Punting is Cambridge's most iconic experience, bar none. A "punt" is propelled by a 5-metre pole pushed against the riverbed to drive the flat-bottomed, square-nosed wooden boat forward — a tradition dating back to the 19th century, originally a means of cargo transport on the Cam. In the early 20th century, local Cambridge man Maurice "Jack" Scudamore introduced recreational punting, founding Scudamore's Punting Company in 1910, still the largest operator on the river today. The River Cam stretches approximately 64 kilometres, but the most scenic punting section is just 2 miles (3.2 km) long, known as "The Backs" — the gardens of the colleges lining the riverbank. Departing from Mill Lane or Silver Street pier, a professional chauffeur stands at the stern poling the boat upstream, passing successively through Magdalene Bridge, Bridge of Sighs, Kitchen Bridge, Trinity Bridge, Youth Hostel Bridge, Clare Bridge, King's Bridge, Mathematical Bridge and other ancient bridges (8-9 in total), along the way passing the Backs of Magdalene College, St John's College, Trinity College, Clare College, King's College, Queens' College and 6 other colleges. Weeping willows line both banks, lawns are lush green, Gothic spires reflect in the water — this is the true depiction of Xu Zhimo's line "The golden willows by the riverside are young brides in the setting sun." Three punting options exist: **Shared chauffeured tour** (£22-25/person, 50 min, most hassle-free); **Private chauffeured punt** (£120-160/boat, ideal for couples or families); **Self-hire punt** (£24-30/hour/boat, you pole yourself, beginners tend to spin in circles or even fall in). Chauffeurs are mostly Cambridge students working part-time, sharing college gossip and historical anecdotes along the way — like "why St John's Bridge of Sighs has nothing to do with Venice" and "did Newton really build the Mathematical Bridge without nails?" In peak season (May-August), the river is so crowded with boats that they queue to pass through bridge arches — advance online booking is recommended, or choose the evening slot to avoid the crowds.
Departing from the 19th-century tradition, take a flat-bottom wooden boat through the Backs of 7 colleges and 9 ancient bridges, and in the Oxford-accented tales of your chauffeur, discover the eternal poetry of 'Farewell to Cambridge'
Depart from Mill Lane Pier — Scudamore's main pier, where Jack Scudamore began renting out the first recreational punt in 1903. Board a traditional flat-bottomed punt, approximately 22 feet (6.7m) long and 3.5 feet (1m) wide, stable and flat, seating 12 people in four rows facing each other. The professional chauffeur stands on the till at the stern, holding a 5-metre aluminium or ashwood pole, inserting the tip into the riverbed silt and pushing off — the boat glides smoothly forward. The direction is upstream — Cambridge tradition has the chauffeur standing at the stern facing forward (called "Cambridge End"), the exact opposite of Oxford where the chauffeur stands at the bow facing backward — the rivalry between the two universities extends even to punting posture. Along the way you pass: Magdalene Bridge — connecting Magdalene College where Samuel Pepys studied; Bridge of Sighs — an 1831 Gothic Revival covered bridge, as you pass underneath you look up at the keystone carvings while the chauffeur tells the story of Queen Victoria's visit in 1843; Kitchen/Wren Bridge — a three-arch stone bridge designed by Christopher Wren in 1709; Trinity Bridge and Youth Hostel Bridge; Clare Bridge — built in 1639, the oldest surviving bridge on the Cam, one of the ball decorations on the railings deliberately missing a piece (legend says the stonemason forgot); King's Bridge — facing the majestic west facade of King's College Chapel, its 42-metre fan vault looking magnificent from the river; Mathematical Bridge — the 1749 wooden bridge, looking up from underneath reveals the truss structure like a three-dimensional geometric poem. In peak season the river is crowded with boats queuing to pass through the arches, with chauffeurs calling out to coordinate. After reaching Silver Street Bridge, the boat turns around and drifts back downstream — now you can relax and enjoy the scenery: students sunbathing on the Backs lawns, willow branches brushing the water, ducks swimming alongside the boat. Choosing the evening slot (after 18:00) paints the college stone walls in golden sunlight, the river like a mirror, the whole boat gliding as if through an oil painting.
The best refuelling stop after punting, just 3 minutes' walk from Mill Lane Pier. Cambridge's century-old bakery founded in 1920, famous nationwide for its Chelsea Bun — a syrup-glazed cinnamon roll, warm and flaky, which was Stephen Hawking's favourite. Three-tier afternoon tea with Earl Grey in the Victorian wooden-arched interior — the perfect way to savour the poetry of punting. Budget £15-25 per person.
Located at the Upper River terminus in Grantchester, the ultimate reward after a 2-hour punt. Opened in 1909, white cast-iron tables and chairs scattered among the orchard trees — order a pot of English tea with homemade scones, letting apples and plums fall from the trees into your teacup — exactly as Xu Zhimo described: "fruits will fall into your teacup." Byron, Forster and Keynes were all regulars. Budget £12-20 per person.
1 minute's walk from Silver Street Pier, directly opposite King's College. Treat yourself to a classic British steak after punting — sirloin with red wine sauce is rich and substantial, WeChat QR code Chinese menus available. Seasonal Pre-Theatre set menu (2 courses £22). Budget £25-40 per person.
5 minutes' walk from Mill Lane Pier, on Bene't Street. Cambridge's most popular handmade ice cream shop, using traditional Italian methods. Creative flavours like thyme honey, Earl Grey and rose raspberry are full of British charm. After a sunny afternoon punting, an ice cream is the perfect finish. Single scoop from £4.