Quayside: the river landing where Cambridge began
A guide to the historic stretch of riverbank by Magdalene Bridge — once a Roman crossing and medieval trading dock, now the busiest punting station in the city.
Three ways into Quayside
The history
From a Roman river crossing to a Danish trading port to the redeveloped quarter you see today — 2,000 years in one place.
Punting from Quayside
What punting actually involves, self-hire versus chauffeured tours, and what to expect from the operators based here.
Visiting Quayside
Getting there, when to go, what's nearby, and how to spend a few hours by the river.
The busiest punting station in Cambridge
Quayside sits at the point where the River Cam meets Magdalene Bridge — one of six punting stations licensed by the Conservators of the River Cam, and the one most visitors reach first, since it's a five-minute walk from the city centre.
The area takes its name from the working docks that once stood here, unloading goods brought up the Cam by barge. That trade is long gone, but the riverside function has persisted for centuries — first as a quay, now as a launch point for punts.
At a glance
Ready to see Cambridge from the water?
Quayside is the easiest place in the city to start a punt tour — check the practicalities, then go.