Cambridge Punting Tour: River Cam & College Backs 45 mins

Float the Backs: Cambridge's Colleges from the Water

You board a shared punt and float the River Cam's most famous mile, passing Trinity, King's College Chapel, the Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge while a guide explains the history and architecture of each college. Historical commentary from your guide comes with the trip, so you learn the stories as you float.

Step-by-step itinerary

Shared guided punting tour highlights

• Board shared punting boat
• Pass Magdalene College and oldest bridge
• See riverside college buildings and gardens
• Pass under historic Bridge of Sighs
• View Trinity College Library
• Pass oldest riverside college and hear history
• See King's College Chapel and learn history
• View Queens' College and Mathematical Bridge
• Hear story of wooden Mathematical Bridge
• Learn about richest college, Trinity College
• Float along 1-mile stretch of River Cam
• Admire the college backs in full glory

The experience

You've just arrived in Cambridge, or you have a free afternoon between college visits. Either way, you have a few hours to fill and no car. A shared punting tour on the River Cam solves that problem without taking up your whole day. The boats leave on schedule, no waiting around for stragglers, and you're in a flat-bottomed punt with a handful of other visitors and a guide who knows the colleges inside out.

The route follows the mile of river known as the Backs, where the famous college buildings line the water. You'll float past Magdalene College and the site of Cambridge's oldest bridge, then move into the heart of it: Trinity College Library, King's College Chapel rising above the river, and the Mathematical Bridge at Queens' College, where the guide tells you about the college's former students. The guide points things out and answers questions as you drift: the history of each college, the alumni, the architecture, the small details that make Cambridge what it is. You pass under the Bridge of Sighs, which is smaller and more intimate than you'd expect from a boat.

The whole thing is short enough that you're not sitting still for hours, but you're also not rushing. It's enough time to actually absorb what you're seeing instead of just snapping photos. The guide does the work of explaining. You just listen and look. Strollers can stay at the desk if you're traveling with small children, and the boat station can help less mobile passengers board. Just don't arrive late: boats leave at their scheduled times.

What’s included

Your 45-minute tour includes a knowledgeable guide who explains the history, architecture and stories of each college and bridge you pass on the River Cam, from Magdalene College and Trinity to King's College Chapel and the Bridge of Sighs. The guide answers questions about the colleges, the university and the town as you float the 1-mile Backs stretch.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 18:00Last departure this season: 3 Jan 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (16 to 70 years) · Senior (71 and older) · Youth (11 to 15 years) · Child (2 to 10 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 12 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Cambridge Punt Company

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Cambridge's most famous colleges from the water without arranging your own boat or spending hours on a longer excursion: the short shared tour fits easily between other plans.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 15 years); Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Is this tour private or shared?

It's a shared tour with other customers in the same punt. Not a private boat.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

Strollers and wheelchairs cannot be taken on board, but can be left at the desk. The boat station can assist less mobile passengers with boarding.

What colleges do we see?

You'll pass Magdalene College, Trinity College, King's College, and Queens' College, plus landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs, Mathematical Bridge, and King's College Chapel.

Do I need to know about Cambridge beforehand?

No. The guide provides all the historical context and details about the colleges, bridges and buildings as you float past them.

Is this suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. The boat station can assist with boarding for less mobile passengers, though wheelchairs must be left ashore.