Self-Hire Punting in Cambridge
Self-hire punting in Cambridge: how hard punting is, what an hour's hire includes (a lesson, life jackets, an ID deposit), and when a chauffeured tour is the better choice.
Punting yourself in Cambridge is easy to start and hard to do well: on a quiet stretch most people are moving straight within ten minutes, but steering a punt through the crowd on the Backs on a summer afternoon is where self-hirers zigzag, bump and lose the pole. An hour’s self-hire with a quick lesson and life jackets is the cheapest way on the water for a group; a chauffeured tour is the better choice if you want to see and hear about the colleges.
What a self-hire includes
Granta Moorings’ Self Rental Punting is a one-hour hire, listed from US$51 for up to six people (October 2026), with tuition and life jackets, and the choice of heading towards the colleges or upstream to Grantchester Meadows. Canadian open canoes are also available. An ID deposit is required, and time beyond the hour is charged pro rata. Scudamore’s also runs a large self-hire fleet from its Mill Lane boatyard and requires pre-booking.
At the kiosk, Granta Moorings’ own site lists self-hire at £38 a boat for the first hour (£34 with a student card or CAMcard), up to five or six people, then charged per quarter hour, with an ID deposit (summer 2026 rates, checked October 2026). Trinity College hires its punts to the public at £24 an hour with a photo-ID deposit, from Good Friday to the end of October only. Scudamore’s website was under maintenance in October 2026 with online booking paused and no prices shown; its stations take walk-ups and phone bookings on 01223 359750.
How to punt
Stand on the flat deck at the back, facing the side. Drop the pole straight down beside the punt until it hits the riverbed, then push along it, climbing your hands up the pole, and let it trail behind you as a rudder to steer. Pull it out with a twist if it sticks in the mud, and if it really sticks, let go: a lost pole can be fetched, a person who holds on is pulled off the punt. That is the most common way self-hirers end up in the Cam.
Self-hire or chauffeured?
| Self-hire | Chauffeured tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | Granta self-rental, 1 hour | Rutherford's shared punt |
| From (October 2026) | US$51 per group up to 6 | US$22 per person |
| Who punts | One of you | The chauffeur |
| Commentary | None | Live guide |
| Best for | Groups, Grantchester, an adventure | First visit, the Backs, staying dry |
Choose self-hire for a group that wants the experience of punting, or for the quieter river upstream to Grantchester. Choose a chauffeured tour for the Backs on a busy day, for the stories, and if anyone in the group would rather not risk a soaking. Punting to Grantchester covers the longer trip upstream.
Check times and book
Punt It Yourself From Granta Moorings
Granta's self-rental punting is a one-hour hire with a quick lesson and life jackets, on the river towards the colleges or Grantchester Meadows. Rated 4.7 from 36 reviews, listed from US$51 per group of up to six as of October 2026, with an ID deposit.
Check Self-Hire Times