Getting to the Start
Trains from Waterloo, Vauxhall or Clapham Junction go to Putney station.
The London Underground District Line runs to Putney Bridge and East Putney
Stations. Alternatively the 14 or 22 bus from Central London to Putney
Bridge is available.
Where to view
The race starts on the West side of Putney Bridge and the best views are
from the bridge itself, Putney Embankment, or the tow path in front of
Bishops Park on the Fulham side of the river.
A giant TV screen, courtesy of race sponsors Xchanging and race
organisers The Boat Race Ltd, will be in Bishops Park accompanied by a
marquee supplied by Sharp’s - the official beer supplier of the Boat
Race - selling Doom Bar, wine and soft drinks, alongside various food
stalls.
The heart of the action takes place on Putney Embankment where the crews
embark, Cambridge from Kings College School Boat Club and Oxford from
Westminster School Boat Club. Here the official toss of the gold sovereign
takes place - a tradition which determines which side of the river each
crew will row on.
Pubs at the start
- The Temperance
- The Star & Garter
- The Dukes Head
More information on the pubs at The Start in Places
to Eat & Drink
Two or Four Mile Walks
From the railway station, tube station or bus stop at the Start, choose the
the North (Middlesex) or South (Surrey) side of the river.
On the south side, follow the footpath to the University stone (the Start)
and onwards to the Mile Post (that’s a mile walk from the Start).
Then either turn back to the Start for some lunch (another mile back -
total about two miles), or keep going and cross Hammersmith Bridge for
refreshments and viewing places on the north (Middlesex) side of the famous
Surrey Bend. That is another mile walk and you’ll have to walk back
to Putney Bridge (total nearly four miles) if Hammersmith buses and tubes
cannot get you home.
On the north bank - you might walk along Bishop’s Park and behind
Fulham football ground to the Crabtree pub where there is a good view of
the boats passing the mile post. Then, as on the south bank, you would have
the option of striking out for Hammersmith and the bend, or returning to
the Start area.
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