Private | Cambridge University Punting Tour

PRIVATE CAMBRIDGE PUNTING TOUR ON THE RIVER CAM – EXCLUSIVE & CHAUFFEURED

Key Highlights

• Fully private tour with customisable route and timing when arranged in advance.
• Chauffeured punt operated by professional punters
• Umbrellas, blankets & cushions provided year round
• Views of Cambridge’s most famous colleges and bridges
• Operated with Scudamores, Cambridge’s oldest punting company
• Entertaining live commentary from expert chauffeurs
• Bring your own refreshments or purchase drinks at the pontoon
• Ideal for birthdays, hen parties, and private celebrations
• Perfect for proposals, anniversaries, and romantic experiences
• Optional twilight punting with illuminated boats (seasonal)

Tour Options

Option 1: Private Half Boat

• Duration: Approximately 45 minutes
• Includes:
  • Professional private chauffeured punting tour by Scudamore’s.
• Languages: Standard English; additional languages are subject to guide availability and proficiency.
• Fully private experience tailored to your group.
• Group Size: Up to 6 guests.
• Excludes: Entry to non-pre-booked colleges, food and drinks, and gratuities.

Option 2: Private Full Boat

• Duration: Approximately 45 minutes
• Includes:
  • Professional private chauffeured punting tour by Scudamore’s.
• Languages: Standard English; additional languages are subject to guide availability and proficiency.
• Fully private experience tailored to your group.
• Group Size: Up to 12 guests.
• Excludes: Entry to non-pre-booked colleges, food and drinks, and gratuities.

Option 2:

Private Bespoke Walking Tour & Cambridge Experience

We specialise in fully tailored private Cambridge experiences, far beyond standard tour formats.

These may include:

•  Multi-language tours (Mandarin, Spanish, and more upon request)
•  Subject-focused academic tours (science, engineering, law, medicine, humanities, arts)
•  School, university, and prospective student programmes
•  Corporate experiences and executive away days
•  Celebration experiences (birthdays, hen parties, proposals)
•  VIP half-day, full-day, or multi-day itineraries

For premium bookings, we can arrange:

• Dedicated alumni guides for extended experiences
• Private dining and restaurant reservations
• College entry and curated academic access (where possible)
• Accommodation and transport coordination
• Multi-city itineraries (Cambridge, Oxford, London)

Each experience can be tailored to your:

• Interests and academic focus
• Group type and occasion
• Language requirements
• Schedule and preferred pace

Create Your Own Bespoke Experience

📧 Contact us at [email protected] with your request, including:

• Group size
• Dates and timing
• Occasion (e.g. proposal, birthday, academic visit)
• Academic or thematic interests
• Any VIP or logistical requests

Our team will design a fully personalised Cambridge experience for you.

Full Description

Experience Cambridge’s most iconic tradition in complete comfort and privacy on a private punting tour along the River Cam, operated by Scudamore’s, the oldest punting company in Cambridge.

As a long-standing official partner of Scudamore’s, Alumni Tours provides access to rigorously trained professional chauffeurs, ensuring a safe, smooth, and high-quality experience on the water. Your private punt is reserved exclusively for your group, offering a relaxed and uninterrupted way to explore Cambridge’s most famous riverside sights.

Choose between a half boat for up to 6 guests or a full boat for up to 12 guests, making this experience ideal for couples, families, corporate groups, and special occasions such as birthdays, hen parties, and proposals.

As you glide along the River Cam, you will pass the Backs — a stretch of stunning college gardens and historic buildings — while your chauffeur provides engaging live commentary on Cambridge’s colleges, traditions, and history.

Guests are welcome to bring their own refreshments, and additional drinks, blankets, and seasonal items such as mulled wine may be available for purchase at the pontoon.

For a more atmospheric experience, twilight punting options may be available, featuring softly lit boats and quieter river conditions — ideal for romantic occasions or special celebrations.

Whether enjoyed as a standalone experience or combined with a private walking tour, this private punting experience offers a quintessential and memorable way to discover Cambridge.

Itinerary

• Departure from Mill Lane (Scudamore’s Station)
• Laundress Green and Darwin College – Drift past open commons and the islands belonging to a college.
• Queens’ College and the Mathematical Bridge – The celebrated wooden bridge, said to have been built without a single nail.
• King’s College Chapel and the Backs – One of England’s most photographed views.
• Clare College and the oldest Bridge on the Cam – The elegant and oldest surviving bridge on the river.
• Kitchen Bridge and the Wren Library – Trinity College’s famous bridge, with Christopher Wren’s library standing close by.
• St John’s College and the Bridge of Sighs – Cambridge’s own Bridge of Sighs, inspired by the one in Venice.
• Magdalene College and back to the station – A last look at the riverbank before returning to Mill Lane.

Who This Tour Is For

• Couples and families
• Private groups and celebrations
• Birthday parties and Dos
• Proposals and romantic occasions
• Corporate and VIP guests
• Travellers seeking a premium, relaxing experience
• International travellers
• First-time visitors to Cambridge
• Alumni visitors
• Nature and landscape lovers

Practical Information

Meeting Point:
Scudamore’s Mill Lane Punting Station, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RS

Duration:
45 minutes

Group Size:
Half boat (up to 6 guests) or full boat (up to 12 guests)

Languages Available:
Standard English; additional languages are subject to guide availability and proficiency.

Accessibility:
Wheelchairs remain at the pontoon; staff can assist with boarding

Why Choose Alumni Tours

• ✔ Official partner of Scudamore’s, Cambridge’s oldest punting company
• ✔ Private and shared experiences tailored for every traveler
• ✔ Professional, rigorously trained chauffeurs
• ✔ High-quality, safe, and well-organised tours
• ✔ Ideal for both sightseeing and special occasions
• ✔ Trusted operator with thousands of positive reviews

🎟️ Book your private punting tour today and experience Cambridge from its most famous waterway.

What’s Included

• Chauffeured punting tour
• Professional punter
• Live commentary throughout the journey

What’s Not Included

• Gratuities
• Food and drinks on the punt (available for purchase or BYO)

Upgrades & Add-Ons

• King’s College Chapel self-guided visit (subject to availability; access at the end of the walking tour, escorted by the guide).
• Private Cambridge walking tour (before or after punting)
• Cambridge + Oxford private day tours
• VIP concierge experiences
• Full-day bespoke Cambridge itineraries

Check-In & Arrival Information

Please arrive 5–10 minutes before your scheduled start time at Scudamore’s Punting Station on Mill Lane.

Upon arrival, provide your booking name and confirmation details to the staff. Your chauffeur will check you in and begin the tour promptly.

If you are running late, please contact us as soon as possible. Delays unrelated to the company’s responsibility are not covered by refunds. If you are late, we will not be able to guide you over the phone to catch up with the group, so please be on time.

Additional Information

What to Bring:

• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Comfortable walking shoes

Special Requirements:
Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult

Health & Safety:
Please follow all safety instructions provided by your chauffeur during boarding and throughout the tour

Important Information

Weather Policy:
Tours operate rain or shine

Late Arrival:
Late arrivals may miss part or all of the tour

Behaviour:
We reserve the right to remove guests who disrupt the experience

Liability:
Guests participate at their own risk

FAQ

What makes this punting tour different?
Operated with Scudamore’s and led by professional chauffeurs, this is a premium private experience with expert commentary.

How long is the tour?
Approximately 45 minutes.

Can we bring drinks on board?
Yes, and additional refreshments may also be available for purchase.

Is this a private tour?
Yes, the punt is reserved exclusively for your group.

Can the private tour be customised?
Yes, private tours can be tailored. Please contact [email protected]

What languages are available?
Punting tours are subject to guide availability and linguistic proficiency.

Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it is suitable for all ages.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?
Yes, the tour runs in all weather conditions.

Large Groups & Special Requests

For large groups, celebrations, or bespoke experiences:
📞 +44 1223 787270
📧 [email protected]

Contact & Confirmation Notes

Communications:
Please provide an email address and phone number that you can access regularly, as we may need to communicate updates. While we are responsible for sending updates, it is the guest’s responsibility to check for and receive these communications.

Cancellations & Refunds:
For small groups, cancellations made 24 hours or more in advance are eligible for a full refund. Larger groups may require a longer cancellation notice period. Please contact management to confirm the applicable cut-off time.

Guests must check in on time and at the correct meeting point or risk missing the tour and needing to purchase new tickets. Traffic or train delays will not qualify for reimbursement or rebooking.

Please arrive at least 5 minutes early.

✆ +44 1223 787270
📧 [email protected]
alumni.tours