Elvet is an area of the city of
Durham, in
County Durham, in
England. It is situated on the opposite side of the
River Wear from
Durham Cathedral and forms the south-eastern part of central Durham. Elvet is currently
unparished. Historically, the word 'elvet' is a word meaning '
swan' or 'swan-stream' from the
Old English elfetu or
ilfetu. The public house 'The Swan and Three Cygnets' on Elvet Bridge, is a reminder of the historical name given to this part of Durham City.