moderate
2hr45 - 3hr45
Suitable for visitors in average physical condition comfortable walking for a few hours.
Discover Cambridge’s famed colleges and charming river on a combined walking and punting tour led by university alumni. Explore iconic landmarks and hear insider stories while cruising the River Cam on a traditional flat-bottomed punt.
2hr45 - 3hr45
Experience the rich history and stunning architecture of Cambridge on a captivating walking tour led by knowledgeable student guides. Explore iconic sites like King’s College and the Mathematical Bridge while uncovering intriguing stories of famous alumni. Enhance your adventure with a serene punting tour, immersing yourself in this timeless tradition.
Duration
What to Know and Provide
Our guides, Cambridge alumni or students, blend personal experiences with a passion for the city's history and architecture. Our 90-minute tour covers highlights like the Corpus Clock, the Eagle Pub, the Old Cavendish Laboratory, Queens’ College and the Mathematical Bridge, King’s College from the Backs, Trinity College, Trinity Hall and St. John’s College, Gonville and Caius, the Senate House.
Take a fascinating walk through Cambridge, where history comes alive. Be inspired by the colleges of Alan Turing, Lord Byron, Isaac Newton, and Stephen Hawking while admiring stunning Gothic and Baroque architecture. Marvel at a thousand-year-old Anglo-Saxon church tower and a contemporary (and controversial) clock that doesn’t even tell the time properly. Cambridge is a city full of inspiring, baffling, and downright outrageous stories waiting to be told.
This shared walking tour is conducted in English and takes place outdoors. Indoor access to structures is not included unless specifically booked as an additional option. For possible entry to specific colleges, we recommend arranging this in advance.
Cambridge wouldn’t be the same without its students, and it’s their presence that makes our walking tours so special. Combining a deep passion for the city’s history and architecture with insider knowledge, all our tour guides are either graduates or current students of the University of Cambridge. You’ll hear about what students really get up to— from “college parents” to lavish May Balls and those dreaded all-nighters in between. Discover which college is considered the poshest, which is the richest, which has the most funds, and which serves the worst food. Hearing it all from those who experience it firsthand, you’ll gain a true sense of Cambridge as seen from within the college walls.
Our punting tours offer an excellent way to experience the most famous Cambridge colleges in just 45-50 minutes. As you glide along the river, you'll pass through eight colleges and under nine bridges, including sights like the magnificent King’s College Chapel and the intriguing Mathematical Bridge. The stunning views are the perfect setting for a fascinating and often humorous history of Cambridge. With tales spanning centuries—from tyrannical rulers and student pranks to intellectual giants—this is history brought to life.
Originally used for transporting cargo through the fens, punts are flat-bottomed boats designed for shallow waters, propelled by a long pole. By the early 20th century, punting had evolved into a beloved leisure activity, becoming an iconic part of Cambridge tradition. Today, punting is the most popular way for students and visitors to enjoy the tranquil scenery of the college backs. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this tradition on a shared Cambridge punting tour!
The tour covers cobbled streets and moderate walking distances; sturdy footwear will keep you comfortable throughout.
Weather can change quickly in Cambridge; layering helps you stay comfortable regardless of conditions.
No scheduled restroom breaks during the tour, so it’s best to go beforehand to avoid discomfort.
The guide moves at a moderate pace and won’t wait for stragglers; staying close ensures you don’t miss important stories.
Founded in 1209, Cambridge University is one of the world’s oldest, with colleges preserving architectural styles from medieval to modern times.
Tour operators encourage minimal waste and respect for historic sites to preserve Cambridge’s cultural and natural environment.
Essential for navigating cobblestones and walking several miles comfortably.
Keeps you comfortable through Cambridge’s variable weather conditions.
Stay hydrated during the walking and punting portions of the tour.
Capture stunning views of historic colleges and the River Cam.