Is punting a dog-friendly activity?

One of our most frequently asked questions at Let’s Go Punting, is, Is punting a dog-friendly activity?

Can I take my dog on board my punting tour?

We get it, your four legged little companion is a huge part of your lives. Moreover, you want to bring them out to experience as much of the world as possible. We feel the same. That’s why with Let’s Go Punting, we are dog friendly. You can bring your furry friend with you onboard our  punting tours. Moreover, Dogs are more than welcome on our private punting tours. As small to medium well behaved dogs are allowed on our shared punting tours.

All we say is to keep the dog on the lead at all times. it can be tempting for dogs on the boats to jump into the crisp waters of the River Cam. However, it isn’t pleasant for dogs and humans alike, to sit through the rest of your punting experience cold, wet and probably a bit smelly. You can check out one of our older blog posts about what not to do when punting, here.

One of a kind punting experience

Another added benefit of punting with your pooch, is being able to see the famous university college grounds. Otherwise inaccessible for those of you with a dog in tow. In addition, the beauty of the colleges is accentuated by their grandeur architecture and vivid history. And in our (very humble and non biased) opinion, punting is the best way to fully soak up what Cambridge has to offer. During the tour, you will pass 7 riverside colleges and numerous famous sights. You can find out more information about one of the most interesting sights on the tour, The Wren Library, here.

Our tours last for approximately fifty minutes and are a mile up and down the college backs, so its enough time to give you and your dog(s) a chance to relax and take in the sites.

If you’re in the city for a day or even a weekend, we’ve found some fun activities to do with your canine companion.

Stay at dog-friendly hotels

If you’re in the city for a couple of days you may just be wondering, where can I stay that allows dogs. Luckily Cambridge is a paw friendly place to visit, with a wide range of hotels and guest houses at your disposal. Plenty of choice? Don’t know which one to pick? Well that’s why we are here.  We will help make your stay in Cambridge go as seamless as possible. For one thing, we’ve picked two of our favourite dog friendly places to stay, The Varsity Hotel and The Quy Mill Hotel.

The Varsity Hotel is situated just a stones throw away from our landing stage. The Varsity Hotel and Spa presents a laid back atmosphere whilst also being in the centre of all the busyness Cambridge has to offer. Furthermore, the hotel boasts two restaurants, a spa, a gym and a roof terrace. If this alone hasn’t sold The Varisty to you, then perhaps the fact it is dog friendly will. All you need to do is let them know in advance that you are bringing your dog with you and they can allocate you the best room for your pooch. There is a one-off charge of £15 per dog.

The Quy Mill Hotel. This hotel is slightly further out of Cambridge, situated just off the A14. The hotel boasts lots of ground space with public and cycling paths. Perfect for you and your dog to get plenty of fresh air and exercise.

Eat at dog-friendly restaurants

Like with finding places to stay with your dog, finding somewhere to eat that allows dogs can be hard. Luckily there are some really lovely restaurants dotted around.

A bit further out from the centre are two really amazing spots in Grantchester. The famous Orchard described on the website as ‘A corner of England where time stands still as the outside world rushes by’. It  allows dogs in their gardens. So if you fancy a afternoon tea or a space to relax, read, draw or write. The Orchard is the place for you.

Another restaurant just round the corner is The Rupert Brooke. The restaurant is owned by The Chestnut Group ,whose portfolio has some of the best restaurants throughout Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk. The team there offer a special dog menu, dog treats and tips for the best dog walks around the area. Be sure to check them out.

Walking tours around Cambridge

At Let’s Go Punting we work with Stride, a walking tour company. They offer tours ranging form 1hr, 1.5hr and 2hr’s. It’s dog friendly AND if you book a punting tour with us, you can get a 20% discount on a walking tour.

We hope this guide to Punting with Dogs helps answer some of your questions and we hope to welcome you and your fluffy companion on board soon!