Make a day of rowing on the Thames

The Lord Mayor’s Show will start with a flotilla on the Thames once again this year as the Lord Mayor processes from Vauxhall to Tower Bridge on board the Gloriana.  The Queen’s Royal Barge will be accompanied by dozens of traditional Thames boats from London livery companies and a host of other local organisations. 

The colourful flotilla sets off at 8.35 and will take an hour to process downstream to HMS President moored just below St Katherine’s Dock.  Visit http://www.lordmayorsshow.org/flotilla/  to find out when the Gloriana will be passing under the bridges.  

Then there will be plenty of time for a leisurely ‘brunch’ along the riverbank before heading back towards to Putney and Hammersmith to enjoy the Fuller‘s Head of the Fours River Race.  This annual contest begins at 12.15 at Mortlake with crews heading downstream to Putney (the opposite way to the Boat Race).  This is a chance to spot the Olympic rowers many of whom will be returning to their clubs to compete along the tough 6,800m course. 

More details about the racing from http://www.hor4s.org.uk/ 

Find out more about ‘Head’ or processional racing here  https://www.britishrowing.org/competing/types-competition