Get It Right... The Boat Race
The only time we would recommend watching two teams of eight grown men dipping their cox into the Thames, the University Boat race, has become a must on the guy's social calendar. Set on a 4 mile long course and watched by over a quarter of a million people bankside, it makes for a great day out. Here's Base London's guide to getting it right at...The Boat Race.
Race History
The first university Boat race was in 1829 and has been on the Putney course since 1845. The race has always pitched the two universities of Oxford and Cambridge, in a coxed eight set up. There have been 6 sinkings over the years and the race attracts a world wide TV audience of 120 million. The race starts at Putney Bridge and ends at Chiswick Bridge.
Getting There
On the Tube: 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.
On the Train: 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.
So with a 4 mile course, banks packed with people, it's important to know where the main watering holes are. Here's our suggestion of the best pubs to frequent, but be warned, it's going to be busy.
