A trophy marking the arrival of the Tour de France in Westmorland and Furness will go on display at Westmorland County Show near Kendal next week.
The Grand Départ Trophy will be at the showground at Lane Farm, Crooklands, on 9 and 10 September 2026. The appearance forms part of a planned Trophy Tour designed to raise awareness of the 2027 Tour de France and build excitement ahead of the race coming to the area.
Visitors will be able to see the trophy on a special stand on both days of the show, alongside information about the event and the route planned through Westmorland and Furness.
Tour de France route through the area
Stage Two of the men’s 2027 Tour de France will start in Keswick on Saturday, 3 July 2027. Riders are expected to travel through some of the area’s most well-known scenery, passing Thirlmere, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Windermere.
The route will then head through the Lyth Valley, Milnthorpe and Beetham before continuing into Lancashire and on to the stage finish in Liverpool.
The Grand Départ Trophy is being presented to the host of the next Tour de France Grand Départ. Its appearance at the county show is part of a wider programme taking the trophy to areas that will be visited by next year’s race.
The Tour de France is described by the council as the world’s biggest annual sporting event. It attracts between 10 million and 12 million live spectators each year, is broadcast on television in more than 180 countries and has a television viewership of 150 million in Europe alone.
Plans for the 2027 event
Westmorland and Furness Council is working with the race organisers as one of the host authorities for next year’s Grand Départ. Its work will include highways arrangements intended to support the safe and successful delivery of the event.
The council also says it will work with race organisers, Cumbria Combined Authority, Cumbria Tourism and local communities. The partners are aiming to support community participation and maximise the social, economic, community and legacy benefits of the race for the area.
Councillor Helen Chaffey, the council’s Cabinet member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications, said the event would showcase the area to television audiences around the world and to visitors attending in person. She also said the Trophy Tour would give people the chance to learn more about the event and see the trophy at the county show.
John Barradell, chair of Cumbria Combined Authority, said the race could give young people across Cumbria the chance to see world-class athletes competing locally. He said partners wanted to encourage more people to be active, create opportunities for communities and businesses, and build a lasting legacy.
Rachel Bell, Cumbria Tourism’s Tour de France Project Manager, said the race could strengthen Cumbria’s identity as a cycling destination while showcasing its culture and communities. She said the trophy visit would help businesses, communities and visitors make the most of the event.
What to expect at Westmorland County Show
Westmorland County Show will take place at the society’s showground at Lane Farm, Crooklands, near Kendal. The event attracts more than 30,000 visitors and showcases agriculture and livestock.
It also features one of the largest locally produced food halls in the North West, a Women’s Institute marquee, rural crafts, a Forestry Arena and more than 400 trade stands.
The trophy will be available to view during both days of the show. Further information about the Tour de France Grand Départ is available from Westmorland and Furness Council, while race information is available at letourgb.com.