The Backs
Around 2km one way along Queen's Road, Magdalene Bridge to Silver Street ·
About
The run of college gardens, lawns and bridges along the western bank of the Cam behind Magdalene, St John's, Trinity, Clare, King's and Queens', and the one view that ties the whole city together: dressed college stone giving way to a working river, with punts drifting through the frame. Queen's Road, running along the western edge of the Backs from Magdalene Bridge down to Silver Street, is the free, public way to walk it on foot or by bike without getting on the water at all; some individual college gardens (Clare's in particular) charge a small admission to walk through them directly. Free, open at all reasonable hours, and at its best either early morning before the tour groups or at golden hour in the evening.
Highlights
- ✓The classic view of King's College Chapel and Clare College from across the river
- ✓The Bridge of Sighs at St John's and the Mathematical Bridge at Queens'
- ✓Punts passing constantly in season
- ✓Free to walk along Queen's Road; some college gardens charge separately
Tips
- →Early morning, before 9am in summer, is the quietest window and the best light on the Chapel.
- →Queen's Road itself is free; walking directly through a college's own garden (Clare's, for example) usually costs a small separate admission.
- →Combine with a punt trip to see the same view from the water.