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Rowing Clubs in the UK: A Region-by-Region Guide

Over 90 UK rowing clubs by region, from the Tideway to Belfast, with founding dates, home water, who each suits, key regattas and tips on picking one.

By Dan Higgins · Updated · 10 min read

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This guide is for anyone looking for a UK rowing club, from adult beginners to rowers who have just moved to a new city. The scene runs from old Tideway clubs at Putney to St Ayles skiff crews at North Berwick. The 2026 Head of the River Race alone drew 372 entries.

How UK rowing is organised

Clubs affiliate to a national body. British Rowing covers England and has a rowing activity finder on its site. Clubs here were checked on their own sites and on regatta results. Scottish Rowing groups its clubs into East, North and West, and Welsh Rowing runs a directory that shows training details and Welsh-language support. Northern Ireland’s clubs sit under Rowing Ireland.

As a rule of thumb, autumn to spring is head-race season and summer is for side-by-side regattas. Dates to note:

London

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
London Rowing Club1856Putney, Tidewaycompetitive, recreational, learn-to-rowlondonrc.org.uk
Thames Rowing Club1860Putney, Tidewaycompetitive, mastersthamesrc.co.uk
Vesta Rowing Club1870Putney, Tidewaycompetitive, recreational, learn-to-rowvestarowing.co.uk
Tideway Scullers School1957Chiswick, Tidewayjuniors, masters, competitivetidewayscullersschool.co.uk
Auriol Kensington Rowing Club1981Hammersmith, Tidewaycompetitive, learn-to-rowakrowing.com
Twickenham Rowing Club1860Eel Pie Island, River Thamesjuniors, masters, learn-to-rowtwickenhamrc.co.uk
Kingston Rowing Club1858Kingston upon Thames, River Thamesjuniors, masters, learn-to-rowkingstonrc.co.uk
Molesey Boat Club1866East Molesey, River Thamesjuniors, masters, learn-to-rowmoleseyboatclub.co.uk
Lea Rowing Club1980Hackney, River Leajuniors, recreational, learn-to-rowlearc.org.uk
Globe Rowing Club1923Greenwichjuniors, competitive, learn-to-rowgloberc.wordpress.com

Henley and the Thames Valley

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
Leander Club1818Henley-on-Thames, River Thamescompetitiveleander.co.uk
Henley Rowing Club1839Henley-on-Thames, River Thamesjuniors, masters, learn-to-rowhenleyrowingclub.co.uk
Upper Thames Rowing Club1963Remenham, River Thamescompetitive, mastersutrc.org.uk
Marlow Rowing Club1871Bisham, River Thamesn/amarlowrowingclub.org.uk
Reading Rowing Club1867Reading, River Thamesjuniors, recreational, learn-to-rowreadingrc.com
City of Oxford Rowing Club1968Oxford, River Thamesjuniors, masters, learn-to-rowoxfordrowingclub.org.uk
Maidenhead Rowing Clubn/aMaidenheadn/aHoRR results
Wallingford Rowing Clubn/aWallingfordn/aHoRR results

Kent

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
Medway Towns Rowing Club1865Rochester, River Medwaylearn-to-rowmedwayrowing.com
Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club1984Maidstone, River Medwayjuniors, masters, recreationalmaidstoneinvicta.co.uk
Herne Bay Amateur Rowing Club1887Herne Bay, coastaljuniors, competitive, learn-to-rowhbarc.org.uk
Bewl Bridge Rowing Club1977Lamberhurst, Bewl Waterjuniors, masters, recreationalbewlrowingclub.co.uk
Gravesend Rowing Club1878Gravesend, River Thameslearn-to-row, recreational, competitivegravesendrc.co.uk
Folkestone Rowing Club1852Sandgate, coastallearn-to-row, recreational, competitivefolkestonerowingclub.com
Deal Walmer and Kingsdown ARC1927Deal, coastallearn-to-row, competitivedealrowingclub.weebly.com
University of Kent Rowing Club1966Canterbury, River Stouruniversityukcrowingclub.co.uk

Sussex and Hampshire

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
Shoreham Rowing Clubn/aShoreham-by-Sea, River Adur and coastjuniors, recreational, learn-to-rowshorehamrowingclub.co.uk
Ardingly Rowing Clubn/aArdingly Reservoir (temporarily Weir Wood Reservoir)competitive, recreationalardinglyrowingclub.co.uk
Worthing Rowing Club1880Worthing, coastaln/aworthingrowingclub.com
Southampton Coalporters ARCn/aSouthamptonn/aHoRR results
Lymington Amateur Rowing Clubn/aLymingtonn/aHoRR results
Hastings Rowing Club1868Hastings, coastalmasters, recreationaln/a
Southsea Rowing Club1860Portsmouth, coastaljuniors, competitive, learn-to-rowsouthsearowingclub.co.uk
Itchen Imperial Rowing Club1916Southampton, River Itchencompetitive, recreationalitchenimperial.co.uk

Bristol and the South West

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
City of Bristol Rowing Club1952Bristol Harbourn/abristolrowing.co.uk
University of Bristol Boat Clubn/aBristoluniversityHoRR results
Minerva Bath Rowing Clubn/aBathn/aHoRR results
Gloucester Rowing Club1846Gloucester, Gloucester and Sharpness Canaljuniors, competitive, learn-to-rowgloucester-rowing.org
Exeter Rowing Club1864Exeter, River Exejuniors, masters, learn-to-rowexeterrowingclub.com
Dart Totnes Amateur Rowing Club2008Totnes, River Dartjuniors, competitive, learn-to-rowdarttotnes.co.uk
Bideford Amateur Rowing Clubn/aBidefordn/aHoRR results

The Midlands

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
Nottingham Rowing Club2006Nottingham, River Trentmasters, recreational, learn-to-rownottingham-rowing-club.co.uk
Derby Rowing Clubn/aDerby, River Derwentcompetitive, recreational, learn-to-rowderbyrowingclub.co.uk
Leicester Rowing Club1882Leicester, Grand Union Canaljuniors, recreational, learn-to-rowleicester-rowing.co.uk
Birmingham Rowing Club1873Birmingham, Edgbaston Reservoirjuniors, recreational, learn-to-rowbirminghamrowingclub.co.uk
Worcester Rowing Club1874Worcester, River Severnjuniors, masters, recreationalwrc1874.co.uk
Evesham Rowing Club1863Evesham, River Avonjuniors, competitive, recreationalerc.club
Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club1874Stratford-upon-Avon, River Avonjuniors, masters, learn-to-rowstratford-rowing.co.uk
Trentham Boat Clubn/aTrenthamn/aHoRR results

East of England

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
City of Cambridge Rowing Club1863Cambridge, River Camjuniors, masters, competitivecityrc.co.uk
Cantabrigian Rowing Clubn/aCambridgen/aHoRR results
Bedford Rowing Club1886Bedford, River Great Ousecompetitivebedfordrowing.co.uk
Norwich Rowing Club1972Norwich, River Yarejuniors, masters, learn-to-rownorwichrowingclub.com
Peterborough City Rowing Clubn/aPeterboroughn/aHoRR results
Sudbury Rowing Clubn/aSudburyn/aHoRR results
Isle of Ely Rowing Club2004Ely, River Great Ouserecreational, learn-to-rowelyrowingclub.org.uk
Huntingdon Boat Club1854Hartford, River Great Ousejuniors, mastershuntingdonboatclub.org

North West England

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
Agecroft Rowing Club1861Salford Quaysjuniors, masters, learn-to-rowagecroftrc.org.uk
Trafford Rowing Club1957Sale, Bridgewater Canaljuniors, recreational, learn-to-rowtraffordrowing.club
Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club1872Littleborough, Hollingworth Lakejuniors, masters, learn-to-rowhollingworthlakerowingclub.co.uk
Royal Chester Rowing Club1838Chester, River Deejuniors, masters, learn-to-rowroyalchester.org
Mersey Rowing Clubn/aLiverpooln/aHoRR results
Northwich Rowing Clubn/aNorthwichn/aHoRR results
Manchester University Boat Club1932Manchester, Bridgewater Canaluniversity, learn-to-rowmubc.org.uk
Salford University Boat Clubn/aSalford Quaysuniversitysalfordsu.com
Liverpool University Boat Clubn/aLiverpooluniversityHoRR results

North East England and Yorkshire

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
Tyne United Rowing Clubn/aGateshead, River Tynejuniors, masters, learn-to-rowtyneunited.co.uk
Tyne Amateur Rowing Clubn/aRiver Tynen/aHoRR results
Newcastle University Boat Clubn/aNewcastleuniversityHoRR results
Durham Amateur Rowing Club1860Durham, River Wearjuniors, recreational, learn-to-rowdurham-arc.org.uk
Durham University Boat Club1877Durham, River Wearuniversitydubc.co.uk
City of Sunderland Rowing Clubn/aSunderlandn/aHoRR results
York City Rowing Club1843York, River Ousen/aycrc.co.uk
City of Sheffield Rowing Clubn/aSheffieldn/aHoRR results

Scotland

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
St Andrew Boat Club1846Edinburgh, Union Canaljuniors, masters, recreationalstandrewboatclub.org.uk
Edinburgh University Boat Clubn/aEdinburghuniversityScottish Rowing
North Berwick Rowing Clubn/aNorth Berwick, coastaljuniors, competitive, recreationalnbrowingclub.com
Stirling Rowing Club1853Stirling, River Forthcompetitive, learn-to-rowstirling-rowing.org.uk
Tay Rowing Club2015Perth, River Tayjuniors, learn-to-rowtayrowingclub.com
Strathclyde Park Rowing Club2000Strathclyde Lochjuniors, recreational, learn-to-rowstrathclydeparkrc.co.uk
Glasgow Rowing Clubn/aGlasgown/aScottish Rowing
Clydesdale ARCn/aWest of Scotlandn/aScottish Rowing
Aberdeen Boat Clubn/aAberdeenn/aScottish Rowing
Inverness Rowing Clubn/aInverness, Caledonian Canalcompetitive, learn-to-rowinvernessrowing.uk

Wales

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
Llandaff Rowing Clubn/aLlandaff, Cardiffjuniors, masters, learn-to-rowllandaffrc.com
Cardiff City Rowing Clubn/aCardiff, rivercompetitiveWelsh Rowing
Cardiff University Rowing Clubn/aCardiff, riveruniversity, competitiveWelsh Rowing
Penarth Rowing Clubn/aPenarth, coastalcompetitiveWelsh Rowing
Monmouth Rowing Clubn/aMonmouth, rivercompetitiveWelsh Rowing
City of Swansea Rowing Clubn/aSwansea, coastaljuniors, masters, competitiveWelsh Rowing
Swansea University Rowing Clubn/aSwansea, riveruniversity, competitiveWelsh Rowing
Carmarthen Rowing Clubn/aCarmarthenjuniors, masters, recreationalcarmarthenrowingclub.co.uk
Aberystwyth University Boat Clubn/aAberystwyth, riveruniversity, competitiveWelsh Rowing

Northern Ireland

ClubFoundedLocation/waterWho it’s forWebsite
Belfast Rowing Club1842Belfast, River Laganjuniors, masters, learn-to-rowbelfastrowing.com
Belfast Boat Club1876Belfast, River Laganmasters, competitive, recreationalbelfastboatclub.com
Lagan Scullers Clubn/aBelfast, River Lagancompetitive, learn-to-rowlaganscullers.co.uk
Bann Rowing Clubn/aColerainen/aRowing Ireland
Portadown Boat Clubn/aPortadownn/aRowing Ireland
Cove Rowingn/aWhitehead, Islandmagee, coastaln/acoverowing.co.uk
Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club1931Belfast, River Laganuniversity, competitivequbrowing.org
Enniskillen Royal Boat Clubn/aEnniskillen, Lough Ernejuniorsn/a

How to pick a club in the UK

  • Beginner routes vary. London RC runs courses with TopRow, City of Cambridge uses Cambridge Rowing Experience, and Thames RC has no learn-to-row at all. Courses fill, too: Nottingham’s 2026 adult courses are full. If you’re waiting for a place and want to train at home, our guide to the best folding rowing machine helps where space is tight, and the Hydrow rowing machine review covers a screen-led option.
  • Check the water. Tidal stretches shape when you can go out, which is why Globe publishes tide tables. As a rule of thumb, canal clubs such as St Andrew and Trafford are sheltered but narrow, while coastal clubs like Herne Bay and Worthing depend more on wind and sea.
  • Ask about current access. Ardingly is working from Weir Wood while its reservoir is repaired and can’t plan beginner courses for now.
  • Know what masters means. Thames, St Andrew and City of Oxford all use 27 as the starting age.
  • Moving city? Lea and Tyne United both invite rowers who have just moved to the area, and Thames has a section for visiting rowers. Moving further afield? See rowing clubs in Canada.
  • Welsh speakers. Welsh Rowing lists Welsh-language support at Carmarthen and City of Swansea.

New to the sport? Read rowing for beginners and the reasons to join a club, or browse all club guides.

Spotted a mistake or a missing club? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need experience to join a UK rowing club?

Not at most clubs, but check first. London RC, Vesta and Lea all run beginner routes, while Thames RC says it has no junior squad or learn-to-row courses and expects members to be able to row already.

Which body runs rowing in Northern Ireland?

Rowing Ireland is the governing body for the whole island, north and south, so Belfast, Coleraine and Portadown clubs appear on its club list. England, Scotland and Wales have their own bodies: British Rowing, Scottish Rowing and Welsh Rowing.

When are the big UK rowing events?

The Head of the River Race on the Tideway is on 20 March 2027, Henley Women's Regatta is on 18 to 20 June 2027, and Henley Royal Regatta runs from 29 June to 4 July 2027.

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