What is it? Cambridge’s most famous pastime (apart from reading loads of books) and one of the best ways to see the city. The good news is you don’t even need to work your own arm muscles.
Why go? To get within sniffing distance of Cambridge and not go punting is like going to Pisa and not seeing the leaning tower. The brave and the skilled do the stick-bit themselves, but if you’re a first-timer, book a gondolier-like guide to navigate the River Cam for you.
Opening hours: Daily, 9am–6pm (times may vary by operator and season).
Address: Punting stations can be found along the River Cam, with popular departure points at Mill Lane and Quayside (CB5 8AB).
Time Out tip: Avoid sunny summer weekends like the plague, when the river descends into chaos – think New York City rush hour traffic with colliding boats and sharp, flailing poles, plus an all-too-real chance of falling in. It gets pretty ugly.