The Punter, Cambridge Travel Guide

The Punter sits on Pound Hill, a short rise near Castle Hill and Magdalene Street, west of the River Cam. The building is a former coaching inn with a compact, irregular layout. Original pub rooms have low ceilings and nooks while the converted stables, known as The Barn, offers higher vaulted space for dining or functions. A planted courtyard garden acts as a sun-trap seating area alongside some roadside tables.

The kitchen produces hearty British dishes with a daily-changing or seasonal menu. Real ales, wine by the glass and cocktails are available at the bar. Sunday roasts draw steady custom. Service is table-based and unhurried. Prices sit in the moderate range with meals plus drinks typically falling between twenty and forty pounds per person.

Most visits centre on a sit-down meal or drinks with lingering in a favourite indoor nook or the courtyard. The pace suits casual socialising rather than quick turnover. The mix of locals and visitors creates a welcoming but not overly tourist-focused environment. Dog owners are accommodated and families find space without formality.

The site has operated as a pub for many years under earlier names including Rose & Crown, Town & Gown and Sino Tap. The current name reflects its short walk to punting on the Cam. The surrounding area once hosted Cambridge’s weekly cattle market. Current operators have run the premises for around eighteen years.

The location is a ten-minute walk from Market Square and two minutes from Quayside punting. Frequent buses serve nearby Magdalene Street and Bridge Street. Limited on-street pay-and-display parking exists on Pound Hill and adjacent roads, with Castle Hill and Park Street car parks close by. Park & Ride options reduce city-centre parking pressure.

Indoor spaces remain usable year-round and feel snug in winter. The courtyard sees heaviest use in dry, warm weather. Weekend lunches, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday roasts bring higher numbers. Tourist season and school holidays add visitors around nearby attractions.