Cambridge Backs and City Paddling Tour

Explore the Cambridge Backs on the River Cam showcasing one of Britain's most famous university towns with stunning architecture, winding backwaters, university buildings & plenty of punts.

Level: Grade 0 - This means it is a flat paddle and should be within most people’s abilities with a few portages

Keep an eye out for specific published dates or book a private session for your family, club or group
Contact us for a private group booking
£99

Next Trip Dates: Contact us for more info
Duration: 6 hours

The River Cam and the Backs is one of our favourite paddling destinations for our own leisure time and private trips. We need to register and get permission for a paddle with the Cam Conservators in advance or we can opt to paddle down to the Orchard Tea Rooms, a truly historic paddle to the cafe that has served poets, prime ministers and royalty for decades.

Options: Choose from canoes, kayaks and paddleboards when booking

What's Included

Craft
Buoyancy Aid
Basic Map
Bank Based Briefing
Dry Bag
Paddles
Professional Coaches
Guiding

We also have some back support for those with back problems

What else we can provide on request

Waterproofs
Hire of Wetsuits
Hire of Drysuits

If you are not able to book this trip then it is at full capacity. Please do contact us if you would like to be added to the waiting list or have group of friends, family or workmates that you wish to book on and we can look at booking a bespoke trip for your group. We run this ever popular trip once a year.

We welcome all abilities for this leisurely paddle by canoe, kayak or SUP through Cambridge on the Backs / Cam. Please note this is private water and we have to submit a request to the Cam conservators.

Trip Description

Visit one of Britains most visited world class destinations with ancicent stone university arches, buildings and architecture to capture your imagination and heart. Its a truly breath taking paddling trip, choose from kayak, canoe or SUP to paddle through the city.

We start on the top river away from the Backs and head to a portage where the river bends around to the right in a loop as if you’re paddling around a roundabout. The lower river takes you to the Old Mill and the Granta riverside pubs although we continue onto the backs with Silver Street Bridge first before the more interesting wooden Mathematical Bridge. King’s College Bridge is next, which – you guessed it – leads to King’s College, and is a beautiful stone affair.

Next comes the traditional stone works of Kitchen Bridge and then the iconic covered arch Bridge of Sighs, which dates to around 1831. The final bridge of this part of the Cam is Magdelene Bridge, located alongside Scudamore’s Punting station and quay. Exploring this city scape by river showcases some of Britains finest architecture with towers, yellow stone walls and bridges making it oen of our favourite all time trips.

Make a short break of it by booking our Cambridge City Paddling Trip along with an overnight stay to visit some of the museums and buildings of the city on the next day. Visit the British Antarctic Survey Museum or one of our personal favourites the Fitz William Museum grabbing one of Fitz Billies afternoon teas or sticky buns as a reward!

Included

Choice of canoe, kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board(SUP)
Expert tuition from professional experienced guides who have run expeditions and adventures all over the world
Hire of drysuits is available on a first-come-first-served basis
Craft, BA’s, Cags, Trousers, Helmets, Drybags, Paddles, and safety equipment

What you will need to bring

Personal Kit
A Sense of Humour!

Note: Itinerary subject to change at any time if deemed necessary by Canoe Trail

MEET OUR GUIDES

Ashley Kenlock

Ash has led expeditions in Canada, Scotland, and some of the other coldest places the world can still offer moving water!

She is is a qualified Level 2 coach UKCC and is also a qualified SUP coach and has over 10 years of paddling experience. She has also completed her canoe leader training.

Experience includes leading trips on iconic rivers and Lochs including Loch Ness, River Wye, Norfolk Broads, and numerous Scottish Rivers.

Calum Steel

Calum is a White Water Kayak Leader, Canoe Leader, and Expedition Leader with 14 Years of Experience in the Outdoors.

He has paddled all over the world, running waterfalls, long distance big-wave sea kayaking, and some of the most dangerous white water in the northern hemisphere.

BASI Level 3 Ski & Snowboard. Scottish born and bred, he has led many canoe and kayak expeditions across Scotland, Greece, and Europe.

Richard Harpham

Richard has completed human-powered adventures all over the world including sea kayaking the channel, 1000 miles from Vancouver to Alaska, canoeing the Yukon River as well as many iconic trips and expeditions closer to home.

Richard has over 30 years experience of in paddling and is a UKCC Level 2 coach, 4-star canoe leader, and has completed his 4-star sea kayak training.

Hire FAQ's

What's the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

If you're not sure of what each craft is, then read our guide here.

Are the trips guided?

There are no guides or instructors needed for hire. This is simply a hire where you paddle out and back to our launch point. We recommend our preferred route, however, you are free-range and able to explore the river.

What if it rains?

Unless you hear from us then your booking will run on the day agreed. Canoe Trail runs watersports, paddling, and adventurous activities throughout the year with people enjoying the river and our woodland campsite during the different seasons. On rare occasions (it only happens a couple of times a year) we may move or change your booking. This will be in freak weather conditions such as extremely high river flows in spate or during heavy storms with lightning. You can read our full FAQ here.

How does the booking process work?

We use a live booking system that will assign you the relevant craft and resources. Once you have confirmed your booking date, it is not then transferable and non-refundable in the same way you book an airline seat. Bookings are to be paid in full at the time of booking and are non-refundable. There will be no refunds for early returns, poor weather, or non-usage as per our general terms & conditions.