# The Boat Race: what to do between sessions in London

Source: https://eventweekends.com/culture/boat-race/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** Saturday, 3 April 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Thames from Putney to Mortlake, London, United Kingdom, about 7 km from the centre
- **Free time:** Gaps of two to four hours between screenings or shows, and whole days for companions.
- **Best base:** South Bank and Bloomsbury: Walk to the museums, theatres and the river.
- **Getting there:** Heathrow (LHR) has the Elizabeth line to central London in 35 to 45 minutes and the Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes.
- **Weather:** In April, London averages highs of about 14°C and lows of 4°C, with roughly 42 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 59 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Tower of London and Crown Jewels; Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter; Thames river cruise

## Know before you go

- Free to watch from the riverbanks; Putney and Hammersmith are the busiest spots.

## Weather and what to pack

In April, London averages highs of about 14°C and lows of 4°C, with roughly 42 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 59 min of daylight.
- A warm layer for the evenings.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small day bag.

## Airport to venue

Heathrow (LHR) has the Elizabeth line to central London in 35 to 45 minutes and the Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes. Gatwick (LGW) has the Gatwick Express to Victoria in 30 minutes. Stansted and Luton have trains to Liverpool Street and St Pancras.

District line to Putney Bridge.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** King's Cross and Paddington. Big stations with many lines and cheaper chain hotels.
- **mid:** South Bank and Bloomsbury. Walk to the museums, theatres and the river.
- **luxury:** Mayfair and Covent Garden. Grand hotels near the West End.
- Hotels we would book: Premier Inn London King's Cross (budget), Hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden (mid), The Savoy (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Between screenings or shows

A two- to four-hour gap: something close by.
- Half-day: London Eye. Thirty minutes over the river.
- Eat: Flat Iron, Cheap good steak

### A free day

For companions without a pass, or attendees taking a day off.
- Full day: Oxford and the Cotswolds day trip. Colleges and honey-stone villages.

### Evenings

After the last show of the day.
- Evening: West End show. Musicals and plays most nights.
- Eat: Mercato Metropolitano, Big food hall in Elephant and Castle

### Rainy day

Indoor backups.
- Rain or heat backup: Wembley Stadium tour. Dressing rooms and the tunnel.
- Free: Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (check days).

## Tours worth booking

- [Tower of London and Crown Jewels](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Tower%20of%20London%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-boat-race): Beefeater tours and the jewels.
- [Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Harry%20Potter%20studio%20tour%20London&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-boat-race): Sets and props north of London; book weeks ahead.
- [Thames river cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Thames%20river%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-boat-race): Westminster to Greenwich.
- [Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Stonehenge%20Windsor%20Bath%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-boat-race): Three classics in one long day.
- [West End show](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=London%20West%20End%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-boat-race): Musicals and plays most nights.
- [London Eye](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=London%20Eye%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-boat-race): Thirty minutes over the river.
- [Borough Market food tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=London%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-boat-race): Tastings at London's oldest food market.
- [Jack the Ripper walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Jack%20the%20Ripper%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-boat-race): East End evening walk.
- [Oxford and the Cotswolds day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Oxford%20Cotswolds%20day%20trip&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-boat-race): Colleges and honey-stone villages.
- [Thames afternoon tea cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=London%20afternoon%20tea%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-boat-race): Tea, scones and the skyline.

## Where to eat

- Borough Market: Food stalls under the railway
- Dishoom: Bombay café; queues at peak times
- Padella: Fresh pasta at Borough
- Flat Iron: Cheap good steak
- Mercato Metropolitano: Big food hall in Elephant and Castle
- Rules: London's oldest restaurant, game and pies
- Brick Lane: Bagels and curry houses
- Dishoom King's Cross: Breakfast bacon naan

## With kids

- Natural History Museum dinosaurs.
- Science Museum.
- Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens.
- London Zoo.

## Rainy-day backups

- British Museum.
- V&A.
- Churchill War Rooms.

## Getting around

- The Tube, Overground and Elizabeth line run on contactless with a daily cap. Some lines run all night on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Twickenham: trains from Waterloo; Wembley: Jubilee and Metropolitan lines or Chiltern trains; Wimbledon: District line to Southfields.
- Tap in with a contactless card on buses, trams and most urban trains.
- Book long-distance trains early on the operator app or Trainline: walk-up fares are expensive.
- Uber works in most UK cities; local black cabs are metered.

## Questions people ask

### When is The Boat Race 2027?

The next edition is Saturday, 3 April 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during The Boat Race?

In April, London averages highs of about 14°C and lows of 4°C, with roughly 42 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 59 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Thames from Putney to Mortlake?

Heathrow (LHR) has the Elizabeth line to central London in 35 to 45 minutes and the Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes. Gatwick (LGW) has the Gatwick Express to Victoria in 30 minutes. Stansted and Luton have trains to Liverpool Street and St Pancras. District line to Putney Bridge.

### Where should I stay for The Boat Race?

For most visitors the best base is South Bank and Bloomsbury: Walk to the museums, theatres and the river.

### What can we do between sessions at The Boat Race?

Good short outings in London include Tower of London and Crown Jewels, Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter, Thames river cruise. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near The Boat Race?

Family-friendly picks: Tower of London and Crown Jewels, Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter, Thames river cruise. Natural History Museum dinosaurs.

### How far is Thames from Putney to Mortlake from London centre?

About 7 km in a straight line. District line to Putney Bridge.

More in London: https://eventweekends.com/city/london/