Planning your visit to Quayside
Practical details for getting there, choosing your moment, and making the most of the area around Magdalene Bridge.
The essentials
Location
Quayside sits beside Magdalene Bridge, Magdalene Street, Cambridge CB5 8AB. It is about 0.6 miles from Drummer Street bus station, a walk of roughly 10 to 15 minutes.
Best time to go
Mornings and early evenings are quieter. Summer weekends draw the biggest crowds; a weekday punt trip is notably calmer.
Nearby
Several bars and restaurants line the quay itself, and it's a short stroll to Bridge Street's shops and cafés.
On foot, by bike, or by bus
Quayside is compact and central, so most visitors reach it on foot. The railway station is about 1.5 miles away, a walk of roughly 30 minutes. You can also take a bus or taxi towards the centre and walk the last part, which is about 10 to 15 minutes from Drummer Street bus station.
Cambridge is a cycling city, with cycle parking around the centre. Please keep the riverfront clear when you lock up. There is no visitor parking at the riverside itself, and central Cambridge has limited, paid parking, so many visitors use one of the Park & Ride sites on the edge of the city and bus in.
Seasonal notes
Punting runs year-round, weather and river conditions permitting. Summer (June to August) is busiest and warmest; spring and autumn offer a quieter river with the colleges still in session.
What else is close by
Bridge Street
A short walk from the water, lined with shops, cafés, and a direct route into the historic city centre.
Magdalene College
The college stands beside Magdalene Bridge, across the river from Quayside. It is also the starting point of the College Backs on a punt trip. Read the Magdalene College guide.
Jesus Green
A large riverside park a short walk downstream from Quayside along the river path, with open grass and an outdoor swimming pool. Midsummer Common lies just beyond it. Read the Jesus Green guide.
Magdalene Bridge
The cast-iron Great Bridge of 1823 beside the quay, at a crossing with a documented history reaching back to at least 875. Read the Magdalene Bridge guide.
Castle Mound and Kettle's Yard
North of the river, Castle Mound is the surviving motte of the Norman castle, with a panoramic view over Cambridge. Kettle's Yard is a house and modern art collection on Castle Street. Castle Mound and Kettle's Yard.
Midsummer Common
Beyond Jesus Green, an open riverside common with grazing cattle and the historic Midsummer Fair. Read the Midsummer Common guide.
A walk from Quayside
- Start at Quayside and look at Magdalene Bridge.
- Cross the bridge to Magdalene College.
- Continue up Castle Street to Kettle's Yard.
- Walk a little farther to Castle Mound.
- Return to Quayside and follow the riverside boardwalk into Jesus Green.
- Continue through the park and cross Victoria Avenue into Midsummer Common.
Allow a half day, and check opening times for Kettle's Yard and the college before you set out.
Frequently asked
Yes, it's in the historic centre and easily walkable from most central Cambridge locations. Driving in is discouraged given limited parking; Park & Ride is the more practical option for visitors arriving by car.
Summer weekends and school holidays are the busiest times. If you'd prefer a quieter visit, aim for a weekday morning or early evening.
The Punt Yard was a bar and restaurant at 6-8 Quayside. It officially opened on 25 November 2016 and was reported closed by February 2022. This website later adopted the Punt Yard name for its guide to Quayside and Cambridge punting. See the full history for more.
Ready to book a punt?
Compare your options and get oriented before you go.