Please note: Further to the earlier statement in relation to the cancellation of stage six as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, the organisers of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain can additionally confirm that stages seven (Dorset) and eight (Isle of Wight) will not take place. Read the full statement here.
You can still ride the AJ Bell Tour of Britain and you can find the Stage 8 route route on Strava. Find them here. If you don’t fancy taking on the full 150km, we have smaller sections of the route for you to try out too!
The Island is a destination for all cycling fans and is full of places to enjoy a beer, pub grub, coffee or a slice of cake along the route.
Here we’ve lent on our local knowledge to suggest a number of the best pubs and cafes along the route that would make ideal pitstops and vantage points for spectators:
The Sun Inn, Hulverstone (49km)
This beautiful, thatched pub has a beer garden that looks south onto the English Channel. Whether you want a full pub meal or just a refreshing pint, this is a great stopover.
Chessell Pottery Café, Chessell (51km)
After sampling their beautiful range of homemade cakes or one of their light lunches. The garden is a fantastic place to sit on a warm summers day.
The Woodvale, Gurnard (75km)
A traditional pub with a garden overlooking the Solent.
The Blue Door Café, Newport High Street (95km)
A quirky café, positioned in the heart of St James Square, specialising in homecooked hearty café/bistro food, breakfasts and homemade cakes!
The Taverners, Godshill (105km)
A fantastic pub serving up some of the best locally sourced produce. Whether you want a light bite or a full sit down meal, The Taverners will cater to all.
Lady Scarlett’s Tea Parlour, Ventnor (116km)
Lady Scarlett's Tea Parlour is a quirky and fun recreation of a 1940s tea parlour, which serves up one of the best cream teas you will ever experience. The coffee and lunches are fantastic too.
The Wight Mouse, Chale (128km)
Another classic Isle of Wight pub, the Wight Mouse is a family friendly pub that does great food, drinks, and even offers rooms for those looking to stay overnight.
The Piano Café, Freshwater (145km)
The Piano Café is a superb venue for a light lunch or casual coffee stop. It serves up a range of beautiful homemade cakes, Island Roasted Coffee, and amazing light bites.
The National Trust Tea Rooms, The Needles (Finish)
There is only one café at the 'Ride the Route' finish line. The Needles Battery café is owned by the National Trust and has one of the most dramatic views imaginable – out over The Needles to the English Channel beyond.
Finally, here’s some of our top pit stops off the cycling route:
Head to the Pedallers Café (Newchurch), The Garlic Farm (Newchurch) or Off The Rails (Yarmouth) to enjoy a selection of home made cakes, pastries and fresh food, using Island produce, in some of our favourite off the beaten track locations.