
Cambridge Punting
Information about Cambridge Punting
Opening hours
We are open 7 days a week and operate in daylight hours Often from 09:15 to 18:15 - but even longer in summer!Cambridge Punting Company is an authorized and fully insured Traditional Cambridge Punting Company providing Punting Tours on the River Cam.
We are locals who know Cambridge and its history inside out. We are specialists in chauffeured tours and have been running punting tours for over 15 years.
We have the capability to take 100 passengers simultaneously so don’t worry if you’re a large group. Our tours depart and return to Jesus Green, please see our location here. Our Cambridge punting tours are 50 minutes in duration and you will see 7 Colleges and 9 bridges along the route.
Punting in Cambridge has been a favourite pastime in the UK since the 19th century. The reason it is still popular in Cambridge is due to the immense relaxation and peacefulness it brings to the mind of the traveller. Even before the 19th century punting had been utilized for fishing and trading purposes.
There are several punting spots in the UK, but the most renowned among them is the punting in Cambridge. The reasons include the numerous scenic locations at every corner of the journey. Some of the world-famous wonders that can be seen along the route include several historic buildings, churches, monuments and bridges.
Many international tourists have made it a point to experience punting in Cambridge every time they visit the UK. The sheer beauty and vibrant ecosystem that one can experience through this trip are truly amazing.
Essentially Cambridge punting can be done by oneself but it best to hire a punter who is familiar with the complex waterways of Cambridge. These proficient punters can offer a smooth boat ride through the River Cam along with an interesting narration of several historical anecdotes surrounding Cambridge.
If you are nervous about boat rides, fear not, as the waters are comparatively shallow and the boat itself is a sturdy and dynamically built craft. It is capable of providing both comfort and safety to the passengers throughout the journey. Moreover, life jackets are available for everyone including the kids, and the punter himself is highly skilled to provide any assistance if required.
Cambridge punting is an incredible tourist attraction by itself, as an exquisite number of magnificent locations and landmarks are covered in this trip.
Each season brings a different perspective to the journey and environment. Everyone should try punting once in a lifetime and enjoy this iconic and spectacular outdoor activity.
Whether you are coming to Cambridge for the day, weekend or you’re a local looking for something a bit different to do, this list has you covered. Cambridge is a bustling city that welcomes thousands of tourists weekly, it is estimated that the city sees around 8 million visitors a year. There are an
At Cambridge Punting, we are here to help you find the easiest way possible to book the best punting in Cambridge tour. We offer multiple booking opportunities which are catered to your best interests!
Is punting worth it? The short answer is yes, definitely, punting’s worth it. Punting is a quintessential British activity, and paired with the atmospheric sights of some of Cambridge University’s most iconic colleges (we are looking at you, Kings College Chapel) it is an almost inevitable must-do on any trip to Cambridge.
Thinking of coming winter punting in Cambridge? Let us explain why this is a must-do this season. Christmas in Cambridge There are two things that Christmas and Cambridge have in common; one, they both start with the letter C; and two, they are both magical.
Punting at Christmas Winter in Cambridge is more like your daily advent calendar that offers something different and unique each day. The curious part is you will never know what the next day provides, but be ready for excitement, especially punting at Christmas. Cambridge In Winter The Cambridge winters offer a heavenly atmosphere anyone falls
Punting became a fun leisure activity on the River Thames in London, but many tourists enjoy Punting in Cambridge because it gives them a chance to see the colleges at Cambridge and Oxford in style while being chauffeured by tour groups or students looking to earn some money outside class. Here is our list o
Our comment from TraTraTravel UK about Cambridge Punting:
Cambridge Punting offers an unforgettable experience on the beautiful River Cam, where visitors can explore the rich history and breathtaking scenery of Cambridge. Many guests have praised their friendly and knowledgeable guides, such as Ralph and Ed, who provide insightful commentary about the stunning landmarks and colleges along the way.
Highlights:
- Engaging and informative guides.
- Beautiful scenery and a serene atmosphere.
- Options for private or shared punting tours.
- Variety of experiences suitable for families, couples, or solo travelers.
While some reviews have mentioned the cost being a bit high, many agreed that the experience is worth every penny, especially considering the knowledgeable guides and the serene ride. Overall, Cambridge Punting provides a perfect blend of fun, relaxation, and learning, making it a must-try for anyone visiting the historic city.
Cambridge Punting: Reviews
Fantastic experience: Had a wonderful time on our punting tour! Thank you to our wonderful guide, Ralph, who did an excellent job providing some history to the beautiful sights. He was very friendly and answered any questions we had to the best of his ability. Highly recommend taking this punting tour!
Positive experience: I'm giving 3 stars because the price was high, and the promised services were not provided. The guide was good—I don't remember his name, but he seemed knowledgeable and was a nice guy.
Thank you for your honesty. What specifically was promised that you did not experience on your tour? We would like to rectify the situation. Feel free to email us at [email protected]
Negative experience: Really grumpy punt guide, not recommended
Please drop us an email at [email protected] to let us know more details. We don't have your name in our system from the date that you messaged - is there a chance that you went with someone else? Feel free to email us at [email protected] so that we can find more details and resolve the matter for you
Positive experience: It’s nice and a very good experience. Try going early in the morning to get good deals.
You are right that the morning bookings are an ideal time to book. We are glad that you are happy with your experience
Fantastic experience: We had one of the best times. The guide was very good. Recommend!
Lovely to read! It means a lot that you had fun with us. We are happy to have hosted you
Fantastic experience: Was an amazing experience, our guide was excellent too, I couldn't remember his name but he is in the photos recommend to everyone
Hi Anastasiya, Thank you for your five star review and for sharing the lovely photographs. It is great to hear you had an amazing time with Alex L as your tour guide. Thank you for your recommendation.
Fantastic experience: It was a very nice experience, must visit and try this and learn about the history of cambridge.
We really appreciate the 5 stars! It means a lot to have received it from you. Many thanks
Fantastic experience: My friend and I spent a wonderful hour today on a shared punting trip along the Backs, piloted by Ed. Staff very kind, helping me climb in and out of the boat. Ed gave us a cheery and interesting commentary throughout on the history of what we were seeing, and was happy to answer our questions. Thank you for a lovely experience!
Thank you so much for the review - Ed will be glad to know that he made an impression on you. Do enjoy your summer and come back again next time!
Fantastic experience: Amazing went with trinity collage punting… beautiful scenery, excellent tour would highly recommend them
Thank you so much for this, it means a lot to have earned 5 stars off you
Fantastic experience: Our guide was brilliant - good fun and informative. Excellent city centre excursion to do.
Thank you so much for the review and 5 stars, we agree that if you are in the city, it's definetly worth having a punting tour experience
Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience, worth every second. It is a perfect way to get to know Cambridge, its rich history and culture. Not only you get to see splendid views but also can hear a lot of interesting stories and facts. I would repeat this tour once again and I recommend it to everyone who visits Cambridge for the first time.
Wow such a lovely read! It meams so much to know that you enjoyed your tour with us. There is so much history to share with our customers and there is nothing we love more than seeing guests engaged and interested in our city. We will be ready and waiting for you to come back!
Fantastic experience: Great experience, the team were very helpful. Thank you
Thank you Emily - we aim to put together the best team out there, we are glad to have helped you have a great experience. We will have to have you back one day
Fantastic experience: Punting tour for my birthday was made extra fun by our informative and friendly guide, Adam. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words - we are happy to have been a part of your birthday celebration. Come back next time too!
Fantastic experience: Had a wonderful time with our guide Zac!He was incredibly knowledgeable and made the ride comfortable and fun. Really recommend this company as the process of boarding and the overall experience was extremely smooth and convenient!
We are happy to have been a part of your Cambridge experience - thank you for leaving us such a positive review. We are very proud of all the staff here so it makes our day to hear that customers appreciate the effort of team members like Zac
Fantastic experience: Fantastic experience with Punting Cambridge! The private tour was serene and absolutely beautiful.
Thank you so much for your kind words and high rating, though there is less sun in winter and spring it does make for a more tranquil trip
Fantastic experience: Perfect experience. Can’t rate the punting trip highly enough.
That's amazing to hear, we hope to provide a top-notch experience for our customers so we are very pleased to read your review
Fantastic experience: Lovely private tour, great guide - Euan. Will recommend without hesitation. Thank you.
Thank you for the five star review and your recommendation!
Fantastic experience: Can't wait to go again! Bit expensive but you can bargain a bit to get £10 off.
Wonderful to recieve 5 stars off you - thank you
Fantastic experience: Very informative and interesting. Highly recommend
We appreciate your review Emma - we are glad to have given you an interesting experience with us. Thank you
Fantastic experience: We had our tour late in the evening and despite having had a long day our ‘punter’ Ewan was incredible, knowledgeable and engaging. Thanks Ewan for telling us all about Cambridge
Thank you for the lovely review! It also means a lot when customers see how wonderful our team members like Ewan are, our staff work very hard to give customers the best experience. Have a lovely day
Fantastic experience: The tour was reasonably priced. I didn’t expect that our chauffeur would also tell us the history of each college. John was very knowledgeable and funny. Highly recommend
We really value your review - thank you! We are glad that you enjoyed it and the descriptions of each college
Fantastic experience: Very knowledgeable guide and punter
Thank you for the lovely review! It also means a lot when customers see how wonderful our team members are, our staff work very hard to give customers the best experience. Have a lovely day
Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience, Josh was the best punter!
Thank you for the lovely review! It also means a lot when customers see how wonderful our team members like Josh are, our staff work very hard to give customers the best experience. Have a lovely day
Fantastic experience: We took a private boat out last Saturday for my mums birthday, and we absolutely loved it. Our guide Mathias was wonderful, very informative, but also gave us quiet time to enjoy the ride and the views, which we really appreciated. Thank you Mathias for making our tour and my mums birthday memorable!
Thank you for the lovely review! It also means a lot when customers see how wonderful our team members are, our staff work very hard to give customers the best experience. Have a lovely day (and happy Birthday to your mum!)
Fantastic experience: We booked punting as a last minute excursion and were happy to have Tam as our punter. He was super accommodating and kind towards us and made us feel really welcome! Would highly recommend! #loki
Thank you for the lovely review! It also means a lot when customers see how wonderful our team members are, our staff work very hard to give customers the best experience. Have a lovely day
Fantastic experience: We had a lovely experience punting yesterday as we hired a 12 people boat in lovely Cambridge. Our tour guide Tam was so lovely, friendly, and informative as he showed us around and gave informative knowledge on the buildings and colleges surrounding our trip. We had booked this as a last min event on the day as the weather was beautiful and we wanted to give it a go and the lovely lady we spoke to was ever so accommodating and helpful. I would definitely recommend as a family day out or a romantic couple date or even come with your friends.
Thank you for the lovely review! It also means a lot when customers see how wonderful our team members are like Tam, our staff work very hard to give customers the best experience. You are right - punting is great for family days out, friends or couples, or anyone else you can think of. Have a lovely day
Fantastic experience: Most amazing experience, would recommend to anyone who is thinking about it worth every penny.
We really value your review - thank you! We are glad that you enjoyed it. We try to offer the best prices out there so we are happy that you are happy with what we charge.
Fantastic experience: Our punting experience was brilliant. Joe, our tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable about Cambridge. The heavens opened above us but it didn't spoil our fun. Thanks, Joe! We all had a great time.
We really value your review - thank you! We are glad that you enjoyed it despite the rain. The views are just as beautiful in all weather but hopefully we will see you again on a warmer day next time
Fantastic experience: We did Cambridge punting tour and it was an amazing experience. It’s £20 per person if they provide you a punter with a boat. You might share it some other tourists. Other option is £20 per boat without punter. You have to navigate the boat by yourself. Overall it was really nice experience.
We really value your review - thank you! We are glad that you enjoyed it and we are happy to have been a part of your Cambridge experience. Next time, you might want to try our private tours so that you have the boat to yourself
Fantastic experience: Went there a couple of weeks ago. We chose to hire the tour guide after our friend said that she was going to do the punting but had a slight mishap on her last go which resulted in her sliding down the pole! The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and patient with us all. We learned about each university and which famous people stayed there such as Sir Isaac Newton, Lewis Carroll, Prince Charles etc. The tour lasts roughly one hour and is £20 each. Well worth it.
We really value your review - thank you! We are glad that you enjoyed it and hope to have you back again.
Fantastic experience: Admire the hard work students put in to earn a few extra pounds. A request for Tour operators, pls don't overload the boat. Not more than 3 persons per ride please
Thank you for the kind words and five stars! it means a lot. In future, you might to prefer to book on for our private tours so that you have the boat to yourself. Come back again
Positive experience: It was good.
We really value your review Munira - thank you!
Positive experience: A great tour with a lovely Chauffeur. The only reason it is not five stars is because when it rained I noticed other tour providers had umbrellas for the guests.
Thank you for your review. We have since provided umbrellas and blankets for our customers so please do come back again - hopefully on a dryer day!
Fantastic experience: We took a tour on a Monday afternoon in autumn and had Patrick as our guide. He was great!! He was a wealth of knowledge, telling tons of anecdotes and interesting facts. He answered all our questions and made us laugh. We cruised easily through the river without bumping into anyone or anything. He was an expert punter! I would highly recommend this company, but also would recommend Patrick specifically!
Thank you for the kind words and for your recommendation of Patrick. We are very proud of our team. Come again soon!
Fantastic experience: The price is a bit steep, even after a little negotiating but in spite of this we had a lovely time. We went on a shared punt of 4 rows of seats, we used one row - 2 adults and 2 children (10 & under) which was comfortable for us. The guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour worthwhile, I think you would lose a lot without this. We could sit back, relax, enjoy the scenery and architecture along with the history. 45 minutes was perfect timing... Just about when the youngest had had enough.
We certainly agree that the ideal punting experience requires an expert chauffeur - that way you can relax and absorb the sights on the river. We are glad that we could hold the attention span of the kids!
Positive experience: Scenery is stunning but boat experience and service was poor. Put aside the charming and well cultured Cambridge students, the boat was extremely hard to manoeuvre and staff on other boats were making fun and unwilling to help. We needed special assistance to get on and off but didn’t get it. Diabolical!. Add to that the crazy price of £270 for a guided boat or £50 for 90 mins of self pilot and it’s not worthwhile. Try canoeing or paddle boating elsewhere. You’ve been forewarned!
Hi there - thank you for the review but we are not Scudamores, we offer a price competitive rate here at Cambridge Punting at a separate location. We would appreciate it if you revised your review as we do not provide this service. Have a lovely summer
Positive experience: A big price but they give you a massive reduction (part of the act to lure tourists, I'm sure). Very beautiful boat trip along Cambridge waterside. Friendly punter who knew his stuff and gave plenty of explanation. With the 'reduction' it's worthwhile though.
We really appreciate it and we are glad that you enjoyed the views on the River Cam
Fantastic experience: Great place for punting
We really appreciate the 5 stars! It means a lot to have received it from you
Fantastic experience: Awesome experience
Thank you so much, it's great to hear that you enjoyed your time on the Cam
Fantastic experience: An excellent way to see and hear about Cambridge.
We really appreciate the 5 stars! It means a lot to have received it from you
Fantastic experience: Zack took us down the river and was very confident and knowledgeable. It was a really lovely experience, the weather was very nice which helped we felt very safe and well looked after!
Thank you so much. Nice weather really helps to make the experience what it is. Do come back again
Fantastic experience: Amazing punting ride. Calm, peaceful, romantic. Must try!
Thank you so much, punting is such a romantic activity. It's great to hear that you enjoyed your time on the Cam
Fantastic experience: It was fun
Thank you so much, it's great to hear that you enjoyed your time on the Cam
Fantastic experience: Very fortunate to have had a knowledgeable punter explaining the history and tradition of different colleges at Cambridge. Highly recommend!
Thank you for the review. It looks like you had a bright day to compliment your tour
Positive experience: I'm sure this trip is great and you see a lot of Cambridge, however the tourist trap cost and the pushy sales people were too much for me...
That's understandable, booking online in advance is the best way to ensure it's an easy process on the day
Positive experience: So nice and relaxing, a great way to see Cambridge. Hilariously our punter lost his pole on the way back, so had extra time floating down the river Cam. We got it back eventually and got on our merry way again. The guide was pretty informative, but was also quite funny hearing all the different guides saying the same things, almost verbatim. I definitely know where the original manuscript for Winnie the Pooh is now Knocked a star off just because of the cost for a shared punt, £70 seems a tad excessive
We are so happy that you were pleased with the experience, it means a lot that you were able to create some great memories. For a cheaper punting option, we recommend autumn and winter. Our prices are definetly at the highest in summer. Do come back again next time you need another exploration of the River Cam
Positive experience: Enjoyable ride with an interesting commentary by the captain of the punt boat.
We really appreciate the review! It means a lot to have received it from you
Positive experience: Lots of knowledge from the tour guides and smooth on the river, it felt very safe and there was a bar on the river for any drinks including beer and prosecco, we were very well looked after although it was quite expensive but it is possible to get it down to a lower price if you ask and have a student discount
We are very happy that you enjoyed the tour and felt looked after. August is the most expensive month to go punting but if you are in the city this autumn, do pay us a visit for another exploration of the Cam
Fantastic experience: Brilliant on a perfect sunny day. So chilled and relaxing. Great guides. Very friendly. Recommended!
Thank you
Fantastic experience: Love this you get to go through the river and see lots of stuff like the college Steven Hawkins, the mathematical bridge and more!!
Thank you so much, this means a lot to us. Your 5 stars really help
Fantastic experience: brilliant experience. fab guy who explained the tour and information well.
Thank you for the 5 stars! You took some great photos too
Fantastic experience: Managed to go on a day where the weather was pretty good. I went with 3 friends, there was good social distancing, the punters have good knowledge of the route and are great fun. Prices are negotiable so remember to haggle!
We really prioritised safety! Thank you for your appreciation
Fantastic experience: It was a wonderful experience to go on punting in Cambridge. Our rider Eton was very good at explaining and describing places. It was 45 minutes boat ride. Worth for the price
Great photos! Do come back soon and make some more memories with us
Fantastic experience: It's a beautiful place with a lot of history. We decided to explore by ourselves and try out the punting our self. Well it was not a bright idea I would say. But did learn the art of punting with a help from someone. The campuses around is mind-blowing.
The views are definetly unique! We are glad that you ejoyed yourselves
Fantastic experience: I am so lucky to be the customer of Tyrrells Punting Cambridge. I had sam, a knowledgable and friendly gentleman, as my guide. I was so happy and been blown away by the beautiful sceneries of Cambridge. Thank you
Thanks Neeza
Fantastic experience: Had an excellent experience both learning the history and enjoying the scenery. Very friendly and knowledgable staff. Thank you guys.
Thank you
Fantastic experience: We had a fantastic tour! The boat was clean, the chauffeur was witty, knowledgeable and was clear to hear! The text message booking ticket worked a treat and I didn’t have to mess around with emails etc
Thanks Veronica, we try to make the booking process and your tour experience as effortless as possible.RegardsTyrrell's
Fantastic experience: Amazing service and knowledgeable punters, enjoyed the ride a lot
Thank you
Fantastic experience: Great experience, great guide, decent price and lots of really interesting insights. Thank you!
Thank you
Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time on the river. we asked lots of questions and the guide answered very well for our questions !! Very relaxing and an experience not to be missed, amazing way to see the colleges and architecture.
Thank you Rasheed
Fantastic experience: Highly recommend this tour. My wife and I enjoyed relaxing and admiring all of the beautiful architecture and landscapes. Our “punter” was Elliot. He did a great job explaining the history while making it humorous. Thanks again Elliot.
Elliot will be so happy to hear it - he really cares about creating lasting memories for customers. We are so happy to have earned 5 stars off you, do have yourself a lovely summer!
Fantastic experience: One of the most notable place in Cambridge.
your five stars really help! Thank you
Fantastic experience: We had a fantastic experience with Grantchester Punting for our annual staff day-out. There were three boats/chauffeurs for 24 of us, it was a completely relaxing, chilled out experience and our guys were so friendly and accommodating. Some of our colleagues had a go at punting and recognised that it is a very particular skill - so hats off to the three of them for making it look easy (and the trip to Grantchester is more challenging!). I highly recommend this tour and am thinking about booking a future expedition with friends/family.
Thank you for the lovely review! Punting is certainly an admirable skill and your appreciation for it means a lot
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