Savills Portugal

The eagerly anticipated Boat Race takes place on the Thames in South West London this Sunday. Established in 1829, it is an event which draws thousands of spectators to the capital's riverbanks each year.

The race begins at Putney Bridge, where the bows of the boats are moored in line with The University Boat Race Stone – a marker set into the towpath on Putney Embankment, a few metres below Putney Bridge. Another stone marks the finish line, 4.2 miles down the river, adjacent to The Ship pub in Mortlake.

The race’s history is peppered with drama, usually caused by extreme weather and choppy water making rowing conditions hazardous. In 1912 both boats sank due to high winds. There have been five subsequent sinkings, including 1984 when the Cambridge boat became submerged after colliding with a barge before the start of the race. In 2012 an Australian protestor disrupted the event for half an hour when he swam onto the course and had to be fished out.

Currently, Cambridge leads Oxford 83 to 80 in the men’s race and 43 to 30 in the women’s race, but with the teams often neck and neck for much of the course, it promises to be a nail biting event from start to finish. When it comes to house prices, however, the average second hand sale price in Oxford was a nose ahead of Cambridge in 2018, with the average property selling for £510,000 vs £500,000.

In addition to hosting the Boat Race, this stretch of the river is also home to some of London’s most desirable properties, which command an average premium of 28.4 per cent over those farther inland.

The period homes, often with gardens bordering the banks, are coveted by families who are attracted by waterside living and excellent local schooling. Modern new developments offer lateral space to downsizers and are also a popular lock up and leave option for those travelling in and out of London.

For residents, the race is a key date in the calendar. Many will have family and friends gathered in the garden or packed onto their balconies to watch the boats go past. There is a real sense of community amongst neighbours and, whichever team you’re cheering for, the buzz of the day is undeniable.

If you’re not lucky enough to live on the river here, there are still plenty of excellent spots to watch the race, including some of London’s oldest riverside pubs. The Dove and The Old Ship on Upper Mall, for example, both have terraces overlooking the water and are a great place to catch a glimpse of the boats as they pass under Hammersmith bridge. Our advice – get there early.