Cambridge Walking and Punting Shared Combined Tour

English Walking Route- Great St Mary’s Church, completed in 1519, stands at the very heart of Cambridge as the University Church. It has long been the centre of university life, hosting sermons, ceremonies, and important academic gatherings since the Middle Ages. Its tower was once used as a landmark for travellers approaching the city and today remains one of Cambridge’s most recognisable historic silhouettes.

English Walking Route – Senate House, built between 1722 and 1730 by architect James Gibbs, serves as the ceremonial heart of the University of Cambridge, where students have formally received their degrees for nearly three centuries. Its neoclassical design reflects dignity, tradition, and the timeless prestige of the university.

English Walking Route – Gonville & Caius College, founded in 1348, is one of Cambridge’s oldest and most distinguished colleges. Famous for its medical and scientific achievements, it counts 15 Nobel Prize winners and physicist Stephen Hawking among its alumni, symbolising Cambridge’s enduring pursuit of knowledge.

English Walking Route – King’s College, established in 1441 by King Henry VI, is one of Cambridge’s most iconic colleges. Its magnificent King’s College Chapel, completed in 1515, stands as a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture and remains a global symbol of the university.

English Walking Route – Corpus Clock, unveiled in 2008 on the corner of Corpus Christi College, was designed by Cambridge inventor Dr John C. Taylor. The striking golden clock, crowned by a metal creature known as the “Chronophage” or “time-eater,” represents the relentless and unstoppable passage of time.

English Walking Route – The Eagle Pub, dating back to the 14th century, is one of Cambridge’s oldest public houses. It became world-famous when scientists James Watson and Francis Crick announced their discovery of the DNA double helix here in 1953, marking one of the greatest moments in modern science.

English Walking Route – St Bene’t’s Church, built around 1030 AD, is the oldest surviving building in Cambridge. Its distinctive Anglo-Saxon tower has stood for nearly a thousand years, linking the city’s medieval roots with the rise of the university.

English Walking Route – Old Cavendish Laboratory, founded in 1874, is one of the most important sites in the history of science. It was here that the electron, the structure of DNA, and the splitting of the atom were all discovered, earning the laboratory over 20 Nobel Prizes and shaping modern physics.

English Walking Route – Mathematical Bridge, constructed in 1749 at Queens’ College by James Essex from a design by William Etheridge, is an engineering masterpiece made entirely of straight wooden beams arranged in a perfect arch. Despite the myth, it was not built by Isaac Newton but remains one of Cambridge’s most admired bridges.

English Walking Route – Queens’ College, founded in 1448 by Queen Margaret of Anjou and refounded in 1465 by Queen Elizabeth Woodville, spans both sides of the River Cam. Its blend of medieval architecture, riverside charm, and academic heritage make it one of Cambridge’s most picturesque colleges.

English Walking Route – Darwin College, established in 1964 and named after Charles Darwin’s family, was the first Cambridge college to admit both men and women. Dedicated to postgraduate study, it is known for its international community and its peaceful setting along the River Cam.

English Walking Route – Clare College, founded in 1326, is the second-oldest college in Cambridge and admired for its beautiful 17th-century architecture and riverside gardens. Its historic Clare Bridge, completed in 1640, is the oldest bridge still standing over the River Cam.

English Walking Route – St John’s College, founded in 1511 by Lady Margaret Beaufort, is famous for its magnificent Tudor and Victorian architecture. Its Bridge of Sighs, built in 1831, is one of Cambridge’s most photographed landmarks, representing the college’s rich blend of beauty and tradition.

English Walking Route – Trinity College, established in 1546 by King Henry VIII, is the largest and one of the most prestigious Cambridge colleges. It is home to the celebrated Wren Library, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1695, which houses treasures by Newton, Shakespeare, and Milton.

English Walking Route – Newton’s Apple Tree, found within the grounds of Trinity College, is a direct descendant of the tree at Woolsthorpe Manor that inspired Sir Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity. This living symbol of discovery links modern Cambridge to one of history’s greatest scientific breakthroughs.

English Punting Route – Darwin College, founded in 1964, was the first Cambridge college to admit both men and women and remains exclusively for postgraduate students. Named after Charles Darwin, it occupies 18th-century riverside buildings that once belonged to Darwin’s family. Known for its international community and interdisciplinary spirit, Darwin offers a tranquil and welcoming start to the River Cam journey.

English Punting Route – Darwin College Library, overlooking the River Cam, is a peaceful study space within the college’s historic buildings. Open exclusively to postgraduate members, it reflects Darwin’s academic diversity and fosters quiet research and collaboration — blending Cambridge tradition with modern scholarly life.

English Punting Route – Silver Street Bridge, completed in 1958 to a design by Sir Edwin Lutyens, carries Silver Street over the River Cam. Its smooth concrete arch replaced an older stone bridge and now marks the gateway to the scenic “Backs” of the colleges. The bridge’s elegant simplicity contrasts beautifully with the surrounding historic architecture.

English Punting Route – Queens’ College, founded in 1448, is one of Cambridge’s oldest and most picturesque colleges. It was uniquely established by two queens — Margaret of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville — and spans both sides of the River Cam. With its medieval courts and tranquil gardens, Queens’ embodies the living history of the university.

English Punting Route – Mathematical Bridge, designed by William Etheridge and built in 1749 by James Essex, connects the two sides of Queens’ College. Constructed entirely from straight wooden beams forming a perfect arch, it remains a remarkable example of 18th-century engineering and one of Cambridge’s most photographed landmarks.

English Punting Route – New Court (Queens’ College), completed in 1823 by architect William Wilkins, reflects early 19th-century Gothic Revival design. Linked to the rest of the college by the Mathematical Bridge, it combines architectural elegance with beautiful riverside views, symbolising Cambridge’s harmony between tradition and progress.

English Punting Route – King’s College Bridge, built in 1819, connects the lawns of King’s College with the college grounds on the opposite bank. The bridge offers one of Cambridge’s most famous river views — the sweeping lawns, graceful willows, and the magnificent King’s College Chapel rising beyond.

English Punting Route – King’s College, founded in 1441 by King Henry VI, is world-renowned for its Gothic architecture and academic heritage. Its riverside frontage forms one of the most recognisable scenes in England, while its long lawns and majestic chapel reflect the grandeur of the university’s royal foundation.

English Punting Route – King’s College Chapel, begun in 1446 and completed in 1515, stands as a masterpiece of late English Gothic architecture. Commissioned by Henry VI, the chapel is famous for its soaring fan-vault ceiling, exquisite stained glass, and world-famous choir, symbolising centuries of faith, art, and scholarship.

English Punting Route – Cambridge University Library, located on West Road, is one of the world’s great research libraries. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in the 1930s, its tall brick tower dominates the skyline. As a legal deposit library, it holds a copy of every book published in the UK, serving scholars across generations.

English Punting Route – Clare Bridge (Clare College), completed in 1640, is the oldest surviving bridge on the River Cam. Designed by Thomas Grumbold in classical stone, it links Clare’s Old Court with the Fellows’ Garden and is famed for its missing baluster — a playful feature that adds mystery to its beauty.

English Punting Route – Clare College, founded in 1326, is the second-oldest Cambridge college and admired for its 17th-century architecture and elegant riverside gardens. The college’s setting beside the Cam offers timeless views of King’s Chapel and the Backs, making it one of the most photogenic parts of the river.

English Punting Route – Scholars’ Garden (Clare College), lying across the river from Clare’s main buildings, is a serene walled garden reserved for college members and alumni. Its manicured lawns and ancient stonework create a peaceful retreat, reflecting the college’s long tradition of elegance and quiet beauty.

English Punting Route – Jerwood Library (Trinity Hall), opened in 1998, is one of Cambridge’s most striking modern buildings. Set on the riverbank, its glass and oak design provides bright, peaceful study spaces for students. The library represents the college’s seamless blend of heritage and innovation.

English Punting Route – Garret Hostel Bridge, built in 1960 by Timothy Guy Morgan, connects Trinity and Trinity Hall to the university’s Sidgwick Site. Its graceful concrete arch offers a panoramic view of the Cam, where the line of college bridges can be seen stretching in both directions — a favourite sight for punters and photographers.

English Punting Route – Garret Hostel Lane, once a quiet footpath, was historically the centre of Cambridge’s underground punting scene. For decades, independent punters gathered here before dawn to secure river spots, creating a lively, competitive, and rebellious culture that helped shape modern punting traditions.

English Punting Route – Trinity College Bridge, completed in 1765 and designed by James Essex, links Trinity’s historic courts with the Fellows’ Garden. With its three graceful arches and classical symmetry, it reflects the grandeur of the college and offers one of the best views of the Wren Library.

English Punting Route – Trinity College, founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, is the largest and most prestigious of the Cambridge colleges. It has produced more Nobel Prize winners than any other institution in the world and remains the academic heart of the university, rich in history and intellectual legacy.

English Punting Route – Wren Library (Trinity College), completed in 1695 and designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is one of Cambridge’s most celebrated landmarks. Overlooking the River Cam, it houses priceless works by Newton, Milton, and Shakespeare. Its light-filled interior is an enduring monument to learning and human creativity.

English Punting Route – St John’s College, established in 1511 by Lady Margaret Beaufort, is one of the most architecturally impressive colleges in Cambridge. Stretching along the river with majestic courts and bridges, it perfectly combines grandeur, history, and natural beauty.

English Punting Route – Kitchen Bridge (St John’s College), also known as the Wren Bridge, was completed in 1709. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, it connects the college’s Third Court to the kitchens and features elegant stone arches, reflecting both practicality and refined architectural style.

English Punting Route – Bridge of Sighs (St John’s College), completed in 1831 and designed by Henry Hutchinson, spans the river between the Third and New Courts. Its Gothic arches and detailed stonework make it one of Cambridge’s most photographed landmarks, often compared to its Venetian namesake.

English Punting Route – St John’s College Chapel (Virginia Creeper), famous for its autumn display of crimson Virginia Creeper, transforms into one of Cambridge’s most beautiful sights each year. The ivy’s brilliant red against the stone façades symbolises the changing seasons and the living heritage of the college.

English Punting Route – Magdalene College, founded in 1428, lies gracefully on the north bank of the River Cam. Known for its intimate charm and medieval architecture, it is home to the Pepys Library, which preserves the 17th-century diaries of Samuel Pepys exactly as he left them.

English Punting Route – Magdalene Bridge, completed in 1823, marks the start of the River Cam’s famous Backs. Designed by Arthur Browne, it replaced a series of medieval wooden crossings and now forms the lively heart of Cambridge punting, where boats launch toward the historic colleges.

English Punting Route – Quayside (Cambridge), a vibrant riverside hub beside Magdalene Bridge, was once a historic trading port and is now filled with cafés, restaurants, and punting stations. It serves as the gateway to the River Cam, where Cambridge’s beauty, history, and local life flow together in perfect harmony.