The Tour de Yorkshire may not be whizzing through Huddersfield and Calderdale this year, but there's still some fantastic places to watch the riders.

Scenic spots across the county are just a car journey away, and Stage Two of this year's Tour includes race points less than an hour from Huddersfield.

From castles to market towns, bustling town centre sprints and scenic countryside, here are some of the places you can watch the Tour from.

Here's some of the best places to watch Stage Two of the Tour de Yorkshire this year:

STAGE TWO — Otley to Doncaster — Saturday April 30

Otley

Flickr/James Whitesmith
Flickr/James Whitesmith

One of the closest spots to Huddersfield the Tour is coming to, and the start of the route for stage two — it's also the home of current women's road World Champion Lizzie Armitstead. It's a scenic spot too — the River Wharfe runs through the heart of the town and if you enjoy hiking, Chevin Forest offers stunning views of Otley and beyond. Real ale fans will enjoy the Otley Ale Trail, featuring 18 pubs.

Barwick-in-Elmet

Barwick-in-Elmet
Barwick-in-Elmet

Barwick-in-Elmet is a pretty village seven miles east of Leeds City Centre, and dates back as far as 200-600BC. The village has its own landmark in the form of an 86ft wooden maypole, the centre of the Spring Bank Holiday maypole festival, and a Grade II listed church.

Pontefract

Pontefract
Pontefract

Pontefract Castle, liquorice, Pontefract Racecourse — there's more to this medieval market town than meet the eye. The riders may well be greeted by the smell of warm liquorice as they race through Pontefract, less than an hour's drive from Huddersfield. If you've got time, you can also visit Copley's Corn Maze, one of the largest in the country, at Copley's Farm in Pontefract Road.

Conisborough Castle

Conisborough Castle, Doncaster
Conisborough Castle, Doncaster

The Tour de Yorkshire riders will do a lap of Conisborough Castle, where King/Queen of the Mountain will also be one. Overlooking Conisborough in Doncaster, the late 12th century castle is dominated by its impressive keep. Visitors can go inside the keep to learn more about the world of the castle's first inhabitants, Lord Hameline and Lady Isabel de Warenne, with animated charcters projected onto the castle walls.

Doncaster

Doncaster High Street
Doncaster High Street

The second stage of this year's Tour will end with a sprint finish on South Parade, Doncaster, ending at the war memorial. Doncaster is set to be busy on Saturday as crowds come out to support the riders, so its worth bagging your town centre spot early. You can also enjoy the Doncaster Fan Zone at Town field, complete with live music, fairground rides and food and drink stalls.