King's College Chapel and punting in Cambridge

The short answer

Book a timed ticket for King’s College Chapel online, then go punting from a licensed station. If you would rather not steer, take a chauffeured punt along the Backs. The river view of the Chapel is one reason people do both in a day.

We could not find hours or closure dates we could read and cite on King’s own pages, so we give none. Check the college’s opening times page for your date.

Visiting the Chapel

King’s sells tickets online through a booking link on its opening times and tickets page. You choose a time slot to see its details and prices. [1] The college also sells discounted Early Bird tickets to people who book ahead. That reduced price ends every Sunday night for the week ahead. [1] The page does not mention buying in person, so do not rely on turning up.

A ticket covers the Chapel and grounds only. Other college buildings are closed to visitors all year. [3] In quieter academic periods the college asks visitors to keep the grounds peaceful. [3]

Because the Chapel is a place of worship and the college runs services there, visiting hours can change. We could not confirm how closures are announced, so check the opening times page and call Visitor Services on +44 (0)1223 331100 if your plans depend on it. [1]

Going to a service instead

Services are free and open to visitors and college members alike. [2] Evensong is typically held six days a week in term time. [2] The college’s rules are strict, and they are worth knowing before you queue:

• Arrive in good time. Latecomers are not admitted once the service has started. [2]
• Bags larger than airline hand-luggage size are not allowed. [2]
• No recording or photography of any kind, and phones should be switched off. [2]
• There are no public toilets in college. [2]
• If you may need to leave early, sit in the Ante-chapel. Allow up to an hour for Evensong. [2]

The page does not say whether services need booking. Ask the Chapel team through the college website.

Punting on the Cam

Punts are long, shallow boats pushed with a pole. Visit Cambridge describes them as usually 6 to 7 metres long. [4] There are two ways to do it.

Chauffeured. Someone else steers. Visit Cambridge names Let’s Go Punting, Cambridge River Tours and Punting Cambridge for private and shared tours. [4] Scudamore’s offers private College Backs tours, where the whole punt is yours, and shared ones where you sit with other guests. [5]

Self-drive. You steer. Scudamore’s offers punt hire on the College Backs after what it calls a staff handover. [5] Visit Cambridge says GHL Punts, from Trinity College, also hires self-guided boats. [4]

Our view: if it is your first time, pay for a chauffeur. The Backs are narrow and busy, and steering with a pole is harder than it looks. This is a judgement call, not an official rule.

Where to start, and what to avoid

Visit Cambridge says licensed operators run from their stations at Quayside, the Mill Pond and near Jesus Green. [4] Scudamore’s names Mill Lane and Quayside. [5] The Backs route passes King’s College Chapel, the Mathematical Bridge, the Wren Library and the Bridge of Sighs. [5]

Visit Cambridge warns that unlicensed operators sell tickets on King’s Parade and elsewhere in the centre. Its advice is to use a licensed operator at its station. [4]

On safety and etiquette, the pages we opened give no rules for punt capacity, age limits or behaviour, and Scudamore’s page does not state them either. Visit Cambridge says to ask your operator for its rules. [4] We have not summarised the river authority’s rules because we could not open them.

Booking tips

• Online booking on Scudamore’s site is for shared and private tours only. Other products, including hire, go through its bookings office on 01223 359750. [5]
• Opening times change by month, so confirm the last tour on the day.
• Visit the Chapel first and punt afterwards, or the other way round. Either order works, but book both.

Places in this article

Photos from our guides; each links to the page that lists the place.