Shared Punting Tour

Shared Punting Tours In Cambridge

A luxury 50-minute shared punting tour of the River Cam on our chauffeured punts
Board and embark at our Pontoon next to the Jesus Green Moorings
Glide under nine beautiful historic bridges, including the Bridge of Sighs
Travel through the College Backs, past 7 riverside Colleges
See the famous sights, including the unparalleled architectural treats of riverside buildings
Hear the inspiring history behind the city you see today and learn interesting facts
Want a special punting experience but don’t want to splash out on a private boat? Browse our add-ons to spice up your shared tour. Simply choose your tour, date, and time and the list will be presented to you

Experience punting the way it was supposed to be with Rutherford’s. Our stunning wooden punts offer quiet luxury as you glide down the River Cam and everything this glorious city has to offer.

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      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   emma 
 31 October 2026
 
 
  Highly recommended
A fabulous punting tour taken today with Charlie as our guide. Informative and relaxing with blankets to keep us warm as the chill set in. Charlie was informative and entertaining and we had a great trip. Highly recommended
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Nicola E 
 29 October 2026
 
 
  We had Jack, he was well spoken and very knowledgeable and also very nice.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Kelvin Chang 
 27 October 2026
 
 
  Great experience- Cheng was fantastic as a guide!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   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.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   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.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   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!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Richard Davies 
 20 October 2026
 
 
  Great experience, great history facts and a really fun 50 minutes on the river
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   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!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   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!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   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.
  
 
 
  
 
 
   Trustindex rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 2896 reviews

Book A Shared Punting Tour With Rutherford’s

Choose our shared punting tours of Cambridge to see the world-famous College Backs in comfort and style. Shared tours are especially cost-effective for smaller groups looking to travel on a budget.

Just because it’s a cost-effective option doesn’t mean shared punting in Cambridge isn’t a unique experience you’ll treasure forever. On our VisitEngland Rose Marque tour, you’ll travel by punt up and down 1 mile (1.6km) of magnificent beauty on one of our classic Cambridge wooden boats.

Our guides will entertain you with Cambridge’s fascinating history as you see the sublime University of Cambridge buildings, elite bridges and private gardens that are only visible from the river. Cambridge punting doesn’t get any better than sitting in a comfortable boat as your guide shares their knowledge.

During your chauffeured punting tour, you’ll see the city’s most beautiful sights including Queens’ Mathematical Bridge, King’s Chapel and the famous St John’s Bridge of Sighs. Your expert tour guide will take you along the river on a classic shared punt, dressed with cushions for your comfort.

If you’re looking to experience this unique side of Cambridge for less, our shared tour is the best option for those on a budget. For the best savings, book online before you head to the river. Our dynamic pricing structure is updated online first, so it beats the costs you’ll get on the day at our ticket office. Booking in advance also means you’re more likely to secure your seat, meaning you can sit back and relax as you wait for your trip, knowing you’ve got the best rates. You can find out more about our costs on our pricing page or on our Cambridge Punting FAQs page or learn more with our guide: What Is Punting?

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Customise Your Shared Punting Experience

Our shared punting tours can be customised to suit your needs, so you can make the experience your own. That’s why shared punting is perfect for the whole family. If the entire group is happy, you can even bring your dog on a dog day out, but we often encourage pet owners to consider a private tour for their comfort and to avoid waiting.

For hungry travellers, there are many delicious snacks available to enjoy. Book some treats for your tour, order at the checkout, and your drinks and nibbles will be awaiting your arrival on the day. You can then relax and enjoy the trip with your treats as you glide down the banks of the River.

Our shared punting tours are the most cost-effective option we offer, and there’s always a way to save. Keep a lookout on our Instagram, Facebook or our website banner, as we regularly release punting offer codes to help you get the best possible deal.

When travelling with family, visit our Family Punting page for information on our budget-friendly tickets. Select your family size to get the best deals when booking our Shared Punting Tickets.

All children under 12, or indeed anyone celebrating their inner child, can grab one of our beautiful Children’s College Backs Map from our Bookings Desk as you join the tour. The booklet is a creative masterpiece, with an accurate map that can be used to create your own creature scavenger hunt.

With Rutherford’s, you can create your own journey down the river and enjoy punting Cambridge at the best possible price. You can see the sights throughout the year, whether during the summer or on special occasions, like Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Book today to secure your place on the next shared tour of Cambridge.

See you on the river!

Shared Punting Tours of Cambridge

Your Punting Experience

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Terms

Punting Events

A family with children punting in Cambridge, passing beneath the famous Bridge of Sighs - gothic revival splendor. The children are leaning out of the boat and smiling.

Mother’s Day Punting 2024

Best Cambridge Mother’s Day Activity. If your Mother deserves the world, and some serious appreciation for everything she does for you, then our Mother’s Day Punting Tour is just perfect.

Cambridge Distillery Gin Trio on a punt - sampling the best on our gin punting tour.

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.

A young couple sitting in a punting boat and gazing into each others eyes.

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.

Trinity & St John's May Balls Cambridge Punting Experiences

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 of these magical evenings in June.

Two young women smiling and toasting glasses.

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.

A greyscale photo of the Bridge of Sighs, an ornately carved, arched stone bridge.

Ghost Tour Punting

Halloween Punting Tour Trick or Treat! Intrepid travellers beware – this city is seriously spooky. On Halloween, you’ll love this foray punting into the dark side of our city on our legendary shared ghost tours.