier in Harwich, the Kingscliff in Holland-on-Sea, or one of the many other fabulous eateries.

While you’re in the area, you can experience much more on top of the cycling action.

There is traditional seaside fun, with the observation wheels, rides, adventure golf, bowling and more at both Clacton Pier and Clacton Pavilion, offering fun whatever the weather.

Heritage abounds in Tendring, so if history is your thing why not follow the Clacton 150 Heritage Trail as the town celebrates its 150^th birthday, or visit Historic Harwich before or after the race to discover the centuries-old port town, home of the Mayflower.

Culture isn’t in short supply either, with two theatres running shows on the night of Stage 5 – take your pick from comedic ventriloquist Paul Zerdin and his Hands Free tour at the Princes Theatre, or enjoy the sounds of the Swinging Sixties at the Westcliff Theatre with Twist and Shout.

Meanwhile the Harwich International Shanty Festival takes place from 8-10 October, an event not to be missed.

And of course there are plenty of walking and cycling routes for you to enjoy too should you want to make the most of the fantastic coastline and countryside Tendring has to offer.

To discover what’s on and find local facilities download the Love Tendring app to your smartphone – it’s free on both Apple and Android.

Stage five takes in a lot of the Tendring district, so there are plenty of other places to watch the action from if you don’t want to head to the finish.

Manningtree, Mistley and Lawford

England’s smallest town, Manningtree, with neighbouring villages of Mistley and Lawford, will together host an Eisberg sprint shortly followed by a ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains’ climb – promising plenty of race action for spectators.

A historic area, with Manningtree mentioned in Shakespeare’s Henry IV and home of Witch Finder General Matthew Hopkins, these small ports sit on the Stour estuary within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and home to much wildlife.

Easily accessible, with Manningtree on the mainline railway between London and Norwich and the start of the branch line to Harwich International Port, there are independent shops and cosy pubs to explore when not taking in the race. Or why not take a trip to Wrabness to see A House for Essex, also known as Julie’s House, a Living Architecture home designed by Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry.

Thorpe-le-Soken

The bustling village of Thorpe-le-Soken has a number of excellent pubs and restaurants for people to enjoy good food and drink in before and after the race passes through. Alternatively, if you’re looking to relax after the excitement of the peloton, why not try the Lifehouse Spa and Hotel and book yourself in for a wellbeing break and fine dining.

With regular trains from Colchester, and on to Clacton, train is the best way to visit as parking is limited.

Holland-on-Sea

Just up the coast – a short walk or cycle – from Clacton is Holland-on-Sea, with long sandy beaches and for cycling fans one of the Eisberg sprints on stage five.

There are plenty of places to stay and eat, including the Kingscliff Hotel sitting almost on top of the sprint finish line.

Elmstead Market

Villages along the route from Great Bromley to Clacton will see the action twice as the peloton loops round the stage five route.

Key places to watch include Thorrington, where riders will twice compete for Queen of the Mountains points up Tenpenny Hill, or Elmstead Market which is also home to the world-renowned Beth Chatto Gardens, complete with tea room.

If you’re looking to watch the race here then why not take a train to Alresford (which has the race passing through) or nearby Great Bentley and ride out to one of the pretty villages which characterise the route.

To find out more about things to see and do, places to stay, and other top tips to make the most of your visit, go to essex-sunshine-coast.org.ukorvisitessex.com

Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to visiting Tendring, with everything from friendly B&Bs, national chain hotels and independent boutique places, meaning you can stay in a place right for you.

So why not make a trip of it and come to watch stage five, stay the night, and then hop across the Essex border to watch stage five roll across neighbouring Suffolk – with the overall race ending in Felixstowe the following day, easily accessible from Harwich via the foot ferry (weather depending).

To find the right place for you visit the Essex Sunshine Coast accommodation page.