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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 04 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Annabelle Thorpe

No visit to Cambridge is complete without an hour or two gliding along the River Cam in a punt – a long, slim boat rather like a Viennese gondola. First introduced to Cambridge in Edwardian times, punting has become an iconic pastime in the city.

It’s also the best way to enjoy the spectacular architecture of the university colleges and the ‘backs’ – the gardens that stretch from the colleges down to the river.

Price from: £20
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 6+
When: All year around
Duration: 2 hours

Getting there & doing it

There are two options; you can either punt yourself – which involves propelling the boat along by plunging and pulling a ten-foot pole in and out of the water – or hire a crewed boat. If you’ve never punted before, or simply want to sit back and enjoy the experience, this is the better option – the river can get quite crowded, and it’s far more relaxing to be in the hands of an experienced crew,

Several companies operate along the riverbank – book in advance, or turn up and hire for an hour or more (on weekends and in the summer, it’s worth pre-booking).

Hire a punt in the afternoon and head upriver for afternoon tea in the shady riverside garden of the Granchester Tearooms, once home to the poet Rupert Brooke.

When to do it

Punts are available to hire all year round; the river gets very busy in the summer months, and week days are always quieter. 

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Shared Guided Punting Tour of Cambridge

Shared Guided Punting Tour of Cambridge

Cambridge

****This Tour is SHARED with other customers - NOT A PRIVATE TOUR**** Boats leave at the scheduled times. LATE ARRIVALS WILL BE REQUIRED TO...

£15 | Rating 4.83 / 5 [179 ratings]

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Shared | Cambridge University Punting Tour Led By Local University Students

Shared | Cambridge University Punting Tour Led By Local University Students

Cambridge

On this 50-minute shared punting tour in Cambridge your local student-guide will give live commentary as you glide along the River Cam past ...

£26 | Rating 4.61 / 5 [172 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Shared Punt Tour - Cambridge

Shared Punt Tour - Cambridge

Cambridge

Customers can purchase tickets for up to 3 or 6 people on a shared tour. Enjoy the College Backs of Cambridge on a guided punt tour. Up to 3...

£40 | Rating 4.89 / 5 [370 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Shared | Cambridge Alumni-Led Walking & Punting Tour W/ Opt King's College Entry

Shared | Cambridge Alumni-Led Walking & Punting Tour W/ Opt King's College Entry

Cambridge

This combined package has it all. Enjoy a graduate-led walking tour & punting tour showing you the most famous and prestigious Cambridge Uni...

£46 | Rating 4.72 / 5 [411 ratings]

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Varsity Hotel & Spa

Cambridge , Cambridgeshire , United Kingdom (UK)[0.1 miles]

A buzzy riverside bolthole, with two of Cambridge’s most popular restaurants and an Elemis spa in a cleverly-converted warehouse. 

Official star rating:

Duke House

Cambridge , Cambridgeshire , United Kingdom (UK)[0.8 miles]

Elegant rooms, a convenient central location and a warm personal welcome make this lovely Victorian house the best B&B in town. 

Official star rating:

University Arms

Cambridge , Cambridgeshire , United Kingdom (UK)[1 miles]

A re-imagined Victorian hotel, with one of the city’s best restaurants and elegant rooms with a Modern British design.

Official star rating:

Hotel du Vin Cambridge

Cambridge , Cambridgeshire , United Kingdom (UK)[1.2 miles]

A beautifully converted former university building, serving up Hotel du Vin’s classic brand of hedonistic charm, with a buzzing bistro and predictably excellent wine cellar. 

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Cambridge

Cambridgeshire , United Kingdom (UK)

A picturesque, charming city steeped in learning, architecture and history. It’s home to two world-class art museums and one of the world’s oldest and most famous universities.

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Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Kettle’s Yard art gallery

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.2 miles]

An impressive collection of 20th-century art, including works by Joan Miro, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, housed in the collector’s former home.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Cambridge University Colleges

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.6 miles]

One of the world’s most illustrious universities, Cambridge consists of 31 magnificent colleges rich in history, architecture and stories, most open to the public.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Fitzwilliam Museum

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[1.1 miles]

A world-class collection of art and architecture, ranging from illuminated manuscripts to sculptures from Ancient Greece.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[2 miles]

A leading centre for horticultural research for 175 years, the Botanic Gardens is home to over 8,000 different plant species, with Mediterranean gardens and flower-filled glasshouses.

Best for ages: 10+ | £6

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

View of the River Cam and the Bridge of Sighs
Experience

Bridge of Sighs

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.2 miles]

Queen Victoria was said to have loved this elegant, covered bridge more than any other spot in the city. Straddling the Cam between the Third and New Courts at St. John’s College, it dates back to 1831.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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View of St. Mary's Church on a clear day in Cambridge
Experience

Climb St. Mary’s Church Tower

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 miles]

Climb the 123 steps to the top of St. Mary’s Tower for lovely, 360-degree views of the city’s rooftops, and to see the unique architecture of the colleges from above.

Best for ages: 6+ | Free

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Overhead shot of colourful market stall awnings in the centre of Cambridge
Experience

Market Square

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 miles]

Traders have been running stalls on the city’s central square since the Middle Ages, and today visitors can buy everything from fresh food to jewellery, clothes, books and second-hand music.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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View of St. John's College chapel
Experience

King’s College Chapel

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.6 miles]

Perhaps the most famous of all the university buildings is King’s College Chapel, founded in 1441 by King Henry VI. The 12 large stained-glass windows on each side of the chapel are considered some of the finest in the world.

Best for ages: 18+ | £10

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Overview >