Punting on the River Cam
The River Cam is said to be the heart of Cambridge as it glides through the world-famous Cambridge College University. Punting on the River Cam in a traditional Cambridge punt is an escape from the swamped life into a serene and blissful scenery that freshens our minds.
Your 45 minutes of punting on the River Cam would be a stupendous experience with the views of all the world-famous Cambridge landmarks including the King’s College Chapel, The Wren Library at the Trinity College, and the masterpieces like the Bridge of Sighs, Mathematical Bridge, and many more. Punting in Cambridge is a perfect outdoor activity for a weekend trip in Cambridge and serves as a perfect destination for any kind of celebration.
Steeped in History
When it comes to history, not just the River Cam punting, but the sightseeing it offers has a story to narrate. If in a chauffeured punt, the expert punter omniscient about the history of Cambridge and Great Britain transforms your punting experience into a red-lettered one. Gliding through the river and listening to the history of punting is an impeccable experience.
The acclaimed traditions of education and higher learning from Cambridge University is well known all over the world. The Charter of King Henry III founded the university in 1209 and Cambridge serves to be the second oldest English speaking university in the world.
When it comes to the history of punting, punts were developed in medieval times to provide a stable craft in shallow water areas. One such area was the Fens, the marshy flatlands to the north of Cambridge, where punts were used in the local trades such as reed-cutting, fowling, eel fishing and transporting cargo until Charles drained out Fens in the late nineteenth century for making the super fertile land suitable for farming.
The first-ever punts are associated with fishing in the river Thames. Pleasure punts in the river Thames, specifically built for recreation and entertainment became popular between 1860 and 1880.
See the Sights Whilst Punting on the River Cam
The Vintage Buildings
If you are starting your 45 minutes trip from Mathematical Bridge, you could start the amazing trip being fascinated with the geometry of this epic bridge. Gliding through the river, and passing the bridge, the enormous Queen’s College that was built in 1448 awaits you to your right. The mathematical bridge itself is an extension of Queen’s college. You will be surrounded by vintage buildings on both sides. Moving on, St Catharine’s built-in 1473 is to your right and you will have vast greenery that imparts a serene and subtle feeling to your minds on the left.
On the way, you could see other tourists enjoying their punting trip like you. It is estimated to have more than 0.5 million punting tourists every year. While waving to your fellow punters and enjoying the views on both sides, glimpses of 1209 built University College starts to appear. The view of this enormous college and its distinctive building is eye-catching view. Far behind, the King’s College Bridge built-in 1819 awaits you. You could see traces of the people walking over it even from miles away.
The Serene View
Passing the bridge, a widespread green field where the cattle graze would be on your left and the massive King’s College built-in 1441 on the right. It is continued with the College Chapel built-in 1446. The immense college campus and the clear blue sky over it offers a lifetime view. You could extend your vision to the Claire College bridge built in 1640s, even from miles apart. Immediately as you travel beneath the bridge, your right side would enhance the beauty of your vision with the Claire college campus that was built in 1326.
Then comes the Trinity Hall built-in 1350 to your right. The river Cam is a great place to spot wildlife including ducks, swans and herons. You could see the ducks swimming in the river, while you punt. The recently built (2005) Jerwood Library is a reflection of modern architecture. It also has a bridge connected.
The Masterpieces
Now, gliding through the river, you reach the Trinity College Bridge built-in 1764. Passing the bridge, you find 1546 built Trinity College to your right. Being refreshed and rejoiced by the views, and feeding the ducks swimming in the river, you could watch the New Court built-in 1831 at your left, the 1709 built Kitchen Bridge awaits you on your way. It will be soon followed by its sibling, The bridge of Sighs built in 1831. St Johns who owns both the bridges are seen to the right. Unlike other bridges, public passengers are not allowed to pass through the Bridge of Sighs.
Thus, Punting in Cambridge is the only way for tourists to enjoy this masterpiece. Later, you can see the Cripps Building to your left and far away, gliding through the river Cam, you could see the Magdalene Bridge built in 1823. It even carries buses over it. Passing the Magdalene Bridge, you reach the Magdalene College built-in 1428.
The punting experience is truly mesmerising irrespective of the season. The cherry and daffodil blossoms that line up the river is an eye-catching view. You can even make your punting during winter a remarkable one, by wrapping yourself in a blanket and staying warm and cosy in the punt. Although you’ll be frozen with cold, the experience would be adventurous and the sights the nature offers would be an impeccable one.
