As the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race brings crowds to Putney’s waterfront, one local fixture is marking nearly four decades of riverside tradition. Donna of Donna’s Place has served coffee, burgers, and warm smiles on the riverbank for 39 Boat Races—and counting.
Her very first race-day service was in 1986. “I know because my daughter turns 40 this year and I was pregnant with her at the time,” Donna told Putney.news. “This is our 39th Boat Race.”
The family-run stall hasn’t been without its challenges. When they were briefly removed from their riverside pitch, Donna remembers the strong local support that helped them return. “We were off the river for eight months,” she said. “But I have to say, Wandsworth Council were very supportive in the end. You know, people always say the council’s a load of rubbish—but sometimes, they’re not.”
Donna’s Place is more than just a food stand. It’s a hub for the community. “We do a lot of fundraising—during COVID, Ukraine, all sorts. Our customers are super generous,” she said. The stall also offers work to young people in the local theatre scene. “They’re out-of-work actors—kids who used to live with me when I worked on Billy Elliot the Musical. If they need weekend work, they come here.”
As for advice to visitors coming to the race? “Just enjoy the day—it’ll be busy, but that’s part of the fun.”
After 39 years, Donna’s Place is still going strong—serving more than just coffee and burgers, but also memories, connection, and a proud slice of Putney tradition.
