The Boat Race

The annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge universities is this weekend. The Race takes place close to Easter each year on the River Thames in West London between Putney and Mortlake.

The first race took place in 1829 in Henley on Thames following a challenge between old school friends. Since the second race in 1836 the contest has taken place in London.

The 2013 Race on Easter Sunday March 31st will be the 159th contest; Cambridge lead the series with 81 victories to Oxford's 76, with one dead-heat in 1877.

We currently have a good selection of rowing prints in stock depicting not only the boat race but also rowing in Oxford and Eton.

With it set to be one of the coldest March days on record for the boat race, this picture of rowing practice on a frozen Thames may not be as far fetched as it looks