Putney Boat Race: Where to Watch
Putney Boat Race: Where to Watch
On Sunday 26th March, Oxford and Cambridge University will face off in their annual Boat Race, and what better way to experience the excitement than by enjoying the race from one of London’s finest riverside pubs and restaurants?
Get a front-row view of the action while enjoying a sumptuous gastronomic feast and your favourite tipples.
Rick Stein Barnes is situated on the banks of the River Thames at the last half-mile of the race and will be offering a limited-edition Boat Race Celebration menu. This menu features three courses of Stein’s signature seafood dishes, including grilled scallops with Serrano ham and lobster risotto, accompanied by a glass of French sparkling wine.
White Hart Barnes is offering a four-course banquet in its picturesque Morley Room, priced at £90 per person, with a stunning private balcony view of the race. The Bull’s Head is offering a private Melrose Room with a canapé and fizz celebration, while The Duke’s Head is race-ready and open all day to welcome spectators with riverside views.
The Boathouse in Putney offers a first-class view of the starting point of the race, with a large deck terrace overlooking Putney Bridge, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a pint of Young’s and a cracking Sunday roast with all the trimmings.
Cross the river to Hammersmith and soak up the racing atmosphere at the historic Old Ship. You can see all the action on the river from the covered terrace with a front-row seat to cheer on your favorite team. When the rowing is done, you can kick back with a drool-worthy burger from the Burger Shack or enjoy a quintessentially British Sunday roast and refreshing pint, come rain or shine.
For some family-friendly fun, head to Fulham Fan Park, the ultimate spot to catch The Boat Race. Enjoy live BBC coverage on big screens, street food, English Sparkling Wine from Chapel Down, and Shepherd Neame beer. With covered areas, seating, toilets, and stands from official partners, Bishops Park is a Grade II listed park next to the Thames and the start of the race. Don’t miss one of the two fan parks in this stunning location.
Hammersmith Fan Park in Furnival Gardens also has all the live BBC coverage on the big screen. Satisfy your appetite with tasty street food and Shepherd Neame beer, the oldest brewer in Britain. Enjoy covered areas, seating, toilets, and stands from official partners to make the most of your experience.
There is also Boat Race Party in Church Square from noon to 7 pm! Enjoy live music by Riverside Radio and grab a drink from the stalls!
There are also a number of restaurants away from the jostle of the waterfront where you can retire for a meal and a drink; Yum-Sa near East Putney station opens at 12 noon serving delicious Thai brunch, lunch, tapas and dinner.
READ OUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PUTNEY!
The Lowdown
The Boat Race is a prestigious annual event that began in 1829, featuring crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. It spans 4.25 miles of the tidal Thames in West London between Putney and Mortlake and is one of the world’s oldest and most famous amateur sporting events. The Men’s Boat Race has been held since 1829 and the Women’s Boat Race since 1927. The event attracts over 250,000 spectators along the riverbanks and millions more watching on television. It is a highly anticipated event for scholar-athletes who combine academic excellence with physical prowess.
