Private Punting Tour

Private Punting Cambridge

Enjoy a chauffeured private chauffeured punt tour on our traditional punts
Get the ultimate luxury in your own private punt
Seating up to 12 people with dogs and children welcome
Board and embark at our Jesus Green Moorings
Travel through the picturesque College Backs
Glide beneath stunning bridges and past sublime Colleges
See the renowned architectural delights of riverfront buildings
Discover the history of Cambridge and the University
Explore our punting experiences to make your day truly special

    
 
 
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   Nicola E 
 29 October 2026
 
 
  We had Jack, he was well spoken and very knowledgeable and also very nice.
  
 
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   Kelvin Chang 
 27 October 2026
 
 
  Great experience- Cheng was fantastic as a guide!
  
 
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   Femi Awotesu 
 26 October 2026
 
 
  This was second visit to go punting on the River Cam. We had a superb chauffeur and guide who was a Cambridge alumnus. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time gliding down the Cam and under the various bridges.
  
 
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   Mark Reeve 
 25 October 2026
 
 
  We can definitely recommend Rutherfords…..the punts were really comfortable and well equipped with cushions, blankets and even umbrellas just in case. The best we saw on the river in fact!

Rich was our punter and he was very friendly and knowledgeable about the colleges and bridges we passed on the 50 minute tour, sharing lots of facts along the way.

A really good way to see parts of Cambridge you wouldn’t otherwise see!

Would recommend booking online in advance if you can as you will get a better price than on the day.
  
 
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   maddie white 
 20 October 2026
 
 
  the best part of my visit to cambridge! such an informative tour guide that gave us facts about everything, and the nicest boat out of all the other companies, with umbrellas, blankets and tables!
  
 
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   Richard Davies 
 20 October 2026
 
 
  Great experience, great history facts and a really fun 50 minutes on the river
  
 
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   sibi thomas 
 20 October 2026
 
 
  We had a wonderful experience punting in Cambridge with Rutherford Punting. Max was our tour guide, and he was excellent! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging, making the whole trip enjoyable. His explanations and interesting stories added so much to the experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend Rutherford Punting, especially with Max as your guide. Thank you for such a lovely experience!
  
 
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   Hope 
 20 October 2026
 
 
  This was a fantastic tour.  Our guide was very knowledgeable (and funny), providing the history of the university, information about noteworthy people who've attended the various colleges, as well as discussing student pranks and what it's like to be a student at Cambridge.  The bridges and campus buildings are absolutely beautiful and this tour provides a different perspective that you don't get from walking the streets.  Highly recommend!
  
 
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   Angela Nutton 
 20 October 2026
 
 
  We had a lovely time on our Punting Tour of Cambridge.  Our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining - sharing insights and stories that we appreciated and  thoroughly enjoyed!  We would highly recommend this tour.
  
 
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   xiaolu hou 
 19 October 2026
 
 
  Excellent! reasonable price and good service!
  
 
 
  
 
 
   Trustindex rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 2896 reviews

The Ultimate Cambridge Private Punting Tour Experience

A private punting tour on the River Cam is the ideal way to view Cambridge’s best sights in style.

On our private trips, you will discover the stunning riverfront colleges, bridges, private gardens, and the famed Cambridge Backs.

Our expert chauffeurs will make your VisitEngland-accredited tour a one-of-a-kind experience for you and your guests. You’ll learn historical facts and hear the finest stories about how the city we see now came to be. It’s no wonder that Rutherford’s Punting are holders of VisitEngland’s ‘Best Told Story’ accolade.

Your guide will take you and your friends on a private traditional punt ride down the river, complete with cushions for your comfort and blankets for warmth. Find out more about what happens during a private punting tour in our guide: What Is Punting?

If you want a more personal experience, our private tours are the way to go. With a private punt tour, your boat will be prepped and ready for you and your friends to board. There will be no waiting in line, which is great for peak season and warm summer weather.

Bring your favourite treats, tasty nibbles, and refreshing beverages with you for the journey! Alternatively, you can also check out our range of private punting experiences, including champagne punting, gin punting, proposal punting, cream tea punting and more!

Book A Chauffeured Punting Tour In Cambridge Today

Our 45-minute private punting tours are bookable in advance and will be waiting for you at your preferred time. Head directly to our Jesus Green Moorings just 2 minutes along the boardwalk from the Quayside to take your tour – it’ll be set up and ready to go at the time you selected.

You can bring along your own picnics, nibbles and drinks on our private punting tours. You can also bring your furry friend for no extra charge thanks to our dog punting experiences. Bringing your dog is better on a private punting tour because, on our shared tours, you may have to wait for guests who like dogs.

With our private tour options, you can create the perfect private punting experience that suits you and your group. You’ll have the chance to ask about different routes and pick the sights you want to see. From the Cambridge colleges to agricultural marvels like the Mathematical Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs, there’s something for everyone in this gorgeous city. You can enjoy private punting for a private celebration, such as a proposal, birthday party or hen do. Our private punting tours are also ideal for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Head to see our team at the Jesus Green Moorings to start your experience. To find out more, visit our Cambridge Punting FAQs page.

Private Punting Cambridge FAQs

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU’RE RUNNING LATE FOR YOUR PRIVATE TOUR?

When planning a trip to Cambridge, you should make sure that you try to arrive in good time for your private punting tour. Your private booking will be held for you for 5 minutes; after this point, it wouldn’t be possible to go on the tour as this would mean missing our later bookings. Please call us as soon as you know of any delays to your schedule, and we’ll try to accommodate you.

HOW DO YOU BOOK PRIVATE CAMBRIDGE PUNTING TOURS WITH RUTHERFORD’S?

At Rutherford’s, we have a booking option that suits everyone. You can visit our bookings team at the Jesus Green Moorings to book a private tour in person or call us to secure your place by phone. We also take online bookings using our booking form.

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR WHEN PUNTING IN CAMBRIDGE?

For your private punting tour, we recommend you wear something comfortable that you don’t mind getting wet or a little dirty, as water can sometimes splash up the side of the boat. It’s best if you don’t wear anything too tight, and we recommend flat shoes.

CAN YOU TAKE A PRIVATE PUNTING TOUR IN ANY WEATHER?

Both our boats and our employees will be dressed for the weather on the day so you can enjoy your tour in comfort. If it’s sunny, your guide will be wearing a waistcoat. At cooler times of the year, your guide will wear a professional coat, and your boat will be equipped with umbrellas and blankets to keep you warm. In extreme weather, such as thunderstorms, we might need to reschedule your private tour: if this is the case, a member of our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible to arrange a new date for your private punting experience.

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN EACH PUNT FIT?

Our boats can fit a maximum of 12 people. For larger groups, you can discuss your options with our booking team, who can help you to find the right private tour for your needs.

WHAT SIGHTS DO YOU SEE ON A PRIVATE PUNTING TOUR OF CAMBRIDGE?

Our chauffeurs can show you a range of unique sights, including some of the most famous colleges that Cambridge University has to offer, the glorious architecture of the city, including the mathematical bridge, and the gorgeous natural wonders of the private gardens. Each punt chauffeur is an expert in the history and culture of the city, so they can help you make the most of your time in Cambridge.

Your Punting Experience

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Punting Events

Cambridge May Ball Punting 2026

At Rutherford's Punting, we understand the appeal of the May Balls, which is why we offer May Ball Punting Tours to see the fireworks and celebrations from the comfort of...

Mother’s Day Punting 2026

Your mum is a very special woman, and Mother's Day is the perfect occasion to show her how much you love her. To help, Rutherford's offers Mother's Day Punting in...

Cambridge City Fireworks 2024

We are delighted to announce that we are one of the main sponsors of this year’s Cambridge City Fireworks, alongside a number of high-profile, well-renowned local businesses! Being part of...

Cambridge Ghost Tour

Trick or Treat! We’ve got an exclusive Halloween treat for you this year- our unique shared ghost punting tours! Intrepid travellers will love this foray punting into the dark side...

Gin June Punting

Friday Nights on the River Cam Kick your weekend off in style on our limited edition Friday night Gin June Punting Events. Sip on three delicious G&Ts and learn the...

Valentine's Day Punting

Punting Tours for Lovers Make things extra special this year with our Cambridge Valentine’s Day punting experience for two with a long stemmed red rose. A luxury 45-minute tour on...

Fireworks Punting 2024

May Ball Fireworks Punting For a jaw-droppingly beautiful and oh-so Cambridge experience, book a May Ball Fireworks Punting Tour with your own chauffeur to glide along the Backs on one...

Saffron Grange Wine Punting

Sparkling Summer Punting Start your weekend off in style as you sample three celebrated Saffron Grange vintages on a wine tasting punting tour gliding through the glorious Cambridge College Backs. ...

Ghost Tour Punting Cambridge

Spooky Halloween Punting Tours In Cambridge Trick or Treat! We've got an exclusive Halloween treat for you this year- our unique shared ghost punting tours! Intrepid travellers will love this...

About
Rutherford’s
Punting

Rutherford’s punting company has family heritage directly linked to Ernest Rutherford, a Cambridge Graduate and nuclear physicist, who has shaped our world today through his contribution to industry and education. We’re Cambridge’s luxury punting company focused entirely on giving customers the very best punting hospitality.

Our traditional punting tours allow you to cruise along the River Cam on a flat-bottomed punt, which is specifically designed for shallow rivers and can easily navigate the waterways. We would be delighted to plan your Cambridge experience around your ideas, suggestions and requests – Get in touch as we’re here to make the best Cambridge day happen for you!

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