Skegness Sand Art to Promote Tour of Britain

Key Points

• Artists will be making a large Tour of Britain sand drawing on Skegness seafront.
• The temporary sand poster will be about 48 metres x 40 metres.
• On the afternoon of Thursday 20 August 2026, Sand in Your Eye will start work.
• The artwork will help to market Skegness as the destination for stage two of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men 2026.
• The second stage begins in Boston on Thursday, 3 September and ends in Skegness.
• The 180.2 kilometre track will link to the coast via some Lincolnshire communities.
• There will be street entertainment at Tower Gardens from 11:00 to 16:00 BST, courtesy of Yellow Bus Events.
• Street circus, musical artists, and the motorised piano and Swank Street Theatre artists will be part of the programme.
• Steve Kirk of East Lindsey Council said the project would raise awareness and expectations and showcase the connection with the coast.
• Lincolnshire is to host the first two stages of the 2026 Tour of Britain for men.
• The first stage begins and ends in Lincoln, covering 182.5 kilometres of the ride on Wednesday 2 September.
• The race is anticipated to bring together participants, teams and spectators from all over the country.

Skegness (Britain Today News) August 15, 2026 — Artists will create a huge sand drawing on Skegness beach as part of the build-up to the Tour of Britain’s arrival in Lincolnshire next month. The temporary artwork, designed as a Tour of Britain poster, will measure approximately 48 metres by 40 metres, or 157 feet by 131 feet, on the resort’s seafront.

The event is intended to promote Skegness’s role as the finishing location for stage two of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men 2026. The second stage will begin in Boston on Thursday, 3 September, before covering 180.2 kilometres across Lincolnshire and concluding in Skegness.

According to BBC News’ report,

“Sand art on seafront to promote cycle tour”.

the artwork will be created by Sand in Your Eye, which is scheduled to begin work during the afternoon of Thursday, 20 August, continuing into the evening. The project will form part of a wider promotional programme designed to create public interest before the professional cycle race reaches the county.

What will the Skegness sand artwork show?

The planned artwork will be a large-scale Tour of Britain poster drawn directly into the sand on the Skegness seafront. Measuring around 48 metres wide and 40 metres long, the design will be large enough to be visible across a substantial section of the beach.

The use of sand gives the promotional display a distinctly coastal character. Rather than installing a permanent structure, organisers will use the beach itself as the canvas, linking the identity of the seaside resort with its role in the national cycling event.

The artwork is also expected to provide a visual focal point for residents and visitors in the days leading up to the race. Its size will allow the Tour of Britain branding to be displayed prominently while reinforcing the connection between Skegness and stage two of the competition.

The design will be produced by Sand in Your Eye, an artistic group known for creating large sand drawings and temporary beach-based installations. Work is expected to start on the afternoon of 20 August and continue into the evening, allowing members of the public to see the piece taking shape.

When will artists create the sand poster?

Sand in Your Eye will begin creating the sand poster on Thursday afternoon, 20 August 2026. The artists will continue working into the evening as they complete the large drawing on the beach.

The timing places the event roughly two weeks before stage two of the Tour of Britain reaches Lincolnshire. It will therefore act as an early public introduction to the race and its route through the county.

The organisers have not indicated how long the drawing will remain visible. As a sand artwork, its condition will naturally depend on factors including tides, wind, rainfall and public activity on the beach.

Despite its temporary nature, the display is designed to attract attention and encourage visitors to associate Skegness with the forthcoming race. It will also provide an opportunity for people to learn more about the event before the peloton arrives.

What entertainment is planned at Tower Gardens?

The sand artwork will be accompanied by a separate programme of entertainment at nearby Tower Gardens. Yellow Bus Events will perform between 11:00 and 16:00 BST as part of the promotional activity.

East Lindsey Council said the entertainment programme would include street circus performances, walkaround musical acts and a motorised piano. Performers from Swank Street Theatre will also take part.

The mix of acts is intended to make the promotion more than a static display. Visitors will be able to watch the artwork being created on the beach while also attending live performances in the gardens.

The planned activities are suitable for a broad audience, including families, residents and tourists visiting Skegness. They are also expected to contribute to the atmosphere surrounding the Tour of Britain and encourage people to engage with the event before race day.

What did Steve Kirk say about the project?

Steve Kirk of East Lindsey Council said the sand drawing would help build anticipation for the race and showcase the distinctive nature of the coast.

Kirk said the artwork would create

“a real sense of anticipation and demonstrate the unique character of our coast”.

according to the BBC News report.

He also said Skegness was looking forward to welcoming riders, teams and spectators from across the country. His comments linked the promotional event with the wider opportunity presented by the race, particularly the chance to place the coastal resort before a national audience.

The project reflects the council’s interest in using the Tour of Britain to promote Skegness as both a tourism destination and a sporting venue. The sand drawing and street entertainment are intended to give the public an accessible introduction to the event.

When will the Tour of Britain reach Lincolnshire?

Lincolnshire will host the opening two stages of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men 2026 on Wednesday, 2 September, and Thursday, 3 September.

Lincolnshire County Council said the county would host the first two stages of the five-day race. Stage one will start and finish in Lincoln on Wednesday, 2 September, while stage two will begin in Boston and finish in Skegness the following day.

The opening stage will cover 182.5 kilometres, equivalent to approximately 113 miles, on a route north of Lincoln before returning to the cathedral city.

The second stage will cover 180.2 kilometres, or approximately 112 miles. It will take riders across Lincolnshire before the finishing run into Skegness.

The county’s hosting role means that Lincoln, Boston and Skegness will all feature prominently in the opening part of the race. It also allows spectators in different parts of Lincolnshire to see the event up close.

What is the route from Boston to Skegness?

Stage two will begin in Boston before travelling across the surrounding Lincolnshire countryside towards the east coast. The route will finish in Skegness after several hours of racing.

BBC reporting on the full 2026 stage details said the peloton would pass through or near Coningsby, Woodhall Spa, Horncastle and Wragby. The route would then intersect with part of stage one before entering the Lincolnshire Wolds and continuing towards Louth, Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea.

The final section will take the riders towards Skegness for a coastal finish. The stage is expected to provide opportunities for roadside spectators throughout the county, with towns and villages along the route able to experience the race.

The course will combine inland roads, market towns, countryside and coastal locations. That variety is likely to give stage two a strong visual identity while allowing the race to showcase different parts of Lincolnshire.

The route’s largely open character will also create the possibility of a fast finish. However, professional racing conditions, weather, tactics and the pace of the peloton will determine how the stage develops.

Why is the race significant for Skegness?

The Tour of Britain will give Skegness a high-profile role in the 2026 race. The resort will host the finish of stage two, bringing professional riders and their teams to the coast after the long journey from Boston.

Lincolnshire County Council said neither Boston nor Skegness had previously hosted a modern-day Lloyds Tour of Britain race. However, Skegness has a history of hosting the Milk Race, and last staged a finish in 1991.

The 2026 event will therefore combine a new modern-day hosting opportunity with an earlier tradition of cycle racing in the resort.

A major sporting event can also support local businesses by bringing additional visitors to accommodation providers, restaurants, pubs, shops and attractions. Lincolnshire County Council said research by British Cycling and GSIQ found that the 2025 Lloyds Tours of Britain generated a cumulative economic impact of £62.3 million for the local areas hosting the ten stages.

The council’s statement did not provide a separate economic forecast for Skegness. Nevertheless, the sand artwork and entertainment programme are designed to build awareness and encourage public participation around the race.

What did British Cycling say about the event?

Jonathan Day, director of events for British Cycling Ventures, welcomed the decision to bring the race to Lincoln, Boston and Skegness.

In comments reported by Lincolnshire County Council, Day said:

“We are delighted to be bringing the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men to these fantastic locations later this year.”

He described the inclusion of Lincoln, Boston and Skegness as the introduction of new hosts and stages.

Day added that taking the race to Lincoln for the first time would be significant because of the city’s strong association with cycling. He said the route would then travel up the east coast through North Yorkshire before reaching the Scottish Borders in Earlston.

He also thanked partners involved in organising the five stages and said the race would bring “another memorable and action-packed five days of world-class racing” to communities along the route. According to Day, the event would help spread interest in cycling and encourage more people to live active and healthier lives.

What benefits could the event bring to Lincolnshire?

Cllr Natalie Oliver, executive member for children’s services and culture at Lincolnshire County Council, said the race would benefit the county’s sporting profile, young people and local economy.

Oliver said:

“It’s incredibly exciting to be welcoming the Tour of Britain to Lincolnshire this year.”

She noted that Lincoln already hosts the annual Lincoln Grand Prix and said the arrival of the Tour of Britain would strengthen the county’s reputation as a destination for cycling.

She also said seeing elite athletes could inspire children and young people to become involved in cycling and adopt more active lifestyles.

On the economic impact, Oliver said the event would provide a boost for hotels, restaurants, pubs and shops. She said the race would attract visitors, present Lincolnshire to a national and international audience, and support local businesses and communities.

Oliver said the county looked forward to giving riders and spectators a warm Lincolnshire welcome, while encouraging visitors to return in the future.

Which other locations will host the 2026 race?

The 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men will be staged across five stages. Following the opening two stages in Lincolnshire, the race will continue through East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and the Scottish Borders.

The official stage list published by Lincolnshire County Council is:

• Stage one: Lincoln to Lincoln.
• Stage two: Boston to Skegness.
• Stage three: Hull to Beverley.
• Stage four: Helmsley to Leyburn.
• Stage five: Earlston to Earlston.

The race will begin in Lincolnshire before moving north along the eastern side of England. The final stage will take place in Earlston, where the event will conclude in the Scottish Borders.

Lincolnshire County Council said the 2026 edition would include new host locations as well as areas that had hosted the event or similar races previously. The council also said more detailed route information would be released in stages.

The host locations for the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women were expected to be announced separately, according to the council’s published information.

How can spectators follow the event?

The sand-art launch will offer spectators an opportunity to engage with the Tour of Britain before the race itself. Visitors can watch the artists work on the seafront on 20 August and attend the entertainment programme at Tower Gardens between 11:00 and 16:00 BST.

On race days, spectators will be able to watch the peloton along the roads connecting the stage towns and villages. The most appropriate viewing point will depend on the final traffic management arrangements, route access and any official road-closure information.

Lincolnshire County Council said its dedicated Tour of Britain information would include route maps, road closures, travel advice, spectator guidance and event updates.

Residents and visitors should check official information before travelling, particularly if they plan to reach Skegness for the finish or follow the race from Boston across the county.

The council also invited people to register their interest in volunteering at the event. Volunteers could support the organisation and delivery of what is described as one of the UK’s biggest free-to-watch sporting events.
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Why has Skegness chosen sand art?

The choice of sand art reflects Skegness’s identity as a seaside destination. The beach provides a natural, open setting for a temporary promotional display, while the artwork can be created without installing a permanent structure.

The scale of the design is intended to make the Tour of Britain visible on the seafront. It also connects the race with the physical landscape that will greet riders at the end of stage two.

The artwork will not replace the sporting event but will act as a preview of it. By combining the sand poster with live entertainment, organisers are creating a public-facing programme that can appeal to people who may not regularly follow professional cycling.

The display also gives residents and tourists a chance to participate in the build-up before the teams arrive. It will provide a visual reminder that Skegness is not only a spectator destination but also the official finishing point for one of the opening stages.

What happens after the Skegness finish?

After stage two concludes in Skegness, the Tour of Britain will continue with stage three from Hull to Beverley. The race will then move to North Yorkshire for stage four, travelling from Helmsley to Leyburn.

The final stage will take place in the Scottish Borders, beginning and ending in Earlston. This will complete the five-stage 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men.

For Lincolnshire, the main focus will be the opening two days, when Lincoln, Boston and Skegness host the race. The sand drawing on Skegness beach will provide the first major public celebration ahead of the stage-two finish.

The combination of cycling, live performance and coastal artwork is intended to create a festival atmosphere around the event while showcasing the county’s towns, countryside and seaside communities.