Tour de France Fan Parks in Britain

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Londoners flocked to the 2013 Tour de France Fan Park to watch Chris Froome power his way to a famous victory in the 100th edition of the Tour de France.

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Tour de France Fan Parks in Britain

In 2014, the Fan Parks, presented by Nuffield Health, crank things up a notch with five events allowing the crowds to follow the English stages and the last days of the Tour, in a fantastic environment, soaking up the atmosphere of the Tour.

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The peloton will spend three days riding through England (July 5, 6 and 7), starting with a two-day visit to Yorkshire before heading to London, where its British adventure will come to a close down The Mall with Buckingham Palace as a backdrop. Fans who want to experience the atmosphere of the Tour will be able to do just that on the roadsides and the stage finishes, but also in five Fan Park venues dedicated to the race.

After the inaugural Canary Wharf Fan Park attracted 30,000 visitors last July, the concept has been extended to meet the enthusiastic demand of the British crowds. Londoners will have a choice of four Fan Parks: in Trafalgar Square, Green Park and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to cheer on Cavendish, Froome, Wiggins & co.

Visitors to Yorkshire will get the chance to prepare and follow the race, especially the opening stage, right next to the finish line in Harrogate. Canary Wharf will again host the closing party as the Tour nears its climax, with expectations high for a third successive British victory.

Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity and provider of wellbeing and hospital services, is the official partner of the Tour de France Fan Parks and will be taking part in the UK caravan procession.

Dr Andy Jones, Managing Director Wellbeing, Nuffield Health, is delighted with the partnership, “With the explosion of UK cycling, due to the successes of riders like Bradley Wiggins and Olympians Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton, this year’s Tour de France is a great opportunity to get the British public excited about an activity, that as well as being great fun, benefits your overall health.

As an organisation dedicated to wellbeing, the Fan Parks are a huge opportunity for us to engage with people about their health. We’ll be at the events encouraging people to stay fit and healthy in fun ways, including challenges, competitions, outdoor classes and health checks, as the more we can motivate people to take an active interest in their wellbeing, the better it is for the health of the nation.”

The Fan Parks are free and in addition to giant screens on which the British crowds will follow their favourite riders, they will provide an opportunity for the general public and cycling fans alike to relax and experience the world of the Grande Boucle. Exhibitions and activities about the Tour de France will take Fan Park visitors on a voyage shadowing the progress of the peloton.

Buying an official jersey, travelling back in time with pictures of the first editions of the Tour, or sampling a selection of French gastronomy, are all ways to embrace the Tour and feel its thrill. And if you’re feeling active on the day then you can join in with a Nuffield Health challenge or two, or speak to one of their many experts about training tips, nutritional advice or even the odd twinge, as they’ll have Physiotherapists on hand to advise!

UK Fan Parks programme
West Park Stray, Harrogate: July 3, 4, 5 and 6
Green Park, London: July 4 (evening), 5, 6 and 7
International Quarter, Olympic Park, London: July 5, 6, 7
Trafalgar Square, London: July 5, 6, 7
Canary Wharf, London: July 24, 25, 26 and 27

All Fan Park events are free to enter.

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