I'll be in london during the week of the oxford Cambridge boat race. I'm not a big fan but I LOVE people watching and can be a one day cheerleader. I've looked online for places to view/pubs but since I'm travelling alone and I'm out of my element I'm nervous about where would be the most fun for me. Any suggestions? I wouldn't mind going to a beer garden for an hour to wait for the crews to pass buy..... Thx in advance
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Unless you are tall and prepared to be there hours and hours before the race, you won't see much. Turning up an hour before the race means that you won't see anything as all the decent viewing points will be taken. The weather is usually dreadfully cold too!
Find a nice warm bar that has it on the tv and do your people watching there.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5331 posts
Warning that some (most?) of those pubs have high prices, even for London.
The Boat Race really isn't the event that it once was - much like the Epsom Derby the time when it drew real general public fervour to go and see it is over. Personally I used to be fortunate to be able to watch them go by from my aunt's balcony.
Somewhat ironically neither Oxford or Cambridge tend to do well in the BUCS regattas - last year this was one by Oxford BROOKES, followed by London, Edinburgh and Reading. Cambridge was eighth and Oxford tenth.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, Canada
101 posts
Good food for thought. I won't make it a big priority on my itinerary. Might plan some sightseeing in the "area" and if happen to see a crowd then great.
Posted by
Ohio
171 posts
The Boat Races are rowed from Putney to Mortlake in the late afternoon of April 2nd. This part of the river is not, in my opinion, particularly scenic. Not far from Mortlake is Kew Gardens - about 1.5 miles. If you are a garden fan you might consider spending an hour or two enjoying Kew before the Boat Race. We spent a day there in early April one year and the Rhododendron Dell was spectacular. Of course the period of bloom will depend on the weather this Spring. So if you do plan to go to Kew to enjoy the rhododendrons please check with Kew for an update.