Before being accepted to the summer school at Cambridge I had no idea what Punting was. When I saw it was on the timetable for one of the sessions during the week I decided I should find out!
A punt is a square-ended boat, which has a flat bottom and is usually propelled using a long pole. ... Read review
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Advantages: Relaxing, fun, chance to the 'Backs' Disadvantages: If you punt yourself you may fall in!
Before being accepted to the summer school at Cambridge I had no idea what Punting was. When I saw it was on the timetable for one of the sessions during the week I decided I should find out!
A punt is a square-ended boat, which has a flat bottom and is usually propelled using a long pole. Punts were introduced to provide stable craft, which could be used in areas of water too shallow for rowing conventional craft.
Punting ... ...see the famous bridges and colleges along the River Cam.
There are two routes that you can take along the river in a punt. One of these is the Upper River, towards Granchester (a small village) and the other is along the Middle River, which passes the famous college Backs. We took the latter of these routes and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Before being accepted to the summer school at Cambridge I had no idea what Punting was. When I saw it was on the timetable for one of the sessions during the week I decided I should find out!
A punt is a square-ended boat, which has a flat bottom and is usually propelled using a long pole. Punts were introduced to provide stable craft, which could be used in areas of water too shallow for rowing conventional craft. Punting has now become one of the most popular ways to see the famous bridges and colleges along the River Cam.
There are two routes that you can take along the river in a punt. One of these is the Upper River, towards Granchester (a small village) and the other is along the Middle River, which passes the famous college Backs. We took the latter of these routes and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
~ A little bit of information about The Backs ~
Some of the first colleges to be founded at Cambridge were built right on the banks of the river. These buildings are now known as the "Backs". This is a one-mile stretch of river that has some of the finest examples of architecture in England. Altogether there are 8 colleges and 9 bridges.
King Henry VI founded King's College in 1441. He did not live to see it finished as it took nearly 100 years (and the contributions are five kings) to complete.
The Bridge of Sighs, probably the best known bridge on the Backs, is found at St Johns College. The only real similarity between the Bridge of Sighs and its Venetian namesake is that both of them are covered bridges. It is part of the main thoroughfare through the College and is used by those who live and work there every day. We went to an outdoor theatre at St John's College and we crossed this bridge to get there. I appreciated the beauty of it much more when I was on the river though.
Some of the other buildings on the 'backs' include: St Johns College, Trinity Hall, Clare College, Queens College, Magdalene Bridge, Kitchen Bridge and Clare Bridge.
~ My Experience ~
There were 72 students at the summer school, plus staff. We went in chauffeured boats, which sat 12 people (plus the punter who stood on the back of the punt.) I liked being in a larger punt as most of the people I was with were in my geography group, so it was an extra opportunity to socialise with them! Punts also come in a smaller size, which seat 6 people.
There were blankets on the punt to make it more comfortable if it was cold, we just sat on them though as it was a glorious summers day! There were also umbrellas in case of rain but many people had them up as a sunshade!
About 5 minutes into the trip our punter lost his pole! I was slightly worried as we started to drift towards the banks of the river but one of the other punters quickly retrieved our pole and we were back on course! I thought this might be something that would happen a lot but fortunately it was the only time during our trip!
The people who punted were mainly students in straw boaters and traditional dress. I thought this added a nice feel to the trip along the Cam. Our punter was a young man who was very enthusiastic. He told us lots of stories about the buildings that we were passing. He asked us questions about what we were looking at and he offered to answer any questions that we had. He showed a little bit of interest in us by asking us where we were from and what brought us to Cambridge. When he found out we were from a summer school at the University he was interested to know what subjects we were doing. He was very friendly and he seemed to know The Backs very well.
Where I was positioned on the punt, the punter was behind me. It was easy to forget that there was actually a person standing talking to us rather than just a tape playing. He fitted nicely in the background when we wanted to talk (or point at things and take photos!) between ourselves but the information was still there being offered. I did listen to most of what he was saying as I was taking my pictures.
Towards the end of the trip the punter was going to let us have a turn at punting but the summer school representatives wouldn't let us! (For health and safety) He thought they were just being spoilsports and even threatened to get off the punt so we would have to do it ourselves! (in a humorous not serious sort of way!)
The river was very busy when we were there as it was a glorious summer day. We occasionally bumped into another punt but he did warn us just before we collided so that we could move elbows etc out of the way. He was a bit late once though and a punt did bump one of the student's elbows!
Our punting trip was paid for by the summer school but 50minutes/I hour costs around £10 per person (children are cheaper)
I thoroughly enjoyed my time punting and would definitely do it again if I ever get the opportunity. It was a pleasant, relaxing experience, which was extremely enjoyable.
Should you be a more adventurous person you may like to have a go at punting yourself! You are only allowed to punt the 6 seat punts on your own. I don't think I would like to punt myself, as I'd be scared I'd fall in! We did witness a man who was punting and he fell into the river. (The river water is between 1m and 2m deep where we went punting along the 'backs')
Advantages: Great way to see 'the backs' - very picturesque Disadvantages: A bit chilly in winter
You can't go to Cambridge and not go punting! This is a fabulous experience and a definite must do. My partner and I visited Cambridge a couple of weekends ago (beginning of March) and I was told during winter there is no punting. Luckily my informant was wrong (although I'm not sure if they are open Dec/Jan). For those of you who aren't quite sure what this is there are several companies offering either chauffeured punts or self guided punts. The ... ...the river on, somebody stands at the back (either the guide or yourself) and pushes the punt along using a long poll that touches the river bed. I'm told this is hard work and is more difficult than it looks, which I believe! We took a Chauffeured punt and saw many a punt stranded in awkward positions. If you are up for a bit of fun and aren't too bothered about what you see and feel like getting some exercise then by all means don't go for the chauffeured ...
ang_e11 08.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Punting, Cambridge
Advantages: bliss on a summer day Disadvantages: damp pole, damper water if you fall in
It is a little known fact that in the summertime, fit, attractive Cambridge students of both sexes perform athletic routines with the pole for the benefit of tourists and to put a few quid in their pockets.
I am talking, of course, about punting.
Update -- (always sensitive to my customers)
A punt is a small flat boat, quite long, which is used on shallow rivers and driven by pushing a long pole into the riverbed. It is a slow but leisurely way ... ...Oxford. It has been used for many years, though, as a way of navigating marshlands and wetlands. As such, it is one of the few truly traditional and ancient forms of self-propelled transport still in use today. A typical punt will take six to eight people in comfort with their fishing nets and goods for market, or these days a couple of bottles of bubbly a few sarnies and some beer.
End update --
There are good and bad things about punting.
BAD ...
Saturn 01.11.2001 (19.11.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Punting, Cambridge
Advantages: Either relaxing or interesting depending on your mood Disadvantages: A bit expensive
Far and away the best thing to do in Cambridge is to punt down the river on a warm sunny day. Punts cost from about eight pounds an hour from Scudamores Boat Yard. To find them just stand on the Silver Street bridge and look out and you can’t miss them. You can also hire rowing boats if you prefer. There are two possible routes depending on what you’re looking for.
The first route is the shorter and best suited for tourists who want to see a bit ... ...the backs of the colleges so you can appreciate how beautiful and old they really are. This stretch of the river does tend to get rather crowded at times, though, especially on weekends. You can also take a guided punt tour with your own personal gondolier, complete with straw boater and waistcoat, for about double the price.
The second route is longer and more peaceful. It takes you all the way to Grantchester Meadows through woods and idyllic ...
Rowan 02.10.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Punting, Cambridge
Advantages: Good fun, beautiful scenery Disadvantages: Possibilities of falling in if punting yourself!
Punting is one of the most traditional things to do on a summers day in Cambridge. When the weather is good, it can often get quite busy, but that only adds to the excitement (especially if doing the punting yourself!). Punts can be hired in several locations around the city; you can either go through the more country route from Grantchester (where there are fantastic outdoor tea rooms in an orchard), or along the 'Backs' of Cambridge, past the likes ... ...Especially in summer, there are often a number of people trying to entice you to their punts. There are several different companies, including ones such as Scudamores. Punts range in sizes and prices; you can either punt yourself, or hire a 'chauffeured' punt, whilst your guide gives you a history of the beautiful scenery and buildings you go past. On top of this, you can also go the extra mile and opt for champagne and other extras to enjoy on your ...
rd89 07.05.2009
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Quick review of Punting, Cambridge
Cambridge Scudamores Punting Company do not support local companies and businesses. Try and get a refund, partial or full - no chance.
Poor communication between office staff and staff at the actual punts. Will never book with this company again and would rather support local people who have hopefully a much better customer focus. ...
meatinthesandwich 19.07.2007
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I must admit, my playfulness was ever present on our trip some 16 years ago. After a few shoves of his pole, our punt operator was in stitches when I berated him for not singing the Cornetto song to me, and in response to my assertation that I had never ... (oops, can't say it) in a punt, he promptly said he could let us go by ourselves and he'd hit the pub for an hour! Yes, I must admit, that was a naughty thing for me to say. We were all laughing though and had a great time.
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