About

The 45th Annual Historic Barge Race will take place on Saturday 21st May 2022. This year’s race is called the Queens Platinum Jubilee Race in honour of her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Queens Platinum Jubilee Race will consist of about 12 teams of between four & six crewmembers. Each crew will drive (steer & row) 30 ton Thames barges over a seven mile course for approximately 90 minutes between Greenwich & Westminster Bridge.

Considerable skill is required to pilot unpowered barges ‘rowed under oars’ or sweeps & ride tidal river currents alone. The race not only commemorates the Platinum Jubilee but also the skills of Thames lightermen who moved freight this way along the River Thames up until the 1930′. In a wider context the race encourages ongoing interest in moving cargo via water as a way to recruit younger people back into traditional river trades.

Where to Watch the Race:
The apprentice race covers 7 miles of river from Greenwich Reach to Westminster Bridge. The barges row under ten of London’s Bridges & eight of these are accessible to pedestrians making them excellent vantage points to see the race.

The best views of the race are from the Thames Barge Driving Trusts official following boat. This year the following boat will be M.V Salient, a large passenger vessel with a spacious saloon & open deck, toilet facilities & a fully licensed bar. Salient’s upper deck is the perfect vantage point to see the race & London’s landmarks. Salient will embark passengers at Greenwich Pier at 12 noon. At 12:30pm Salient will depart & cruise for four hours following the race from Greenwich upriver past Canary Wharf, through the City of London & into the City of Westminster. The well-stocked bar will be open for the duration of the cruise serving a range of beers, ciders, wines, spirits & soft drinks at pub prices. After the race Salient will return to Greenwich between 4:15pm - 4:30pm to disembark passengers.

* The proceeds from ticket sales help to support the Thames Barge Driving Trust. The following boat can be very popular, book early to avoid disappointment.