LONDON STORIES
Great River Race 2026: bridge times and the best way to watch
The Great River Race starts at Millwall at 12:45 on Saturday 12 September. Use the organiser’s relative timings to choose one bridge, arrive early and build the rest of the day on the same stretch of river.
- Date
- Saturday 12 September
- First start
- 12:45 BST
- Course
- Millwall → Ham
- Viewing
- Free from public points
The useful viewing calculation
The organiser defines the 2026 start time as 12:45 and publishes observation points as minutes after that start. The clock times in this guide are simple planning conversions, not promises: staggered handicaps mean faster boats begin later and the fleet passes over an extended window.
Central bridge sequence
The official sequence is Tower Bridge at roughly start plus 30 minutes, London Bridge plus 35, Southwark Bridge plus 40, Millennium Bridge plus 50, Blackfriars plus 55 and Waterloo plus 60. Arrive at least 20–30 minutes before the earliest estimate so crowds, station exits and bridge access do not erase the view.
Choose one bank and stay there
Bridge hopping looks easy on a map but crowds, crossings and station changes consume the race window. Pick one observation point, identify the nearest accessible station and add a riverside walk or cultural stop on the same bank. Keep bridge footways and working access clear.
Start and finish are different days out
Millwall offers the earliest race atmosphere and Ham receives the finish, but they create very different transport plans. The official locations page identifies Millwall Slipway at E14 3QS. Anyone heading toward the finish should use the organiser’s current access and transport notes rather than assuming a central-London route.
River and safety checks
Weather, tide and operational decisions may change timings or river services. Do not enter the foreshore, operational areas or restricted spaces for a better photograph. Follow event staff, bridge management and Port of London Authority notices.
Last verified
LONNOW checked the official race homepage, observation points and locations on 7 September 2026. Recheck them on race morning and confirm TfL status for the exact station you intend to use.
