Cambridge's The Backs Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Highlights

  • Offline Mode: Download tours and listen without WiFi

  • Location Aware: GPS map allows you to enjoy the sites

  • Instagram Hotspots: We find the perfect picture spots

  • Enjoy a private experience in a COVID-19 safe environment

Summary

Take the scenic walk around Cambridge and head down to the Backs, a picturesque route across the grounds covering the banks of the River Cam. 

Tour info

Duration
35 minutes
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Adult: (5-100 years)
£9.99
Commentary
English
Meeting Point

Mill Ln, Mill Ln, Cambridgeshire, England, CB2 1RS

Dropoff location

Cambridge, England

Why take this tour?

Join a local historian and PhD student for an adventure down one of Cambridge’s most scenic and peaceful walks: the Backs. 

The Backs runs along many of Cambridge’s famous colleges, and is studded with beautiful architecture, a quaint wooden bridge, sprawling green spaces and quirky stories. 

We’ll begin this private socially-distanced guide alongside the iconic river at Scudamore's Quayside Walk, over the wooden bridge of Silver Street. Immerse yourself in Cambridge's history, architectural highlights and moving stories.                   

Experience iconic key attractions, such as the magnificent views of King's College and its Chapel, Queens College and the Mathematical Bridge. Finish the tour by visiting the beautiful Clare College to cap off this cultural and historic adventure in this must-see picturesque city. 

The Backs is the area that runs along many of Cambridge’s famous colleges and the walk is studded with beautiful architecture, a quaint wooden bridge, sprawling green spaces, and quirky stories. We'll begin the podcast tour alongside the river at Scudamore's Quayside Walk over the wooden bridge of Silver Street and immerse yourself in Cambridge's history and moving stories. The tour will walk us through student life and will give us magnificent views of King's College and its Chapel. Don't forget to bring your camera for some breath-taking views of the river Cam!
 
Our tour begins at Scudamore’s Punting in Granta Place – one of the leading punting companies in Cambridge. Punts are a great way to discover the River Cam and you can hire your own or sit back and let the experts take you along (no risk of falling in the water this way!)
 
Our walk continues across Silver Street until we reach the view of Mathematical Bridge - According to legend, the bridge was built by Sir Isaac Newton, and was held together by its own force – no nuts, no bolts, just wood! It’s why they call it the mathematical bridge
 
We carry onto Queens college which is where the Backs officially begins! The green space you can see stretching away from us is where the Backs begin.
 
Next up is one of the most iconic views of Cambridge – Kings College. This is the perfect photo opportunity as we have the fields and meadows in the foreground and the breath-taking Kings College and Kings College Chapel in the background!
 
A pleasant stroll along the backs brings us to Clare College, a small college, most famous these days for its alumnus David Attenborough, the broadcaster and natural historian.
 
Our final stop is Garret Hostel Bridge, this was the site of another Mathematical bridge that we talked about right at the start, but unfortunately it didn’t last so long. From here, looking back towards the direction we’ve just come from, you should actually be seeing several colleges. The red brick buildings and gardens right by the bridge on the left is Trinity Hall. Clare is beyond that, where the white bridge crosses the river.

The Vidi Guides experience is enriched with on-screen photos and videos. We also point out where to take the perfect Instagram photos during the tour, and include recommendations for food, drinks, and local attractions. Don't worry, none of our recommendations are sponsored - they are simply favourites of the locals who helped craft the experience.

Vidi Guides creates immersive audio experiences that sound like podcasts. This is a self-guided audio tour that can be started or stopped at your own convenience. Download the Vidi Guides app & your Cambridge Backs tour to explore the area independently and safely! Make sure to download your tour before you go to streamline your trip!

What’s included?

  • Access to your self-guided audio tour

  • Audio tour provided by a local or historian

  • Offline Mode: Download tours in advance to listen without WiFi

  • Location Aware: GPS map allows you to enjoy sites, without getting lost

  • Instagram Hotspots: We find the spot for your perfect picture

  • Earphones

  • Mobile device

Things to know

Before you book

  • This product is suitable for all ages

  • Do it at your own pace. This product is suitable for all fitness levels

  • English speaking Audio guide only

Before you go

  • You will need to bring your own mobile phone

  • You will need to bring your own headset/earphones

Covid Policy

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Avoid the crowds and explore Cambridge at your own pace while adhering to social distancing regulations!

Cancellation Policy

    Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Redemption information

    Bring a pair of headphones along with you so that you can truly immerse yourself in the experience! Download now and start at your convenience!


    Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption

About operator:

Too many people visit places without discovering anything about them. And we can’t let that happen.


We believe that the true essence of travelling lies in the joy of discovering the authentic face of cities, neighbourhood and cultural sites, and unlocking the many tales they hold.


With that spirit in our hearts, we started out in search of these stories hidden in the nooks and corners of Paris, London, Cambridge and Oxford's most iconic spots. We then dived into each place’s culture, history, and traditions by collaborating with historians, famous architects, photographers, street artists, and many more. What we ended up finding was a treasure trove of stories that we have meticulously tied together just for you!


But how to deliver this information? We didn’t want to create another Wikipedia, with people looking at their phones instead of the sites. And let’s face it, audioguides and headsets belong to the 20th century.. This is why we’ve created our own storytelling format. Podcast-style tours, enriched with photos and videos, that keep you wanting more.


Our goal is to create a form of travel that will make you truly discover the places you visit.