Punting tour Cambridge: Seven colleges on the River Cam

Seven college backs in one afternoon on the water

A shared punting tour on the River Cam in Cambridge takes you past the backs of seven colleges (Magdalene, St John's, Trinity, Clare, King's, Queens' and Trinity Hall) on a two-mile stretch guided by someone who knows the river and its history. You choose the group size at checkout (up to 2, 3 or 6 people), and the 50-minute route is the same for all: under bridges, past gardens and chapels, with stories about the scholars and royals who studied there. Boats are sanitized before every departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Shared punting tour along River Cam

• Pass Magdalene College and Quayside
• Go under Bridge of Sighs and see Wedding Cake Building
• Pass Wren Library and travel under Trinity Bridge
• Pass Trinity Hall College and under Garret Hostel Bridge
• Pass Clare College and Clare College Gardens
• Travel under Clare Bridge and learn history
• Pass King's College Chapel and Gibbs Building
• Pass Queens' College and under Mathematical Bridge
• Turn at Silver Street Bridge and return

The experience

The punt starts at Magdalene College and moves downstream past Quayside, where you'll hear about Cambridge's trading past before ducking under the Bridge of Sighs. That's the entrance to the tighter, older colleges: the Wedding Cake Building (New Court) comes next, then Trinity College with its Wren library and the story of the royals who studied there. Trinity Hall and Garret Hostel Bridge follow. That bridge is the only public footbridge along this stretch of river.

Clare College and its gardens occupy both banks. The gardens are the most scenic in Cambridge and graduates have the right to marry there. You'll pass under Clare Bridge and hear the history of all three before reaching King's College Chapel, which is the largest stone-vaulted chapel in the world. The Gibbs Building and King's Bridge come next, then Queens' College and the famous Mathematical Bridge (originally wooden, now stone). The punt turns at Silver Street Bridge and heads back the way it came.

A live guide narrates the whole route in English. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller and must sit on an adult's lap. Service animals are allowed. Public transport stops are nearby if you need them. The boats are sanitized before every tour.

What’s included

• Live guide in English narrating the route.
• sanitized boats before every departure.
• access to the two-mile stretch of the River Cam past seven college backs.

Options for this experience

3 options

Covers a group of 2 people at mostUp to 2 people · Guide in English · No fixed timeShared tour for up to 2 people: a 50-minute chauffeured punt trip along the College backs

Accommodates as many as 3 peopleUp to 3 people · Guide in English · No fixed timeShared tour for up to 3 people: a 50-minute chauffeured punt trip along the College backs

Up to 6 peopleUp to 6 people · Guide in English · No fixed timeShared tour for up to 6 people: a 50-minute chauffeured punt trip along the College backs

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Cantonese and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Traditional Punting Company

Is this one for you?Book for a group of two, three or six depending on who's traveling with you. The shared format keeps the price down while the live guide handles the punting, so you can focus on the colleges and bridges passing by.

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Top questions

What colleges do you pass on a Cambridge punting tour?

The tour passes seven colleges along the backs of the River Cam: Magdalene, St John's, Trinity, Clare, King's, Queens' and Trinity Hall. You'll also see Trinity Hall and pass under Garret Hostel Bridge, the only public footbridge on this stretch of river.

How long is the punting tour on the River Cam?

The tour lasts 50 minutes and covers a two-mile stretch of the river, starting at Magdalene College and turning back at Silver Street Bridge near Queens' College.

Can you bring children or babies on the punt?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants must sit on an adult's lap. Children need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Service animals are also allowed.

What is the Mathematical Bridge on the River Cam?

The Mathematical Bridge is the famous bridge you pass near Queens' College. It was originally built as a wooden bridge and is now made of stone. The tour guide will explain its history as you pass under it.

How many people can book a shared punting tour?

You choose your group size when you book: up to 2 people, up to 3 people, or up to 6 people per ticket. All groups follow the same route with the same live guide.

Is the punting tour suitable for people with different fitness levels?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You're sitting in the punt while the guide does the punting, so no physical effort is required from passengers. Public transport options are available nearby if you need them to reach the starting point.