Alex Hickman Memorial Race
Race Date: 1st October 2023
Race Route: Greenwich Reach to Westminster Bridge
The Alex Hickman Memorial Race will take place on Sunday 17th July 2022 between Greenwich Reach & Westminster Bridge. The race will see apprentice waterman rowing traditional Thames lighters along a 7 mile course passing beneath London’s bridges & past some of London’s most famous sights. One Freeman will be aboard each barge to provide the apprentices with support & a fleet of tugs & safety boats will be in attendance.
The race consists of three to five teams of Apprentices and reminds them of the traditional skills of lightermen who moved freight using just their own personal strength and ride the best possible tidal flows.
The Thames Barge Driving Trust’s official following boat will also be covering the race route providing unique views of the race.
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.
Boarding: 11:30
Departure: 11:45
Return: 16:00-16:15
Vessel Name: M.V Salient
Embark / Disembark Location:
Greenwich Pier, Cutty Sark Gardens, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9HT
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 two spacious saloons & an open deck at the back of the upper level. Salient also has toilet facilities & a fully licensed bar. Salient will embark passengers at Greenwich Pier at 11:10. At 11:30 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 Mercia will return to Greenwich between 15:00 -16:00 to disembark passengers.
Tickets for the Salient are just £20.00 per adult & £10.00 for children & the proceeds help to support the Thames Barge Driving Trust, Tickets also include a Ploughmans lunch. The following boat can be very popular, we recommend booking your ticket online to avoid disappointment.
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 Mercia, a large passenger vessel with a spacious saloon & large open deck, toilet facilities & a fully licensed bar. Mercia’s open top deck is the perfect vantage point to see the race & London’s landmarks. Mercia will embark passengers at Greenwich Pier at 12:15. At 12:30 Mercia 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 Mercia will return to Greenwich between 16:15 -16:30 to disembark passengers.
Tickets for the Mercia are just £20.00 per adult & £10.00 for children & the proceeds help to support the Thames Barge Driving Trust. The following boat can be very popular, we recommend booking your ticket online to avoid disappointment.
Ticket Prices
Adult (16+): £20.00
Child (5-15 Years): £10.00
How to Take Part
The Alex Hickman Memorial Race is open to all apprentices, if you are interested in rowing the race please contact John Potter on the number below.