Cyclists will visit Kent and Medway on day two of the race

For the first time, Folkestone racecourse is offering accommodation for up to 500 caravans and 60 tents.

Spokeswoman Emma Santer said it would be open from the 5 to 8 July with all the facilities on offer that would normally be open on a race day.

It is estimated the cycling race will bring a �16m boost to Kent and Medway.

Guest houses

The opening 8km prologue is in London but day two will see 200 riders travel out of London, passing through Dartford, Medway, Maidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Ashford, before finishing in Canterbury.

Hoteliers in the cathedral city have said they are already fully booked for the weekend of the race.

Hotel manager Stephen Gee said he even had guests travelling across from France.

Fran Warrington, head of tourism for Kent County Council, said some of the bigger hotels across Kent and Medway were also almost booked up.

"We're trying to spread the benefits around Kent to some of the smaller guest houses," she said.