Dukes Head Putney

A pub is believed to have stood on this site since 1774, with the current building dating back to 1864 and featuring fittings from 1894. The basement once served as a storage space for boats belonging to Putney Town Rowing Club.

Situated near the start of the University Boat Races, the pub offers a prime view of the event and is located close to the official Boat Race start stone.

This was one of my favourite haunts in my misspent youth. Having received a life-time ban with my brother (rowdy behaviour after the consumption of too many pints of Young’s Ordinary bitter), (We were forgiven a few weeks later). It is a classic traditional pub with good food and great views over the start of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.