The Boat Race comes to Putney’s doorstep every year, and most people watch the boats go past. Here is how to get more out of the day: the traditions worth knowing, the moments worth being there for, and where to position yourself once the racing starts.
Don’t miss the walk-outs and the coin toss
The crews walk out through the crowds to the water before the coin toss, and this is one of the great Embankment moments. Both Cambridge blue boats (men’s and women’s) will walk out from Thames Rowing Club on the Embankment, Oxford from the London Rowing Club, with a rush of energy as the crews appear.
Get to the boathouse frontage by 11:45 for the women’s coin toss at 12:15. The two captains choose which station (the Middlesex side or the Surrey side) they will race on. It sounds like a formality. It isn’t. The choice of station, given the bends in the river, can decide the outcome before a stroke is pulled.
Morning: the Boat Trail and Church Square
If you have time before the coin toss, the Easter Boat Trail is already running. Twelve schools have painted and decorated model boats, displayed in shop windows and local businesses across Putney; the trail runs until 14 April and is free to follow.
From 11:00, the Fan Zone at Church Square opens with an Easter Bonnet Parade, live music, Riverside Radio broadcasting, and street food. It is a good option if you want the festival atmosphere rather than a riverside standing spot. The full Easter weekend transport picture, including the bridge and train closures, is in our earlier guide.
After the coin toss: food, then position
The pubs are open, street food is in Church Square, and clubs along the riverside often set up informal food and drink on the bank. Get something to eat, then decide how you want to watch.
If you want to see the boats on the water, walk anywhere along the Thames Path on the Putney side. The area directly in front of the boathouses will be packed. Further downstream on the Putney bank, there is usually more room and you will still see the crews pass. The Women’s Blue Boat races at 14:21. The Men’s Blue Boat races at 15:21. The gap between them gives you time to reposition. Our course guide explains what you will see and when at each point along the route.
If you would rather watch on a screen, any of the Putney pubs will be showing the race on Channel 4 from 13:30. For radio coverage, Times Radio is broadcasting the build-up, race and reaction live from 1pm. Available free on the Times Radio app and website.
The Half Moon, freshly redesigned and reopened, is worth a look. The full pub guide is at putney.news/boat-race-putney.
The reserve races (Women’s Reserves at 14:36, Men’s Reserves at 14:51) are live-streamed on The Boat Race YouTube channel from around 14:00. Channel 4 highlights will be on the same channel by noon on Sunday 6 April, useful if you are watching from home or want to catch something you missed.
Road closures
Putney Embankment is closed to vehicles from 09:00 to 18:00 on Saturday.
Friday too
If you want a quieter, closer experience with the crews, heading down to the river today, Friday 3 April to watch the Lightweight and Veterans Boat Races is worth the trip. Fewer crowds, better access, and you get near to the boats in a way that Saturday simply does not allow.
Questions about the day? Email us at hello@putney.news. Our thanks to Emily Insanally, former Cambridge cox of the Lightweight Women’s race (2020) for her insights.
