South Western Railway has teamed up with an Olympic champion to help spectators make the most of this year's Boat Race.

SWR has worked with Lola Anderson, who won gold at the 2024 Olympic Games, to create a guide to the best viewing spots along the River Thames.

The world-famous The Boat Race takes place this Saturday 4 April, with the women's race starting at 2:21pm and the men's at 3:21pm.

Anderson said watching from the riverbank is the best way to experience the event.

"The Boat Race is one of the most exciting events in the rowing calendar, and there's no better way to watch than to get up close to the Thames with your friends," she said.

She highlighted Barnes Bridge and Mortlake as two of the top locations to catch the action, both easily accessible from Clapham Junction.

Barnes Bridge offers a view of the closing stages of the race, with spectators able to watch from nearby sections of the Thames Path, while Mortlake is the finishing point, making it ideal for seeing the final moments and celebrations.

Fans heading to Mortlake can also walk to Jubilee Gardens for a close-up riverside view, while Chiswick Bridge, around 15 minutes away, marks the official finish line.

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Passengers are being advised to plan ahead, as engineering works in the London Waterloo area mean travellers from central London will need to change trains.

Extra services will run from Clapham Junction to Barnes Bridge and Mortlake, with some trains extended to 10 coaches between 11am and 7pm to accommodate increased demand.

This year marks the 171st men's race and the 80th women's race between Oxford University Boat Club and Cambridge University Boat Club.

Cambridge head into the event as strong favourites, having won the last three men's races and eight consecutive women's races.

In a nod to the area's rowing heritage, SWR has also named one of its Arterio trains "Thames Racer", which will be running on the network on race day.

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