Cambridge Canoe Club

The Cam's not exactly the Thames, but Cambridge Canoe Club punches well above its weight for a regional water sports outfit. Based right on the river, it's where serious paddlers and curious beginners alike come to mess about on the water - think club membership, coaching sessions, and the kind of place that genuinely knows what it's doing with a paddle.

You won't just turn up and hire a canoe on a whim. This is a proper membership club, not a casual tourist attraction, so if you're camping at one of the nearby sites - Cambridge Cherry Hinton Caravan or Highfield Farm are within four miles - you'd need to either join or arrange coaching through them beforehand. That said, if water sports are your thing, it's worth contacting them directly to see what they offer visitors.

The real appeal here is the river itself. Cambridge's waterways are genuinely lovely for paddling, threading through college gardens and under bridges that feel like they've seen centuries pass. Early mornings or quieter weekday sessions beat the tourist punt chaos completely.

Honestly? It's not a destination in itself unless you're a serious canoeist. But if you're camping in the area and want to get on the water properly rather than hire a punt from town, it's a solid shout. The location is unbeatable - right in Cambridge's back garden, no fighting through the historic centre. Ring ahead first though. Don't just roll up expecting access.