Parking for The Boat Race in Putney

The Boat Race Returns to the Thames

The CHANEL J12 Boat Race takes place on Saturday 4th April 2026, bringing one of the world's oldest and most famous sporting rivalries back to the banks of the River Thames in west London.

Oxford and Cambridge have been racing this course since 1829. The Women's Boat Race follows a heritage that stretches back to 1927. Few sporting occasions match it for atmosphere, tradition or spectacle.

The race starts just downstream of Putney Bridge on Putney Embankment and travels 6.8km along the Championship Course to the finish near Chiswick Bridge, passing Hammersmith Bridge, Craven Cottage and Barnes Bridge along the way. More than 250,000 spectators line the riverbanks each year, making early planning essential.

When Does the Race Start?

Both races are broadcast live on Channel 4.

• Women's Boat Race – 2.21pm

• Men's Boat Race – 3.21pm

Arrive well before the Women's Race if you want to secure a good spot along the embankment and get settled before the action begins.

Book Parking for The Boat Race with JustPark

Putney gets extremely busy on race day. Roads around the embankment fill up quickly, and on-street spaces near the start line are typically taken well before the first race gets underway.

Book parking near Putney for The Boat Race in advance to take the uncertainty out of your day. With more than 1,650 reservable spaces across the area, JustPark connects you with private driveways, off-street spaces and car parks close to Putney Embankment.

When you book with JustPark, you can:

• Reserve your space before you leave home

• Choose from private driveways and off-street locations across Putney and the surrounding area

• Avoid driving in circles looking for a spot during peak event hours

• Extend your stay easily through the app if your plans change

Areas with good pre-bookable spaces include:

• Streets around Putney High Street and Putney Embankment, ideal for watching the start

• Residential roads near East Putney and Putney Bridge stations, within easy walking distance of the course

• Locations along Lower Richmond Road and Deodar Road, well-placed for the start area and Wandsworth Park

Booking early is strongly recommended. Spaces close to the start fill up fast, particularly from mid-morning on race day.

Road Closures and Restrictions to Know About

Putney Embankment is the focal point of race day activity, and sections of the surrounding road network are typically subject to closures and restrictions.

Hammersmith Bridge is closed to pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooters from 10am to 4pm on race day. Barnes Bridge is also closed. If you're planning to watch from further along the course, factor in these closures when working out your route.

Check Wandsworth Council and TfL travel advisories in the days before the event for the most up-to-date road closure information. Arriving earlier in the morning, before closures come into effect, gives you the best chance of reaching your parked space without disruption.

Where to Watch The Boat Race

Putney Embankment is the traditional gathering point and the place to catch the coin toss, cheer the crews off and soak up the atmosphere before the race heads upstream.

The University Boat Race Stone (marked "UBR") is set into the towpath on Putney Embankment, a few metres west of Putney Bridge. This is where the race begins.

Further along the course, key viewing points include:

• Bishops Park and Craven Cottage (Fulham Fan Zone) – big screens, food, drinks and live coverage, opening at 11am

• Furnivall Gardens, Hammersmith – the Hammersmith Fan Zone at the two-mile mark, also open from 11am with screens and food

• Barnes Bridge – the final bridge before the finish, a great spot for a tight race

Getting to Putney Without a Car

Putney has strong public transport links, and travelling by rail or Tube is one of the easiest ways to reach the start area on a busy race day.

• Putney Station (National Rail) – trains run to Waterloo and Clapham Junction, roughly 10–15 minutes' walk from the embankment

• East Putney Station (District Line) – around 8–10 minutes' walk from the start area

• Putney Bridge Station (District Line) – a short walk from the Putney side of the bridge

If you'd rather drive part of the way, park further out along the District Line and take the Tube into Putney. It keeps you clear of the busiest roads and cuts down on the time spent looking for a space close to the course.

Live Near the Course? Rent Out Your Driveway

If you live near Putney Embankment, the High Street, Lower Richmond Road or East Putney, you can earn extra income on race day by renting out your driveway on JustPark.

More than 250,000 people attend The Boat Race each year, and demand for off-street parking close to the course is high from early morning. JustPark hosts typically earn between £50 and £300 per month and a major annual event like this can make a meaningful difference to that figure.

Listing is free and takes less than 10 minutes. You set your availability and price, and JustPark handles the bookings, payments and driver support. You can even use Scheduled Pricing to maximise your earnings on high-demand days like race day.

Make the Most of Race Day in Putney

The Boat Race is more than a sporting event. It's a day out. Putney Embankment fills with families, rowing enthusiasts and first-time visitors, and the atmosphere along the riverbank builds steadily from late morning.

Arrive early to explore the start area, grab food along the high street and find your spot before the crowds thicken. With the Women's Race starting at 2.21pm and the Men's Race at 3.21pm, there's plenty of time to settle in and take in the occasion.

Book your parking in Putney with JustPark ahead of race day and arrive knowing exactly where you're headed. One less thing to think about, so you can focus on the race.