Punting on the River Cam — The Backs
No visit to Cambridge is complete without seeing the city from the water. The stretch of the River Cam known as 'the Backs' — where the gardens and rear facades of the most famous colleges tumble down to the riverbank — is the most beautiful mile of urban waterway in England, and a chauffeured punt is the most civilised way to experience it. King's College Chapel, the Mathematical Bridge and the B
The Backs by Punt
The Backs runs from Magdalene Bridge in the north to Silver Street Bridge in the south, with the rear gardens of colleges including King's, Clare, Trinity and St John's opening directly onto the river. On a sunny day the lawns are impossibly green, the willows trail in the water and the Gothic stonework glows — it is the scene that has made Cambridge famous worldwide.
A chauffeured punt means a trained guide does all the work with the pole while you sit back, listen to stories about the colleges and their famous alumni, and take photographs. Guided tours typically last around 45 minutes to an hour and depart from several landing stages near Silver Street Bridge and Magdalene Bridge, both within easy walking distance of Market Square.
If you prefer to self-hire a punt and navigate independently, that option is widely available — but most first-timers discover quickly that punting looks considerably easier than it is. Going early in the morning or in the early evening avoids the notorious midday 'punt-lock' when the river becomes gridlocked with tourists.
Combining Punting with the Rest of Your Day
The punting landing stages near Silver Street Bridge are a five-minute walk from Market Square, making it easy to combine a morning at the market with an afternoon on the water. After your punt, the walk back along the Backs footpath — on the bank itself, through the college grounds — is one of the great free strolls in England.
May to September is peak season for punting, with long days and warm weather. December is surprisingly atmospheric too, with mist on the water and the distant sound of carol services drifting from the chapels. Book a guided tour in advance during summer weekends, when spots fill up fast.
Punting on the River Cam — The Backs on video
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