What to enjoy at the Dartmouth Regatta
What is the Dartmouth Regatta?
‘The earliest recorded regatta in Dartmouth was in 1822. There were three sailing races and one six-oared gig race. A military band was recorded as playing out at Dartmouth Castle and a ball took place with 120 in attendance.
In 1834 the Dartmouth Regatta was officially formed, when the leading gentlemen of the neighbourhood, and inhabitants of the town called a meeting and elected a committee of their own.
In 1856 it became a Royal Regatta when Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales came into Dartmouth in a flotilla of nine boats on an unscheduled visit because of bad weather, arriving the day before the regatta started on 11 August'
And now...'Dartmouth Regatta is a whole week of entertainment and is free to attend…There are over 250 sailing yachts entered for the racing in Start Bay. There are over 300 races and events during Regatta week including 50 rowing heats and races with around 600 competitors.’ - Dartmouth Regatta.
Why we choose to trade here:
Dartmouth is a beautiful setting with an upbeat atmosphere. We felt the unique blend of competitive spirit in a festival style environment was something we had to be a part of. This is the first time Luma Eyewear has attended the Dartmouth Regatta and we will definitely return. The Dartmouth culture brings the event together and we loved meeting so many locals who are proud of the historic significance of the regatta.
Interesting people / brands we met:
- Salcombe Gin: A local distillery offering tastings and cocktails inspired by the maritime heritage of the region. It really is the tastiest gin around!
- Dartmouth Yacht Club: Hosts and organisers of various sailing events during the regatta, providing friendly and knowledgeable insights into the local sailing scene.
- Toms Trunks: This year the Tom’s Trunks owner is completing an ultramarathon in Kenya to raise money to save the rhinos!
Insider tips / what to catch next time:
- Take a riverboat cruise to get an up-close view of the sailing races; it is a fantastic way to experience the regatta from the water.
- Don’t miss the weekend firework displays – It is a great way to finish the day and watch the firework reflections over the water.
The best things to see at the Dartmouth Regatta:
Getting caught up in the thrill of the rowing races was a clear highlight for the Luma team. But also, the support and friendliness of other traders. Each evening we were invited to join together to watch the fireworks and relax after a busy day.
Lastly, the range of food stalls and tasting stands! This really helped to keep us going and made for excellent daily treats.
