Chiswick Pier opens for Great River Race on 12 September

More than 330 crews will row past on the 21-mile course, with food, drink and a bar available from 11.30am

Chiswick Pier will open to spectators on Saturday 12 September 2026 as the Great River Race passes through as part of the Totally Thames Festival. The pier opens from 11.30am with a food stall, ice cream, refreshments and a bar.

The Great River Race runs upstream from London Docklands to Ham, a 21-mile course that attracts more than 330 crews from around the world. Competitors range from serious athletes to crews taking part in fancy dress and for charity. Previous years have seen crews dressed as everything from Vikings to Smurfs, alongside rowing clubs chasing their own record times.

The race starts at Docklands at around 12.45pm on a ‘slowest first, fastest last’ handicap basis. The first boats are expected to pass Chiswick Pier at around 2.45pm, with more crews coming through for at least an hour after that. The pier looks out over a long stretch of the river, giving spectators plenty of time to watch each crew go by.

For up to date details, visit chiswickpier.org.uk.