Watching The Race

Enjoy the festival atmosphere of the Boat Race by watching for free from one of the many vantage points along the course. You should be able to find a place to watch on either side of the river along the full length of the course, but particular areas to note are: Putney Bridge, Putney Embankment and Bishops Park (at the start); Hammersmith and Barnes (mid-course); Dukes Meadows and Chiswick Bridge (at the finish).

This section of the site provides an overview of how to get to The Race and where to watch. Please don’t drive, public transport can take you close to many of the best places to watch along the length of the course.

There are Big Screens at Bishops Park, Fulham and Furnival Gardens, Hammersmith which mean you will be able to watch the whole race before and after the crews have passed.

For a really special Boat Race experience sign up to a Fulham FC Varsity Day package. See Boat Race Events for more information.

ITV1 will be showing the Boat Race live in the UK, including build up from 4.15pm, visit ITV1 for more information

Spectator Information

We have divided the course into three sections containing maps and notes about the sights and refreshment stops along the footpaths that line the course:

The Start: from Putney Bridge up to Fulham Football Club.

Round the Bend: follows the middle of the course, between Hammersmith Bridge and Chiswisk Reach.

The Finish: follows the remainder of the Course between Barnes Railway Bridge and Chiswick Bridge.

Walk the Course has detailed notes about walking the route of the race.

Cyclists

Cyclists are extremely welcome. Please keep to marked cycle ways. Cycling in crowded areas by the river is particularly discouraged.

Bus Users

For the Start in Putney, the number 14 bus from Tottenham Court Road and the 22 from Piccadilly Circus will both take you across Putney Bridge.

For the middle part of the Race at the Surrey Bend, the number 9 bus from Charing Cross or the 10 from Euston and Oxford Circus or the 27 from Camden will take you to Hammersmith - close to the riverside at Chiswick Malls.

For the Finish in Mortlake, take the 209 or 190 from Hammersmith. Bus routes are shown on all maps.

Train Users

For the Start in Putney, Putney railway station is on Putney High Street at the Upper Richmond Road. Trains arrive from Clapham Junction, Waterloo or Victoria.

West of Putney, the line divides at the next stop Barnes Station - just over a mile away - going towards Barnes Bridge where the finishing stretch begins, or towards Mortlake for the Finish.

Stations are shown in all maps. South West Trains stations are not wheelchair accessible.

London Underground users

For the Start, East Putney is south of the river and Putney Bridge is north - Putney Bridge is the closest station. Ravenscourt Park and Hammersmith are closest to the viewing areas at Chiswick Mall.

Stations are shown on all maps. Hammersmith station is accessible for wheelchairs but the Putney tube stations are not.

Local Residents

Visitors to the Race are asked to PLEASE CONSIDER LOCAL RESIDENTS at all times. We apologise to anyone inconvenienced by the event in any way and we thank you kindly for your forbearance.

Car Users

Please do not drive to the race if you have a choice. Parking is limited and for non-residents on the day of The Boat race it is extremely hard to find. You risk listening to the race on the car radio instead of seeing it from the riverbank! We apologise to local car users for any additional disruption.