Cambridge: Punting Tour with College Backs & Famous Bridges

Summary

Cambridge riverside by punt past colleges bridges and chapels

You’ll float quietly along Cambridge’s historic College Backs by punt, passing under bridges like Mathematical Bridge and Bridge of Sighs while your local guide shares stories. Warm up with blankets or hot water bottles if it’s cold, watch students along the banks, and see King’s College Chapel from a new angle—the kind of view that lingers after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We were already drifting under low branches when I realized how quiet the River Cam gets, even with a dozen punts gliding around. Our guide—Tom, I think—wore this wool cap that looked like it’d seen a few winters. He pointed out the Mathematical Bridge at Queens’ College and told us the story about it being built without nails (which apparently isn’t true, but he grinned like he wished it was). The water was cold enough that my fingers tingled when I trailed them over the side. There’s something about seeing King’s College Chapel from below, all that stone and stained glass just hanging above you. I didn’t expect to feel so small in the middle of a city.

We passed under the Bridge of Sighs at St John’s—everyone craned their necks for photos but honestly, I just liked watching the way sunlight hit the old brickwork. Some students waved from the banks, cups of coffee steaming in their hands. Tom handed me a blanket (it was April but still chilly) and said they keep hot water bottles on board in winter. There was this moment where everything went quiet except for ducks arguing nearby—no traffic sounds, just voices echoing off the river walls. It felt like we’d slipped into some slower version of Cambridge that only exists on water.

The whole punting tour took about 45 minutes but time sort of folded in on itself—I kept thinking we’d only just started when we pulled back to the station near Mill Lane. You can hop on from two spots in the city centre; both are easy to find if you’re wandering near the Backs. I’m not sure why floating past centuries-old colleges feels so different than walking them, but it does. Maybe it’s just that you’re moving at river pace instead of tourist pace, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Shared punting tour in Cambridge

• Start at city centre punt station
• See College Backs on River Cam
• Pass Queens' College and Mathematical Bridge
• View King's College Chapel
• Pass Bridge of Sighs at St. John's College
• Return to punt station

Top questions

How long is the Cambridge punting tour?

The shared punting tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Where does the punting tour start and finish?

Your start and finish point will be one of two punt stations located in Cambridge city centre.

What famous sights do you see during the punting tour?

You’ll see King’s College Chapel, Mathematical Bridge at Queens’ College, and the Bridge of Sighs at St John’s College.

Are blankets or hot water bottles provided on cold days?

Yes, woollen blankets are always available and hot water bottles are provided during winter months.

Is this punting tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; infants must sit on an adult's lap.

Can wheelchairs or strollers get onto the punt?

Yes, there is a wheelchair and stroller ramp available at Mill Lane punt station (CB2 1RS).

Does this shared punting experience include a local guide?

Yes, your sightseeing cruise is guided by a local who shares stories along the way.

What happens if weather conditions are bad?

The tour operates in all weather; umbrellas are provided. If river conditions are unsafe and your trip is canceled, you can choose another date or get a full refund.

What’s included

Your shared sightseeing cruise includes a local guide steering your punt along Cambridge’s College Backs with stops for stories at famous bridges and chapels; you’ll have access to woollen blankets year-round plus hot water bottles in winter, umbrellas if needed for rain, and easy boarding for strollers or wheelchairs at Mill Lane station.