What is a Punt?

A punt is a flat-bottomed boat. It has not keeled so it can be used in shallow water. The word punt is the Dutch word for ‘point’ and probably referred to the pointed end of the quant. The quant or pole is used to power the punt. Punts were likely copied from Holland, where the landscape is very flat, similar to that in the Cambridge area.

Why did Punting become Popular in Cambridge?

To understand why punting in Cambridge is so popular, you must consider the geography of the area. Cambridge and the whole of East Anglia, especially the Fenlands, were once marshland. They have been gradually drained over the past 400 years. Before drainage, East Anglia was a collection of islands separated by marshland and rivers, with few roads. It made sense to use punts because their shallow draft allowed them to navigate boggy marshland as well as rivers.

Why are the Buildings so Close to the River?

Small rivers such as the Cam were historically prone to flooding, so architects would avoid building fine architecture close to the river. Cambridge is, of course, a rare exception to this, the reason being that transport and access by boat was vital.

Perfect Conditions for Tourists

Today, in the modern age, tourists enjoy the wonderful unique combination of tradition punting boats, with magnificent buildings right next to the river. Why not book a punt tour yourself with Scholars Punting Cambridge?