Make the Most of the Boat Races in Hammersmith & Fulham

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Some great vantage points to view Oxford against Cambridge

There will be big screens in Bishops Park and Furnivall Gardens. Picture: HF Council

March 30, 2026

The Boat Race returns to the Thames on Saturday 4 April, with the local riverside area once again at the heart of one of Britain’s most-watched sporting traditions. Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to line the river for the 80th Women’s Boat Race at 2.21pm and the 171st Men’s Boat Race an hour later, as Oxford and Cambridge renew their historic rivalry along the Championship Course.

Crowds are expected to be larger than normal due to the race taking place over the Easter weekend although, at the time of writing, the weather forecast is mixed which might reduce numbers by the Thames.

Hammersmith and Fulham host the longest stretch of the 4.25-mile route, giving spectators a choice of vantage points as the crews power from Putney to Mortlake. The borough’s two official fan zones—at Bishops Park in Fulham and Furnivall Gardens in Hammersmith—will open from 11am to 5pm, offering big screens, food stalls and live entertainment throughout the day.

You'll be able to track the races as they approach before seeing the crews live . Picture: HF Council

Fulham’s riverside will be one of the liveliest places to catch the start. The Fulham Fan Zone stretches across Fulham Pier and into Bishops Park, where visitors can pick up food and drink from Fulham Football Club’s riverside stand before joining the crowds along the riverbank. Channel 4’s live coverage will be shown on screens in the park, with seating and toilets available for families and visitors.

Hammersmith’s Furnivall Gardens provides a mid-race view as the crews approach Hammersmith Bridge, a point where momentum often shifts. The fan zone there will feature a giant screen and a strong line-up of local food traders, including Hide & Greek, YouBao, GameKeeper, Duck Shed and Brewed by Böön. The area’s riverside pubs are also preparing for one of their busiest days of the year, with The Dove, The Old Ship, The Blue Anchor, The Black Lion, The Crabtree, The Blue Boat and the Rutland Arms all offering front-row views of the action.

Visitors looking to explore the borough beyond the river can head to Fulham Palace, the historic home of the Bishops of London, just a short walk from Bishops Park.

Food and drink will be available in the two Fan Parks. Picture: HF Council

The Boat Race has been a fixture on the Thames since 1856, with only global crises interrupting its run. Cambridge currently lead both series, ahead 88–81 in the men’s standings and 49–30 in the women’s. The event has produced its share of famous competitors, from actor Hugh Laurie—who rowed for Cambridge in 1980—to Olympic champion James Cracknell, who made history in 2019 as the oldest competitor to take part when he joined the winning Cambridge crew at 46.

Hammersmith Bridge remains one of the most iconic landmarks on the course. Crews traditionally aim for the second lamppost from the left as they pass beneath it, steering into the fastest water before the long bend towards Chiswick Eyot. Statistics show that around 80 per cent of crews leading at the bridge go on to win.

For safety and crowd management, Hammersmith Bridge and Barnes Bridge will both be closed to pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooters from 10am to 5pm on race day.

Meanwhile, for more details about the boat races, including the history of the race and crew announcements, visit the official website.

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