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Grantchester Punt Hire
Punt Hire to Grantchester
In Grantchester, in Grantchester! --
Some, it may be, can get in touch
With Nature there, or Earth, or such.
From The Old Vicarage, Grantchester (Rupert Brooke)
More tranquil than the College Backs, the idyllic Upper River meanders through fenland, woods and meadows to the beautiful village of Grantchester. This popular retreat, lying some 4km (2.5 miles) to the south of Cambridge, was once the beloved home of the First World War poet, Rupert Brooke.
Generations of day-trippers have punted to this 'upriver resort' to take tea at the Orchard or relax on the meadows. We've preserved this Edwardian tradition at our Mill Lane boatyard in Cambridge, where we offer traditional punts to hire for 60 minutes, 90 minutes or 3 hours.
Tickets from just £42.50
Flexible online bookings
Guaranteed entry time
1. Select type of boat:
6 person punt
from £42.50
13 person punt
from £72.00
Punt age requirements:
- To hire a punt you need to be aged 16 years or older
- There is no minimum age to seat in a punt
- One adult aged 18 years or older is required if the punt will seat people aged under 16 years old
Pick up location:
- Boatyard Punting Station at Granta Place, Cambridge City Centre.
- For more information please visit "Find Us" page.
Boat Capacity:
You are renting a whole punt. A punt can fit up to 6 people. 5 people are seated and 1 person from your group punting.
Punt age requirements:
- To hire a punt you need to be aged 16 years or older
- There is no minimum age to seat in a punt
- One adult aged 18 years or older is required if the punt will seat people aged under 16 years old
Pick up location:
- Boatyard Punting Station at Granta Place, Cambridge City Centre.
- For more information please visit the "Find Us" page.
Boat Capacity:
You are renting a whole punt. A punt can fit up to 13 people. 12 people are seated and 1 person from your group punting.
Know before you buy ▾
Getting here ▾
- The minimum age for hiring a boat is 16 years old. If your party has members 15 years old or younger they must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or older.
- The maximum capacity of a 6 person self-hire punt is 6 people (5 passengers + 1 punter) and 13 person self-hire punt is 13 people (12 passengers + 1 punter).
- Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your booking slot to allow time for checking in. At check-in you'll be asked to leave a contactless card hire deposit, then read and electronically sign our Conditions of Hire.
- You can easily reschedule your booking up to 1 hour before departure by following the link in your booking confirmation.
- Once you've boarded your punt you'll receive a hire handover briefing from a member of our staff, after which your hire commences.
- Any additional hire beyond your allotted time will be calculated at the usual hourly hire rate of £3.5 per 6 minutes for a 6 person punt and £7 for a 13 person punt.
- We ask that you do your best to return your punt on time at the end of your hire slot to avoid potential delays to other customers who may be waiting.
- Grantchester punt hire takes place between our Boatyard Punt Station in Cambridge and the village of Grantchester. Boats can't be taken on the lower river, along the College Backs. To see the College Backs and its colleges you can book our College Backs self-hire boats.
- Paid bookings, cancelled up to 48 hours in advance are eligible for a refund minus an administration fee equal to 30% of the booking's value up to a cap of £50. We are unable to offer refunds less than 48 hours in advance except in cases of dangerous conditions.
- Bookings are subject to our Terms & Conditions.
Please call us on 01223 359750 if you have any questions about your purchase.
2. Select hire length:
90 minute hire
from £42.50
3 hour hire
from £76.50
6 hour hire
from £118.50
Want to experience the joy of punting? The 90 minute hire is a great value way to get out on the water.
Highlights:
- Sheep's Green: 15 minutes of punting
- Paradise Nature Reserve: 35 minutes of punting.
Do you want more time to enjoy the quiet spots along the upper river? Then a longer 3-hour hire might be best for you.
Highlights:
- Sheep's Green: 15 minutes of punting
- Paradise Nature Reserve: 35 minutes of punting.
The best option if you want to have a picnic or spend some nice time under the rays on Grantchester Meadows.
Highlights:
- Sheep's Green: 15 minutes of punting
- Paradise Nature Reserve: 35 minutes of punting
- Grantchester Meadows: 1 hour of punting
3. Select pricing - per 6 person boat:
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3. Select pricing - per 6 person boat:
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3. Select pricing - per 6 person boat:
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2. Select hire length:
90 minute hire
from £72.00
3 hour hire
from £130.00
6 hour hire
from £202.00
Want to experience the joy of punting? The 90 minute hire is a great value way to get out on the water.
Highlights:
- Sheep's Green: 15 minutes of punting
- Paradise Nature Reserve: 35 minutes of punting.
Do you want more time to enjoy the quiet spots along the upper river? Then a longer 3-hour hire might be best for you.
Highlights:
- Sheep's Green: 15 minutes of punting
- Paradise Nature Reserve: 35 minutes of punting.
The best option if you want to have a picnic or spend some nice time under the rays on Grantchester Meadows.
Highlights:
- Sheep's Green: 15 minutes of punting
- Paradise Nature Reserve: 35 minutes of punting
- Grantchester Meadows: 1 hour of punting
3. Select pricing - per boat:
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3. Select pricing - per boat:
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3. Select pricing - per boat:
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Have a question?
Do I need to pre-book?
We would recommend booking in advance, this way you won't miss your chance to go punting and book yourself a guaranteed entry. On the day kiosk prices vary from pre-booked online prices. If you're looking to book more than 3 boats please contact our Bookings Team on 01223 359750 or at enquiries@scudamores.com.
What if I just turn up?
If you haven't booked before you arrive we strongly advise you to do so on the day through our website. This guarantees you a time slot and a cheaper rate. For those who are unable to pre-book, we may have walk-up availability at the kiosk at our standard rates.
Can I change my booking time?
Yes. The time and date of your booking can be changed up to 1 hour in advance. Just follow the unique link in your e-booking confirmation where you can select a new date and time.
How many people can go in a punt?
Our 6 person self-hire punts are limited to 5 passengers + 1 punter and 13 person punts to 12 passengers + 1 punter. Babies and toddlers count towards the total number of passengers.
What should I wear?
We suggest that you wear something you don’t mind getting a little wet. Remember to dress appropriately for the weather. If there's a chance of rain, don't forget to bring a raincoat or umbrella. You need to make sure you have the correct footwear, that is non-slip, stable, can’t fall off easily and offers protection to your toes and heel. Please do not punt in bare feet or wear sandals, flip-flops, slip-on, leather-soled or high-heeled shoes
Do you offer life jackets?
Personal buoyancy aids for swimmers or life jackets for non-swimmers are available on request before your hire.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, we are decidedly dog-friendly, so feel free to bring along your four-legged friends! In our experience, dogs love a day out on (and sometimes in) the river every bit as much as their owners.
Can I book a kayak or a canoe?
Yes. They are availableto book towards Grantchester from our Boatyard punt station.
Can I see the famous colleges and The Backs?
Not with the Grantchester punt hire. The route takes you out of Cambridge towards the meadows and rural areas surrounding the city. To see the colleges and The Backs, you can join our chauffeured tours or book a punt hire on The Backs.
What is a concession?
We offer preferential rates for groups such as students, seniors and much more. You can see the full list here
Any other questions?
Email: enquiries@scudamores.com
Phone: 01223 359750