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Punting

Punting forms a very important part of the Cambridge experience. The scenic views of Cambridge and its colleges along the river are ones you won't get unless you're in a punt ! You can learn how to do it yourself with trial and error, or you can take guided tours organised by private companies. 

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The CR has three punts – Edmund of Abingdon, Richard Laws, and Grace Lake. They are moored in St John’s College and are available for use by student members of the College in spring and summer months. The maintenance and running costs of the punts comes directly from the CR fee.

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Booking the Punts

Punts can be reserved up to 7 days in advance, for up to 4 hours per day. Each person is only permitted to make one reservation per day. The punts are available from 8am-8pm. The punts are usually only available to hire in the spring and summer months: March - October.

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To reserve a punt, log into the CR booking portal, select punts from the drop-down menu. From here, you can see the availability of all the punts, and by dragging over the time slots you want to book you can make a reservation.

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You may not receive a confirmation email unless you change the notification settings under the 'My account' tab. It is recommended that you change these settings so you can show the St Edmund's Porters the confirmation email when collecting the punting equipment.

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Please cancel any reservations that you do not intend to use!

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By booking the punts, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions detailed here.

Booking the punts for Fellows and Staff

The punts are funded by the CR fee paid for by members of the CR. They are primarily for the use of fee-paying CR members, but staff and fellows are also able to make bookings. Fellows, staff, and other members of the college may email the punt admiral (cr-punts) so their CRSid can be added to the booking system.

Collecting the punts

At St Edmund's

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  1. Collect the punt cushions and a paddle from the St Edmund's reception desk. Two big cushions to sit on, two smaller ones for your backs, and one paddle for use if the stick gets lost

  2. Collect the punt keys, showing your university card and confirmation booking

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At St John's

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  1. Collect the punt from the moorings in the Cripps Quay (St John's rear Porters Lodge in Cripps Court (PL next to number 20 on the map of St John's)). The St Edmund's punts should be in moorings 9, 10, 11 on the closest side of the quay

  2. Identify the punt you booked. It should contain a punt pole (quant), a padlock to keep the punt locked to the bank (we recommend leaving this locked to the hook on the mooring station), and a bailer to remove rainwater

Collecting the punts

Please make sure to return the punt back to St John's on time. The punts are very popular, and it's very annoying if they are not returned on time.

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  1. Ensure the puint is moored in the correct place. If there is already a non-Eddie's punt moored in your station, inform the punt admiral

  2. Ensure all equipment is locked to the punts through the chain

  3. Make sure the punt is securely locked to the quay

  4. Remove all rubbish from the punt

  5. Return the key, cushions, and paddle to the reception at St Edmund's

Problems?

  • If you experience any problems when booking, contact the punt admiral (cr-punts) with your name and CRSid

  • If something is lost or damaged when punting, inform the punt admiral ASAP to allow people with later reservations to be informed

  • Please note that if you fail to comply with the above, or breach the terms and conditions linked to above, you may be prevented from hiring punts in future. This is especially the case for quarrels with St John's Porters, or St John's College, St Edmund's Porters, coming back late, or not reporting damaged equipment

  • We have been given strict instructions by St John's college. Failure to comply may result in the CR not being allowed to return to the river this year, or in future

About the punts

Edmund of Abingdon (CC792)

Similar to the college, this punt is named after St Edmund of Abingdon (1175–1240), the first known Oxford Master of Arts, the Archbishop of Canterbury (where punting is also popular!), and our college’s patron. However, much like the red-billed chough’s that adorn the Coat of arms of Saint Edmund of Abingdon, and can be found on the top left-hand corner of our college arms, let yourself glide over the water, onwards to happier, more peaceful times on the river, of course always with friends!

Richard Laws (CC151)

Our second punt on offer is named after Richard Laws, the former Director of the British Antarctic Survey, Master of St Edmund’s College, and Secretary of the Zoological Society of London. Much like any trepid explorer, seize that spirit within you (or in your hand), and set your sights on finding the semi-aquatic life that can be found on the Cam… who knows?! Maybe you’ll see great whales and elephant seals, just as Richard did on his tours of the Antarctic!

Grace Lake (CC1589)

The final punt, I am incredibly excited about… our final punt is named after an Eddie’s alumna: poet Anna Mendelssohn, or rather by her nom-de-plume: GRACE LAKE. In case you wanted to check my thinking: Lake – Water – River – Cam – Punting – Punt, plus Grace is something we all need a little of, and certainly helps of the River! She may have had quite a rocky time before coming to Cambridge (as you may on the river), but hopefully, much like her you can come to appreciate poetry at St Edmund’s College, and devote your time on the river to poetry and art as you push yourself peacefully!

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