Bucket list experience:
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)
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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.
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Destination Guide >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.
Punts are available to hire all year round; the river gets very busy in the summer months, and week days are always quieter.
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
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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Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.2 miles]
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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.
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Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.2 miles]
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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.
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Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 miles]
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Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.6 miles]
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