Durham Regatta: A Guide to the North's Oldest Rowing Event

For one weekend every June, the River Wear becomes the centre of Durham life. Rowing crews from schools, universities, colleges and clubs across the country race beneath the cathedral and castle while thousands of spectators line the banks. Durham Regatta is the second-oldest rowing regatta in England, a genuine piece of living heritage, and one of the highlights of the city's year. This guide explains its history, when and where it happens, and how to make the most of the day.

A regatta older than Henley

Durham Regatta was first held in 1834, which makes it the second-oldest rowing regatta in England after Chester, and older than the more famous Henley Royal Regatta by around five years. That long history has earned it the affectionate nickname "the Henley of the North". Its origins go back further still: from 1815 the city marked the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo with an annual procession of boats on the Wear, and it was this celebration that grew into a formal regatta in 1834. The 2026 event will be the 193rd running.

When and where it happens

The regatta is held over two days on the second weekend of June. In 2026 that falls on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June, with racing from early morning through the day. It all takes place on the River Wear below the peninsula, with the World Heritage cathedral and castle as a backdrop and the historic Racecourse, the city's open riverside sports ground, at its heart.

There are two courses. Most racing is on the short regatta course of about 700 metres, finishing near Baths Bridge, while a longer course of around 1,800 metres sweeps down through the bends past Elvet Bridge towards Prebends Bridge. You can catch glimpses of the racing from many points along the public riverbanks, but the main viewing area, with the stalls and the atmosphere, is the riverside enclosure on the Racecourse.

What you'll see

Crews race in eights, fours and other classes, from novice school and college boats to seasoned club and veteran oarsmen and women. The blue-riband event is the Grand Challenge Cup, first rowed in 1854 and traditionally contested by the strongest university crews. It is a big event by any measure: recent regattas have drawn over 1,400 competitors and around 10,000 spectators across the weekend, with crews travelling from across the UK and beyond.

Away from the water there is plenty to keep a family entertained. Along the enclosure you will find a good spread of food and drink and stalls, live music from the bandstand, a classic-car display and various family activities through the day. It makes an easy, sociable day out even for those who have never watched a rowing race before.

The rowing clubs

The regatta is organised by the Durham Regatta committee, based at Durham Amateur Rowing Club's boathouse on Green Lane. Rowing runs deep in the city. Durham Amateur Rowing Club, founded in 1860, is the main community club and a regular winner at national championships. Durham University fields one of the largest student rowing scenes in the country, with the university boat club and sixteen college boat clubs coordinated through Durham College Rowing, whose intercollegiate races are a familiar sight on the Wear. Durham School Boat Club, founded in 1847, is among the oldest clubs on the river. All three were named among the regatta's founders back in 1834.

Tickets and getting there

Entry to the riverside enclosure is ticketed, at around £5 for adults and £3 for children and over-65s at the time of writing, with under-5s free and a sticker giving all-day access; check durham-regatta.org.uk for the current year's prices. Parking at the site is very limited, so the organisers strongly recommend the city's Park & Ride sites at Belmont, Sniperley and Howlands, which are free to park and run frequent buses into the centre. See our getting around Durham guide for the details. The regatta is busy, so allow time, arrive early for a good spot, and dress for a day by the river.

Rowing on the Wear all year

The regatta is the showpiece, but rowing is part of everyday Durham. The university and college crews train on the river through the year, Durham Amateur Rowing Club runs learn-to-row courses for newcomers, and a walk along the banks will almost always turn up a boat or two on the water. For more on keeping active in the city, see our guide to sport and fitness in Durham, and the best walks in and around Durham for the riverside paths that give the best views of the crews.