What Is Punting In Cambridge?

cambridge — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 07:59:35 +0000

The stretch of the river Cam that runs through the city centre is known as “the backs” (of the Cambridge colleges) and it is an historic and well known tourist attraction. Without doubt there is no better way to experience them than a relaxing punt tour in the company of an experienced local tour guide. A standard round trip lasts about 45 minutes and travels along the almost 1 mile stretch of the river Cam from Magdalene college to Queens’ college. On the way are numerous notable landmarks, including several colleges, nine bridges and the Chapel at King’s College.

Chapel at King’s College, Cambridge, UK by seier+seier

Famous sights

The majority of visitors to the city probably don’t realise that punting on the Cam is not just the best but pretty much the only guaranteed way to get a really good look at all of the famous colleges along the river. Because the land is all private property and there isn’t a tow path that follows along the banks of the river, you can’t walk the course of the Cam through the city centre.

Admission fees

Every Cambridge college charges an entry fee to visitors. The combined cost of these, if you were to visit all the colleges you see on a punt tour would be more than the price of a ticket for the same punt tour. Additionally to of this, the colleges are not open to visitors at set times of the year, such as when the students are studying for their exams.

Choice of punt companies

There are a several companies offering Cambridge punt tours from the very large to the not quite so.

Cambridge River Tour

Cambridge River Tours is an independent punt tour operator set up by two punt chauffeurs with many years experience of working on the river Cam, that has been in business since 2005 .

The guides who give the tours are experienced and knowledgeable whilst still being and friendly and fun, all of which means you will have a wonderful time.

Once in a lifetime

Whether this is your first visit or one of many, a trip on the river Cam is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. They will help make sure your trip is one to remember for the right reasons.

Groups of any size can be accommodated, from individuals and couples to hen parties, large tour groups and any one else who wants an experience to remember.

From their modest start operating just two of the traditional small punts, they have built on their knowledge and experience to offer trips on the more comfortable and stable 12 seat ferry punts.

Looking to find the best deal on punting in Cambridge? Then visit Cambridge River Tours to find the best deals for you.

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Visit Beautiful Cambridge – a home to world’s elite university | United Kingdom

Julius — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:24:24 +0000

Cambridge has so much to offer and show off, and it goes without saying what a beautiful city it is. Cambridge is, of course, synonymous with the University, whose stunning buildings and quadrangles date from the early 13th century. To walk through these squares is to trace the steps of such historical figures as Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and William Wilberforce. The colleges include medieval chapels and refectories, beautiful artworks and cloistered gardens to take you out of the present day.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by foshie

If you follow the pretty banks of the river Cam you can see the Backs – the rear gardens of the Cambridge colleges that are maintained in beautiful splendour by dedicated armies of gardeners. In spring especially, the carpets of daffodils and crocus make a breath-taking sight. The best way to see these gardens is to hire a punt to take you downriver. If you feel confident you can try using the pole yourself, though you may want to hire a chauffeured punt if you’d rather be in the hands of an experienced polesman who can also give you a guided tour as you go.

Cambridge offers many properties to rent, including short term flats, near the city centre. Wherever you stay in this wonderfully flat and pedestrian-friendly city, you’re guaranteed to be a short walk or bike ride to all of the attractions. There is also an open-top tour bus that will show you the sights and help you get your bearings in the city.

The Fitzwilliam museum on Trumpington Street has an impressive collection of antiquities from Egypt, Greece and Rome, English and European glass and pottery, jades from China, and ceramics from Japan and Korea. The Cambridge and County Folk Museum will show you how people lived in this area over the years, in the marsh lands around Cambridge (The Fens) since 1700. Kettle’s Yard on Castle Street is a modern art museum with substantial collections and regular exhibitions and musical events.

Cambridge market is one of the few markets in the country that opens seven days a week, 362 days of the year. It only ever closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. It sells everything from fresh produce, meat, fish and cheese to flowers, jewellery, leather goods, and a unique outdoor hairdresser! It’s one of the oldest markets in England, having been granted a Royal charter in 973AD.

Whether you visit Cambridge for its historical colleges, beautiful gardens or thriving city centre, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy.

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