Durham Regatta: the River Wear tradition that is older than Henley

Every June, the riverbanks below Durham Cathedral fill with picnic blankets, rowing blades and cheering crowds. Durham Regatta is one of the great fixtures of the North East sporting calendar, and in June 2026 it reached its 193rd edition, held over the weekend of 13 and 14 June.

Its history is remarkable. The regatta dates back to 1834, making it the second oldest in England after Chester and five years older than Henley Royal Regatta, which organisers like to call "the Durham of the South". Its roots go back even further, to an annual procession of boats on the Wear that marked the Duke of Wellington's victory at Waterloo from 1815.

The founding of Durham University in 1833 gave the event its competitive edge. The first regatta took place the following June, with oarsmen invited from the Tyne, Wear and Tees for three days of racing. Early crews often raced nine abreast and had to untangle their boats after collisions under the narrow arches of Elvet Bridge.

Today the racing uses two courses. Most races take place on the short 700m course from Pelaw Wood to just past Baths Bridge, while the longer 1,800m course takes crews through the historic arches of Elvet Bridge to a finish near Prebends Bridge. Around 60 trophies are presented, the most prestigious being the Grand Challenge Cup for elite coxed fours, first introduced in 1854 by boat builder Charles Eddy.

The regatta draws entries from across the country and from abroad, including the Netherlands and Scandinavia, and almost every Durham University college takes part. In 2025 around 10,000 spectators and more than 1,400 competitors enjoyed the racing against the backdrop of a World Heritage Site.

It is not only about rowing. Over the years the riverside has hosted a classic car rally, a climbing wall, live music at the historic bandstand and gymnastics displays, along with stalls and local food and drink, which makes it a brilliant day out for families.

None of it would happen without the volunteers who help with everything from setup to hospitality, and the organisers are always keen to welcome new helpers. Results, photographs and news of the 2027 regatta are on the Durham Regatta website.