Scholars Punting, Cambridge Travel Guide

Free Guide: Traditional punting tours and boat rentals on the River Cam from a central Cambridge departure point.

A brief summary of Scholars Punting

Traditional punting tours and boat rentals on the River Cam from a central Cambridge departure point.

Scholars Punting operates from Thompsons Lane in Cambridge and offers boat tours and rentals on the River Cam. The service runs daily from 9am to 7pm with departures available throughout the operating hours. Visitors board traditional flat-bottomed punts for guided or self-poled trips along the river near the city centre.

0.5–2 hrsTime to spend
$$Mid-range
OutdoorSetting
4 / 5Mobile signal
4.9 Excellent · 1,218 Google reviews
Plan your visit

Opening hours

  • Every day9 am–7 pm

Opening hours as listed on the venue’s Google Business Profile. Hours can change for services and special events, so check with the venue before you go.

Address
Scholars Punting, Thompsons Ln Cambridge
Phone
Website

Getting there

Walking

Five-minute walk from central Cambridge streets to Thompsons Lane.

Public transport

Bus stops within 400 metres of the departure point.

Discover more about Scholars Punting

Overview

Scholars Punting provides boat tours and self-hire punts from its base on Thompsons Lane in Cambridge. The location sits directly beside the River Cam, allowing immediate access to the waterway that runs through the city.

Operating Hours and Access

The service opens daily at 9am and closes at 7pm. All sessions occur within these fixed hours with no variation noted across the week. The site is reached by foot from central Cambridge streets.

Boat Tours and Rentals

Options include guided tours led by staff and independent rentals for those who wish to pole the punt themselves. The flat-bottomed boats are designed for the shallow waters of the Cam.

Setting

The departure point lies on Thompsons Lane, a short street running alongside the river. The immediate surroundings include the waterway and adjacent paths used by pedestrians and cyclists.

Visitor Experience

Travellers arrive at the lane and board directly from the bank. Trips proceed along the river at a slow pace determined by the current and the skill of the person poling. The activity lasts as long as the booked session allows within the daily closing time.

Evendo Review Centre

Reviews from Google
By star rating

Guest reviews

Best time to go

Quietest: Jan, Feb & Dec · before 10am or from 6pm

How busy it gets, month by month Estimated
  1. Jan: 33% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  2. Feb: 44% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  3. Mar: 67% of the busiest month
  4. Apr: 78% of the busiest month
  5. May: 89% of the busiest month
  6. Jun: 100% of the busiest month
  7. Jul: 100% of the busiest month
  8. Aug: 89% of the busiest month
  9. Sep: 78% of the busiest month
  10. Oct: 67% of the busiest month
  11. Nov: 44% of the busiest month
  12. Dec: 33% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
How busy it gets, hour by hour Estimated
  1. 9am: 63% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest
  2. 10am: 88% of the busiest hour
  3. 11am: 100% of the busiest hour
  4. 12pm: 100% of the busiest hour
  5. 1pm: 88% of the busiest hour
  6. 2pm: 88% of the busiest hour
  7. 3pm: 100% of the busiest hour
  8. 4pm: 100% of the busiest hour
  9. 5pm: 88% of the busiest hour
  10. 6pm: 75% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest
  11. 7pm: 38% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest

Busy times are Evendo estimates for a typical year, to help you plan. Actual crowds vary with events, school holidays and the weather.

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