Grab a pint and front-row seat as Oxford and Cambridge face off in London’s biggest annual rowing event.
On Saturday 4 April, the ordinarily quiet River Thames will come alive with the annual Boat Race. Starting at Putney Bridge and running westward to Mortlake, elite rowing teams from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge will battle it out over 4.25 miles.
You can catch a lot of the action live, and for free, from several vantage points along the river. Where you choose depends on whether you want to see the start, finish or crews in full flow somewhere along the way — and how willing you are to move between spots as the race progresses.
There are a few official fan zones, but some of the best views come from the riverbanks themselves — and a handful of conveniently located pubs provide the perfect spot to perch, observe and celebrate into the evening.
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Putney — south side of the river
Since the race begins in Putney, the morning of the event sees the crews prepare for the race in the boathouses along Putney Embankment. It’s also pedestrianised, so excited spectators can gather here to watch the crews arrive and even witness the legendary coin toss — the winner gets to decide which side of the river they race on — and see the rowers paddle out to the start.
Once the race is underway, move along the river, browsing the shops, cafes and bars along the way, or speed ahead to one of the other spots to catch the rest of the race.
Fulham Fan Zone — north side of the river
If the races are a family affair for you, the Fulham Fan Zone is probably one of the better options for viewing all the action. Split across Fulham Pier and Bishops Park, there are big screens streaming live TV coverage, along with seating, toilets and sheltered areas. Street food stalls are dotted throughout, and there’s even a little light entertainment in the form of live music and exhibitions to pass the time before and after the race.
Lyric Square, Hammersmith — north side of the river
Over Friday 3 April and Saturday 4 April, rows of deckchairs and a pop-up screen fill Hammersmith’s Lyric Square. A morning screening for children runs ahead of the main event, and nearby, Hammersmith Fan Zone provides additional viewing and food stalls, so you can nip between the two depending on the vibe you’re after.
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Chiswick Pier — north side of the river
For a view of the middle stretch, Chiswick Pier is the perfect place to see the crews passing in full rhythm, powering from Chiswick Eyot and past the pier towards Barnes Bridge. Get there approximately 10-11 minutes after the race starts for the best chance of catching the action.
Barnes — south side of the river
Amid one of London’s most picturesque ‘villages that isn’t actually a village’, the race nears its climax at Barnes Bridge. Here, there are roughly three minutes of racing left. For a clear view of the final stretch, find a spot on the bridge itself or one of the nearby riverside terraces.
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Mortlake — south side of the river
The race finishes just before Chiswick Bridge, in line with the official posts. Depending on where you’re coming from, you can access the river from either side along the paths, but expect it to be wet underfoot, so wear suitable footwear.
After crossing the finish line, the crews row under Chiswick Bridge and land on the Middlesex (north) side of the river right by The Ship pub, a natural gathering spot for post-race celebrations.
The best pubs with views of the Thames
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Duke’s Head, Putney
For a close-up view of the start, the Duke’s Head in Putney’s riverside seating offers the best vantage point for pre-race atmosphere and drama. From here, you can watch both crews prepare and push off, with drinks and pub snacks to hand, and even live music out of race hours.
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Old Ship, Hammersmith
For one of the longest uninterrupted views of the race, the Old Ship is the place to be. There’s plenty of space to perch — pint in hand — sit, stand or linger on the terrace as the crews race towards the finish line.
Sam’s Riverside, Hammersmith
Right beside Hammersmith Bridge, Sam’s Riverside restaurant and terrace offers great views of the race at around the halfway point. Watch the crews head towards Chiswick Pier with one of two specially created cocktails in hand, exclusively available on race day: The Oxford (gin, ginger liqueur, grenadine, citrus, aquafaba and soda) and The Cambridge (elderflower, honey, early grey syrup and citrus).
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White Hart, Barnes
For a good spot with a view of the finish line, arrive early at the White Hart in Barnes. Since it offers clear views of the final few minutes of the race, the pub’s riverside balcony soon fills up with enthusiastic supporters on the day of the race.
Feature image: Flickr/Steve Selwood
