Putney Prepares to Host Boat Race This Saturday

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Thousands expected to descend on local pubs, bars and restaurants

The Boat Race begins at Putney

March 27, 2024

Thousands of rowing fans will be heading to Putney this Saturday to witness this year’s annual boat race between Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Men’s and women’s crews from the two historic rivals will race over the famous four-mile course between Putney and Mortlake.

This means Putney town centre and the high street will be expected to be very busy on Saturday, 30 March with its restaurants, pubs and bars expected to enjoy a roaring trade throughout the day.

Many of Putney’s shops and businesses, including its many independent outlets, will be offering visitors and residents special attractions, ranging from food and cocktails, to canapés and music.

Among the attractions will be a large ‘Urban Food Fest Market’ in St Mary’s Church Square, organised by ‘Positively Putney’ - the town centre’s Business Improvement District (BID) - between 11am and 7.30pm.

Between 12pm and 5pm, the 5th Putney Sea Scouts are offering , not only one of the best spots to watch the races, but a barbeque and a chance to win prizes in a raffle. Its scout hut, which is on the towpath near the starting point at Putney Embankment, gives a clear view of the action while sitting on a chair in the garden.

The women’s race is scheduled to begin at 2.46pm with the men’s following an hour later at 3.46pm.

The influx of thousands of spectators to Putney's famous riverside means that parking spaces on Putney Embankment have to be suspended.

Enforcement of the suspensions will commence at 7am on Saturday morning. Motorists who park cars there overnight on Friday will need to move them ahead of Saturday morning's deadline. Vehicles left in parking bays after this time are likely to be towed away.

Normal parking rules will be reinstated at approximately 8pm on Saturday evening once most spectators have departed.

Numerous signs notifying drivers of the changes have been placed along Putney Embankment.

Residential roads linking Putney Embankment with the Lower Richmond Road will also be closed to all traffic on Saturday apart from residents.

These roads may also be subject to some parking suspensions at junctions to allow emergency vehicles to access them without being obstructed. There will also be additional temporary parking restrictions on Saturday afternoon in the Lower Richmond Road.

The council will also be arranging a huge clear up operation after the race to remove any litter left behind – but appeals to all boat race fans to dispose of their waste properly, use the many street bins that are available and avoid dropping any litter.

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