Cambridge's Most Memorable View

If you’re searching for a Wine & Cheese Tasting in Cambridge, Let’s Go Punting has the perfect evening experience. Our new Wine & Cheese Tastings on the Cam event combines a traditional Cambridge punt tour with a guided tasting of British wines and artisan cheeses. Taking place on Friday 31st July at 7:00pm, this exclusive 90-minute experience offers a unique way to explore the River Cam whilst enjoying exceptional British produce.

Launching on Friday 31st July at 7:00pm, this exclusive 90-minute experience offers a unique way to explore the River Cam. As you glide past Cambridge’s famous College Backs, you’ll sample exceptional British wines and artisan cheeses while enjoying one of the city’s most iconic views.

A Unique Cambridge Evening Experience

At Let’s Go Punting, we’re always looking to create memorable experiences on the River Cam. While our traditional Cambridge punting tours remain one of the city’s most popular attractions, Tastings on the Cam offers visitors and locals the chance to enjoy something a little different.

As you glide through the heart of Cambridge, you’ll enjoy spectacular riverside views, discover exceptional British produce and experience one of the most unique wine tasting experiences in Cambridge.

Guided Wine Tasting with Grape Britannia

We’re delighted to be working with Cambridge wine specialists Grape Britannia, who will guide the tasting throughout the evening.

You’ll sample three carefully selected British wines, each paired with a complementary British cheese and served with crackers. Along the way, you’ll learn about the vineyards behind each wine, the inspiration for every pairing and the growing reputation of English and Welsh winemaking. As a result, you’ll leave with a greater appreciation of Britain’s thriving wine industry.

The Tasting Menu

During the evening, you’ll enjoy three carefully selected British wines, each expertly paired with a complementary British cheese and served with crackers:

• Albion English Fizz 2023
  Paired with Kidderton Ash Goat’s Cheese
• Chilford Hall Vineyard Legacy 2021
  Paired with Wensleydale & Apricot Cheese
• Three Choirs Vineyards Reserve Rosé 2023
  Paired with Somerset Brie

Together, these pairings showcase the quality and character of British wine and artisan cheese. Plus, they perfectly complement your journey along the River Cam.

What’s Included?

Your £45 ticket includes:

• A 90-minute chauffeured Cambridge punt tour
• Three guided British wine tastings
• Three artisan British cheese pairings
• Crackers
• A bottle of water
• Expert guidance from Grape Britannia

Discover One of the Best Things to Do in Cambridge

Whether you’re planning a date night, celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a unique Cambridge evening activity, Wine & Cheese Tastings on the Cam offers an unforgettable experience.

Spaces are limited, so we recommend booking early. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this exclusive wine and cheese tasting on the River Cam and discover some of Britain’s finest wines and cheeses from the best seat in Cambridge.

This summer, we’re excited to introduce a brand new event on the River Cam, in partnership with Cambridge Folk Festival. This year, we’re proud to present ‘Folk on a Boat’, a brand-new, unforgettable, live music event.

Featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter John Bramwell, the event will take place on Thursday, 23rd July from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. This unique event combines the beauty of a summer evening punt with the magic of live folk music. Tickets for the event are limited, so be sure to book well in advance and secure your spot! This intimate performance, submerged in the city’s most iconic settings, is unmissable.

A Perfect Summer Evening on the River Cam

Spend the evening gliding along the River Cam as the evening light settles over Cambridge’s historic colleges. Folk on a Boat Cambridge immerses guests in a 90-minute, serene experience through the heart of the city. Along the way, guests will pass some of Cambridge’s most famous riverside sights while enjoying live acoustic performances from John Bramwell. Bramwell is best known as the frontman of the celebrated band I Am Kloot. His music combines honesty with warmth and storytelling, which provides the perfect soundtrack to a tranquil evening on the River Cam

This experience offers an alternative to the traditional concert venue. This way, guests:

• Do not need to worry about big stages
• Avoid large crowds
• Experience just music, the river, and the atmosphere of Cambridge at sunset

Meet the Artist: John Bramwell

John Bramwell has been regarded as one of the UK’s most compelling and distinctive songwriters. He was the frontman of I Am Kloot and helped in formulating the band’s emotional sound, which earned them widespread critical acclaim.

The band received a Mercury Prize nomination for their ‘The Sky at Night’ album, alongside achieving a UK top 10 album with ‘Let It All In’. To celebrate these achievements, the band performed a farewell orchestral show at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall in 2014.

Bramwell has since developed a distinctive solo career. His album ‘The Light Fantastic’ exemplifies a warm, uplifting sound, decorated with lush arrangements and layered harmonies. This 2023 album marks an exciting new chapter in his musical journey. Bramwell has since spent recent years touring extensively across the UK and beyond.

An Intimate Folk Experience Like No Other

Part of what makes Folk on a Boat Cambridge so special is its unique setting.

Enjoy a close-up acoustic performance this summer in a setting unlike any traditional large venue.

The gentle rhythm of the water and historic colleges lining the banks create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere whilst showcasing the quiet beauty of a Cambridge summer evening.

Ticket Information

Tickets for Folk on a Boat are strictly limited and are on track to sell out quickly.

Prices range from £70 to £300, depending on group size. Plan a memorable evening with friends or a unique date night in Cambridge and enjoy an unforgettable experience on the river.

However, once tickets are gone, they’re gone! Therefore, we strongly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment and secure your place.

What to Know Before You Go

Before joining us on the river, here are some important details to bear in mind:

• Date: Thursday, 23rd July
• Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
• Departure: Tours leave at 7:30 pm sharp (late arrivals may miss the tour)
• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
• Food and drinks: Guests are welcome to bring their own on board
• Picnic options: Available for private tour bookings — please contact us for details. Must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
• Weather: The event goes ahead in poor weather; however, umbrellas and blankets will be provided on board.
• Refunds: Tickets are non-refundable

Further details can be found in our Terms & Conditions.

Book Your Place on Folk on a Boat

Those searching for a truly unique experience in Cambridge this summer simply can’t miss out on Folk on a Boat. This event offers an experience you won’t find anywhere else. By bringing together folk music and one of Cambridge’s most iconic traditions, this event creates a truly unforgettable evening.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of John Bramwell, a lover of live folk music, or simply searching for a memorable night on the River Cam, this intimate performance promises an extraordinary atmosphere.

Book your tickets here today — once tickets are gone, they’re gone.

Cambridge is a city unlike any other. With its Gothic architecture, picturesque bridges and world-famous colleges, it’s hard to ignore its beauty. However, many of the hidden gems on the River Cam remain tucked away from the typical tourist’s view. The city is home to a plethora of architectural details, each one holding its own story and anecdote. These hidden sights on the River Cam are visible only from the seat of a punt.

Known to few, the land surrounding the River Cam is owned by the University of Cambridge. As a result, many of the city’s most striking details remain hidden from both tourists and locals—unless they are on the river. Punting along the College Backs offers a sublime and truly unique perspective. This experience simply cannot be matched on foot. In this blog, we will explore the hidden details along the river that bring Cambridge’s traditions to life. Alongside this, we will underpin some of the most captivating stories shared on our punting tours.

Where Every Bridge Tells a Story

Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs is one of Cambridge’s most iconic landmarks, setting the bar high as the first bridge on our tour and offering a rare view unavailable to the general public. Its original name was the ‘New Bridge’ until Queen Victoria formulated her own name for it. It is claimed that she believed it to resemble Venice’s Bridge of Sighs, prompting the change. Although the resemblance is debatable, no one dared correct the Queen, and the name stuck!

Its name is said to mirror the expressions of students as they cross the bridge on their way to the examination hall, a moment often observed from the punts passing beneath.

The Bridge of Sighs’ fame skyrocketed in 1963 after students punted a 1928 Austin Seven down the river using four tied-together punts. They then hoisted the car under the bridge overnight without detection. Don’t believe us? Here’s the proof: Cambridge News.

The Curious Detail Hidden in Clare Bridge

Built between 1639 and 1640 by Thomas Grumbold and restored in 1969, Clare Bridge is the oldest bridge on the College backs. However, ironically, it is still incomplete. If you look closely enough, one of the 14 stone balls decorating the bridge has a wedge piece missing. Folklaw says Grumbold mismeasured the river, resulting in a very obvious, uneven arch. The college, in response, withheld full payment. The architect definitely removed a section of the stone to balance the shortfall. The whereabouts of this missing slice is still a mystery to all but Grumbold.

Kings Bridge

One of the historically darker bridges along the river, King’s Bridge is known for its dated forms of reconciliation. Built by Francis Braidwood in 1819, this bridge was one of the last locations in England where duels to the death were legally permitted. This reveals a darker side of Cambridge’s history, where certain outdated traditions lingered far longer than one might expect.

College Facades & Hidden Features

A Hidden River Cam Detail: Benedict Spinola’s Head

Some hidden sights on the River Cam have a much bigger backstory. Just outside Las Iguanas on Quayside, a water-spouting gargoyle looms ominously along the riverside. The face is said to depict Benedict Spinola, a 16th-century banker who swindled the college out of property in London. Over 400 years later, in 1989, the makers of Spitting Image created the head as a tongue-in-cheek revenge. This is a detail only visible from the river.

The Doorway You Only Notice from the Water: New Court’s Back Entrance

Along St John’s College stands an incongruous wooden door leading straight to the river’s edge. Originally used for collecting goods transported from the river, rumour has it that nowadays, current university students disguise it as a fire exit in order to trick freshers into running through it during alarm tests.

St John’s New Court Clock Tower

This next detail is easy to miss as you drift along the river: the clock tower that famously has no clock. A long-standing rivalry between Trinity and St John’s decreed that whichever college finished its tower first would earn the right to install a chiming clock. Trinity won by quietly cheating, throwing up a temporary wooden tower first. This left St John’s with a permanent reminder of defeat. The absence is still visible from your punt today.

President’s Lodge

The President’s Lodge is a stately riverside building steeped in history. It also reveals a hidden story if you look closely. Higher up, several windows were bricked over in the 1600s to avoid the infamous window tax. This was a peculiar levy that literally encouraged homeowners to shut out the light, giving rise to the phrase “daylight robbery.”

Insider Tips for Discovering Hidden Gems on the River Cam

To fully appreciate these hidden sights on the River Cam, don’t hesitate to ask your chauffeur to point them out as you glide past. Punting may be leisurely, but it’s important to keep hands and arms inside the punt, especially on busy summer days, when the river can become surprisingly crowded.

For the best experience, early-morning or late-evening trips are quieter and more immersive. These times are ideal for photo opportunities or simply soaking up Cambridge’s historic nature.

Book a guided tour to explore Cambridge’s hidden architecture firsthand and discover a side of the city that few ever see. For an elevated private tour experience, check out our Punting Picnics too!