| Where: | River Thames from London Bridge to Chelsea |
| When: | Usually mid July- day depends on the tides (and can be in August or even September) |
| Time: | Variable- depends on tides and varies from 11am until late afternoon depending on year |
This is the oldest rowing race in the world founded by Thomas Doggett in 1715 with prizes of a red coat and a silver badge, hence the name. He left a bequest so that the race could continue after his death and supposedly he founded it partly in gratitude for a lighterman giving him a late lift home to Chelsea, and partly to celebrate the accession of George I as he was a staunch supporter of the Hanoverian dynasty. Anyone can watch but only London Watermen can compete in the race. It still follows the original course of four miles and seven furlongs, beginning at London Bridge and ending near Cadogan Pier, and is between six freemen of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen. Afterwards the competitors and officials return to Fishmongers Hall (next to London Bridge) for the prizes to be given out.Previous winners of all ages will be attired in their uniforms, with large silver badges on the sleeves.
Helpful Hints
It’s usually but not invariably in July (in 2015 it was on Saturday 1st August for the tercentenary of the race). In 2023 it was held on Wednesday 19th July- 2-24 date is yet to be announced.
Depending on the speed of the rowers, the race can take less than half-an-hour. A good view of the finishing stages of the race for landlubbers can be had from Chelsea Embankment near Cadogan Pier. If you want to watch the later prizegiving at Fishmongers Hall, stand on London Bridge and look down on the balcony where the winner and officials all gather approximately an hour or so after the end of the race.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/doggetts/
Click here for the event page: https://doggettsrace.com
For more information click here: https://thamesfestivaltrust.org/heritage-programme/the-worlds-oldest-boat-race/
Click here for the event website : http://www.doggettsrace.org.uk/
and here for the Company of Watermen and Lightermen: http://watermenscompany.com
The original colour of the coat was orange. The protestant colour, and not red, although over the years the colour of the cloth has changed. BUT THE IMPORTANT COLOUR TO THOMAS DOGGETT WAS ORANGE, as in the Prince of Orange.