Punting In London VS Cambridge: Pros, Cons And Differences

Punting is a popular choice for anyone looking to see the UK at its best, and there are so many cities to explore.

While many cities are easily walkable, seeing them from the comfort of a traditional punt, steered with a long pole, can be a truly unique experience. If you’re looking for a city with a long history of punting and gorgeous sights to see, then you might consider London or Cambridge.

As the capital of the UK, London has a lot of historical sites and stunning architecture to recommend it. Punting is available on the River Thames, and London was the birthplace of punting. Originally used for cargo boats, punting for pleasure began in the 1800s.

Between 1902 and 1904, punting came to Cambridge, where it became a favourite among university students and visitors alike. Today, Cambridge is still a popular city for punting tours, and visitors can see all the prestigious colleges and learn historical facts from the comfort of their own punt.

So, how does London compare to Cambridge when it comes to punting tour experiences? If you’re thinking of visiting and aren’t sure where to go for your punting tour, keep reading.

Punting In London

In London, the most popular destination for punting is Regent’s Canal, in East London. There is a punting station on the towpath near Mile End Road bridge, with stunning scenery and iconic landmarks on the river banks as you pass along.

Pros

• Stunning views of Camden, London Zoo, Mile End Lock, Regent’s Park, Little Venice and other landmarks.
• London has many other sights and amenities, so if you’re looking for a day out, you can find the perfect experience.
• A range of punting tour options to choose from in the city.
• Great public transport networks.

Cons

• London is an expensive city, so you get less value for your money on your trip.
• Fewer punting tour options than Cambridge and other cities.
• The city is more crowded.
• Parking is hard in London, and Regent’s Canal is part of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), so driving to your London punting tour can be inconvenient.

Punting In Cambridge

Cambridge is a smaller city than London, surrounded by countryside, but it is home to Cambridge University and its gorgeous architecture. It also boasts a strong punting culture, meaning there are plenty of options for those looking to see the sights.

Pros

• Gorgeous architecture, including the University Colleges, the College Backs, the Mathematical Bridge, St John’s New Court and the Bridge Of Sighs.
• Rich history spanning centuries, meaning there are loads of things to learn about and see in Cambridge.
• Great culture and amenities, including parks, shops and eateries, so there’s something for everyone after you’ve been punting.
• Shallow waters that move slowly, making the rivers in Cambridge safe for punting in case of accidents.
• Plenty of car parking options near the river.
• Loads of great punting companies operate in Cambridge, including Rutherford’s.
• Quieter than London and less crowded.
• Cambridge punting prices are generally lower than in London.

Cons

• Cambridge can become crowded, especially during the summer months.
• Small rivers mean frequent collisions, although these are usually harmless to passengers and cause nothing more than a slight rocking of the vessel.
• Fewer landmarks and amenities than in London.

Where Else Can You Go Punting In The UK?

When most people think of punting, they think of either Cambridge or Oxford. These university cities are great to visit and have a strong punting culture. You can learn more about Punting In Oxford VS Cambridge from our guide.

There are several other towns and cities in England where you can go punting, including Bath, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Canterbury. While they are not all home to world-renowned universities, they do boast amazing architecture and culture. Stratford-Upon-Avon was the home of William Shakespeare, and Bath features majestic Roman architecture.

While these are all great options, when it comes to a city with a strong punting heritage, Cambridge is one of the best. From the comfort of your boat, you can see almost all the colleges, including the famous King’s College and Trinity College. While Cambridge might not be as urban and vibrant as London, it does offer a perfect combination of city and country, with great pubs and places to picnic. So, if you’re planning your trip around punting, a punting tour up the River Cam with Rutherford’s is the perfect choice.

How To Choose The Right City For Your Punting Trip

Overall, while London was the birthplace of punting, it’s no longer the top choice for a punting trip. The city has a lot to recommend it, but if you’re planning on taking a holiday specifically to go punting, Cambridge is a great idea.

Having taken hundreds of tours across the River Cam since our inception in 2016, we might be a little biased, but in our honest opinion, we believe that Cambridge, with its historic universities and stunning scenery, including the legendary college backs, is one of the best places in the UK for punting.

At Rutherford’s, we specialise in Cambridge punting tours and are here to help visitors see the city in all its glory. Punting in Cambridge is a long-held tradition and one which we are proud to uphold. Your tour guide will be ready to share historical facts and their knowledge of the university as they punt you along this absolutely beautiful stretch of the Cambridge countryside.

To help you see the sights, we offer shared punting and private punting, as well as punting experiences and events, so you can tailor your punting trip to meet your exact needs. We can cater to families and even welcome dogs because everyone’s welcome on our chauffeured tours of this illustrious city.

If you’re eager to see Cambridge from the best seats in the house (heated, of course), then purchasing tickets couldn’t be easier. Either visit us at our Jesus Green Moorings or use our online platform to book your Rutherford’s Punting Tour. See you soon!