Punting in Cambridge: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Planning to go punting in Cambridge? Here’s everything you should know before getting on the River Cam, from shared vs private tours, where to book and whether it’s actually worth it.

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I’ve been back to Cambridge several times since I first moved to England, and the river is still one of my favourite parts of the city.

You can spend all morning walking past college gates and staring up at King’s College Chapel, but once you’re on the River Cam the view changes completely.

Lawns open up, bridges appear between the trees and you suddenly see why the river is such a big part of the city (especially paired with a drink at The Anchor afterwards).

But what about when you’re ready to take on the punt for yourself?

Don’t worry, here’s everything to know about punting for your Cambridge trip.

Shall we?

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Quick Overview: Punting in Cambridge

Question	What I’d know before booking
Best first-time option	A chauffeured shared punt tour through the College Backs
Typical guided tour length	About 45–60 minutes
Shared or private?	Shared for couples/small groups; private when you want the whole boat or have a bigger group
Can you self-punt?	Yes—but steering a Cambridge punt is harder than it looks
Where do tours go?	Usually through the famous College Backs past riverside colleges and bridges
Best time of year	Late spring to early autumn for weather; winter is quieter but more weather-dependent
Should you book ahead?	Yes for weekends, summer and a specific departure time
My first-trip booking pick	Shared River Tour by University Student Guides

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What Is a Punt?

A punt, as they say, is a long, flat-bottomed boat that moves with a pole rather than oars. In short, if you’re the ‘punter’ you’ll stand at the back, plant the pole against the riverbed and push the boat forward—an action that looks suspiciously effortless until you try doing it yourself… (trust me).

Punts arrived in Cambridge as pleasure craft at the start of the 20th century. Scudamore’s was founded in 1910, and punting slowly but surely turned into the pastime and Cambridge institution you see today.

If you’re interested in some Cambridge/Oxford rivalry, you should know that in Cambridge punters traditionally stand on the flat deck at the rear, while punters in Oxford traditionally use the other end. Wonderfully niche, but there you go.

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Is Punting in Cambridge Worth It?

Yes. And I say that as someone who usually gets suspicious when one activity becomes the thing every tourist is told they have to do.

Punting is different because the river gives you views you genuinely can’t reproduce by walking around central Cambridge. On land, a lot of the university is walls, gates and courtyards. On the Cam, you’ll get the backs of the colleges, the lawns and the bridges in one continuous stretch.

It’s also a very good way to slow the day down. My Cambridge day-trip itinerary is naturally quite full—museum, colleges, food, a climb up Great St Mary’s and plenty more from my best things to do in Cambridge guide—so finishing with 45–60 minutes where somebody else does the steering is rather nice.

If you hate boats, are really pushed for time or simply don’t want to spend the money, I’d still go down to the river and watch. Standing on Silver Street Bridge or sitting outside The Anchor while the punts pass gives you a surprising amount of the atmosphere for free.

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Shared vs Private vs Self-Hire Punting in Cambridge

Before I compare companies, I’d choose what boat you’re after. For one or two people, shared is usually the obvious place to start. But once you’re filling half a punt, private pricing deserves a closer look.

Shared Punting Tours

A shared punting tour is what I’d choose for a first visit if you’re travelling solo, as a couple or in a small group. You’ll get the main College Backs route and a chauffeur-guide, but share the boat with other bookings instead of paying for the whole punt. Usually around 45–60 minutes.

Private Punting Tours

For a family, birthday or larger group, private punting is mostly great for having the boat to yourselves. Many of the larger tour punts hold up to 12 passengers, and you’ll get the same College Backs sights, but with more space and a guide who can shape the commentary around your group’s interests.

Self-Hire Punting

Self-hire is the fun choice if you actually want to punt rather than sit in one. I’d just go into it knowing that the pole is much less cooperative than it looks.

Scudamore’s College Backs self-hire currently has 60-minute rentals on offer, and Granta Moorings has hourly self-rental with tuition and buoyancy aids. There’s also a rather Cambridge-specific option at Trinity College: a public self-hire scheme that runs from Good Friday to the end of October on a first-come-first-served basis for £24.

My take: For a first trip, take a shared chauffeured tour. If you’re a group of six-ish or more, compare private options. And if you’re feeling competitive and happy to spend half the ride learning how not to rotate in circles? Self-hire.

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The Punting Tour I’d Book for a First Visit

For a first Cambridge punting tour, I’d keep it simple and book a shared chauffeured route through the College Backs.

The Shared River Tour by University Student Guides runs with the Granta Moorings university-student crew and takes around 50–60 minutes. The route includes eight riverside colleges as well as the Bridge of Sighs at St John’s College and King’s College Chapel.

For a first day, it’s just enough commentary to know what you’re looking at, minus wrestling with the pole (and landing back on dry land in about an hour).

If the student-guided departure times don’t work for you, I’d also compare this Guided River Cam Punting Tour.

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What Do You See on a Cambridge Punt Tour?

Cambridge’s punting claim to fame is the College Backs: the stretch of the River Cam running behind several of the University of Cambridge’s historic colleges.

Your guide will have their own stories for each, but the route tends to include landmarks like King’s College Chapel, St John’s College and the Bridge of Sighs, Trinity College’s Wren Library, and Queens’ College and the Mathematical Bridge, to name a few.

Also worth noting—the six licensed punting stations run from Jesus Green down to Granta Moorings near Sheep’s Green: La Mimosa/Jesus Green, Quayside, Trinity College, Mill Pond on Silver Street, Mill Lane and the Granta mill pond. If you’re being sold punting tickets by a street tout near King’s Parade or Market Square, steer clear!

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How Much Does Punting in Cambridge Cost?

There isn’t one single Cambridge punting price as most companies use dynamic pricing that moves with the season, day of the week, departure time and whether you book online. But here’s a rough idea to plan for your trip.

Punt company	Shared tour	Private / self-hire example	Typical guided length
Cambridge Punt Company	Adults from £15	Private from £120 per boat	About 50 mins
Scholars Punting Cambridge	From £20	Private from £70	About 45 mins
Granta Moorings	Adults from £24 online	Private from £140; self-hire £38/hour	50–60 mins
Traditional Punting Company	Shared options from £20	Private from £79	About 50 mins
Scudamore’s Punting Company	Shared from £41	Self-hire from £28.50/60 mins	About 45 mins
Trinity College Punt Scheme	—	Public self-hire £24/hour	Self-hire only

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Which Cambridge Punt Company Should You Choose?

Honestly, I wouldn’t overcomplicate this bit. Instead, first just make sure you’re with a licensed punt operator, then choose your departure point from there. Off you go!

Scudamore’s is the historic name, founded in 1910, and covers chauffeured College Backs tours, self-hire, Grantchester hire and special experiences.

Granta Moorings is the one I’d look at if you specifically like the university-student-guide angle or want the option to self-hire towards the colleges or Grantchester.

Scholars Punting Cambridge runs shared and private tours in traditional punts and also offers picnic add-ons, while Traditional Punting Company has a large choice of shared/private and occasion-led tours.

Cambridge Punt Company is a smaller operator based by Jesus Green, while Let’s Go Punting also runs 50-minute shared and private College Backs tours from the Jesus Green side.

Personally, if you want to keep it easy, I’d book this 50-minute punting tour by Cambridge students.

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How Long Is Punting in Cambridge?

A standard guided College Backs experience is only about 45–60 minutes on the water, plus check-in time, which is precisely why it works so well inside a one-day Cambridge itinerary.

Self-hire, on the other hand, can be much longer—usually from 60 minutes up to three hours, or even a half-day if you head to Grantchester.

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When Is the Best Time to Go Punting?

Personally, I’d recommend punting in Cambridge from late spring through early autumn. May and June give you green banks and long evenings; September has the same river views with fewer peak-summer crowds and lovely autumn views.

In July and August, I’d book an earlier or later departure rather than aiming straight for the busiest part of the afternoon. In winter, you can punt, but be prepared for last-minute changes due to the weather.

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Do You Need to Book Punting in Cambridge in Advance?

You can often book punting in Cambridge on the day, but I wouldn’t build an important part of your itinerary around that in summer or on a Saturday.

With pre-booking, you’ll know your departure time, can compare shared and private prices without somebody selling to you on the street, and can often save money by booking online.

Personally, I’d check this Guided River Cam Punting Tour for your date. If you want to keep things spontaneous, check live availability that morning and then book before leaving your Cambridge hotel rather than waiting until you’re standing beside the river.

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Punting in Cambridge With Children, Babies or Dogs

Punting can work very well with children given that, once everyone’s seated, there’s not much to do.

But rules vary by punt company, so check the one you’re booking. Scholars currently allows babies and dogs, with children accompanied by adults and lifejackets available for children on request. Cambridge Punt Company also welcomes children and friendly dogs.

If you’re bringing a dog on a shared punting tour, I’d check the small print before booking—some companies require the other passengers to be comfortable with it. But that’s where a private tour comes in too.

What About Accessibility?

Since the boats sit low in the water, boarding can involve stepping down and isn’t always perfectly accessible. I’d contact the company before paying so they can talk you through the exact landing stage, boarding process and what assistance is available.

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Can You Do Punting in Cambridge With Afternoon Tea?

Scudamore Afternoon Tea & Punting

Yes! Scudamore’s in particular does a lovely afternoon tea and punting package combining a 60-minute private punt with afternoon tea at Garden House beside the river.

Just bear in mind there’s a seven-person minimum charge! For a couple or smaller group, Scholars’ picnic add-on is the more flexible one to check, with cream tea, sandwiches and cake available from a minimum of two people.

Or keep it simpler and build your own river day: pick up a Chelsea bun from one of my favourite Cambridge cafés, do your punt, then go for a meal using my Cambridge restaurant guide.

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What Should You Wear and Bring to Punting?

• Flat shoes with grip. Especially for boarding…
• An extra layer. It can feel cooler sitting still on the water than walking through town.
• A waterproof jacket. Many chauffeured punts carry umbrellas and blankets, but I’d still bring my own layer.
• Your camera or phone. A lot of the best College Backs views (and photos) are directly from the boat.
• Snacks if your operator allows them. Several allow you to bring food on board, and a little punting picnic is never a bad idea.

And remember, if you’re on a guided tour, it’ll be about an hour, so don’t overpack!

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Where to Park for Punting in Cambridge

If you’re starting your punt near Jesus Green or Quayside, Park Street car park would be your best bet.

That said, Cambridge city-centre parking gets expensive quickly. If punting is part of a full sightseeing day, I’d seriously consider Park & Ride / Cambridge’s wider parking options or arrive by train instead.

If you’re coming from London, the easiest version is still train + walking. My London-to-Cambridge day-trip guide has the full route, and once you’re in the centre almost everything around the river is walkable.

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How I’d Fit Punting Into a Cambridge Day

I like punting late afternoon rather than first thing, mainly because Cambridge is so good on foot in the morning.

Start with the Fitzwilliam Museum, work north through the colleges and Cambridge’s main sights, stop for lunch or a coffee, then head to the river once you’re ready to sit down for a bit.

Afterwards, stay near the Cam for a drink or dinner, or wander back through King’s Parade once some of the day-trippers have gone. If you’re staying overnight, you can do this far more slowly with my 2-day Cambridge itinerary.

And if Cambridge is your base for more than a weekend, save the following day for one of my day trips from Cambridge.

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Final Thoughts on Punting in Cambridge

Punting gets marketed so heavily in Cambridge that it would be easy to write it off as the obvious tourist thing. I wouldn’t.

What won me over is that the view really is different, and beautiful!

For a first visit, I’d book a shared guided punt tour, give yourself about an hour, and treat it as part of the day rather than your whole Cambridge experience.

And if you’re still deciding whether Cambridge deserves the trip at all, read my is Cambridge worth visiting guide. I keep going back for a reason…

Happy travels,

Candace x

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FAQ: Punting in Cambridge

What Is Punting in Cambridge?

Punting is the term for travelling along the River Cam in a flat-bottomed punt propelled with a long pole. A very Cambridge thing to do!

Is Punting in Cambridge Worth It?

Yes, especially on a first visit. The College Backs give you river views of King’s, St John’s, Trinity and other colleges that you simply can’t reproduce from the main streets. If your budget is tight, watching the punts from Silver Street Bridge or beside The Anchor is the next-best option.

How Much Does Punting in Cambridge Cost?

Prices vary by company, season, day and departure time, but shared tours can start at roughly £15–£24 with some operators, private tours at around £70–£140, and self-hire at about £24–£38 for an hour. Always check the live booking page because Cambridge punting prices are dynamic.

How Long Does Punting in Cambridge Take?

Most standard guided punting tours last around 45–60 minutes. Self-hire can range from an hour to several hours depending on the route and operator.

Where Does Punting Start in Cambridge?

Licensed stations include Jesus Green/La Mimosa, Quayside, Trinity College, Mill Pond on Silver Street, Mill Lane and Granta Moorings. Check the meeting point on your actual ticket because the start location depends on the punt company.

Can You Book Punting in Cambridge on the Day?

Often, yes, if there is availability. I’d still book ahead for summer, weekends or a specific time. Online booking can also be cheaper than walk-up rates.

Is Punting in Cambridge All Year Round?

Yes, several companies operate all year, but winter opening is weather-dependent and daylight hours are shorter. If you take a chauffeured punt, operators usually provide blankets and umbrellas.

Can You Self-Punt in Cambridge?

Yes. Companies including Scudamore’s and Granta Moorings currently offer self-hire, and Trinity College runs seasonal public self-hire on a first-come-first-served basis. Check whether your booking is for the College Backs or Grantchester route before setting off.

Can Children and Babies Go Punting in Cambridge?

Yes, with several operators, although children must be supervised and age/passenger-count rules vary. If you’re travelling with a baby or want a lifejacket for a child, check the specific company before booking.

Can Dogs Go Punting in Cambridge?

Many companies allow well-behaved dogs. Shared tours can have extra conditions because other passengers may need to agree, so private punting is the easiest option if your dog is definitely coming.

Can You Do Punting in Cambridge With Afternoon Tea?

Yes. Scudamore’s currently combines a private punt tour with afternoon tea at Garden House, although the package has a seven-person minimum charge. Scholars offers a more flexible picnic/cream-tea add-on.

Where Should You Book Punting in Cambridge?

Book directly with a licensed operator or through a verified tour platform. Avoid street touts trying to sell you punting tickets around King’s Parade and Market Square!

Where Should You Park for Punting in Cambridge?

It depends on your departure point. Park Street car park is handy for Jesus Green and Quayside. For a full day in Cambridge, Park & Ride can be better value than leaving the car in a central short-stay car park for hours.

Is Punting Better in Oxford or Cambridge?

For punting specifically, I prefer Cambridge because the College Backs route is so central to the city’s identity. Oxford has its own punting tradition, but it feels more like one activity among many. If you’re choosing between the two cities overall, use my Oxford or Cambridge comparison.

Where Can You Watch Punting in Cambridge Without Booking?

Silver Street Bridge and the riverside around Mill Pond are easy central places to watch. I also love the terrace at The Anchor, where punts pass directly in front of you.

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