A brief history of punting. Part I
If you’ve ever been punting before you’ll have enjoyed one of the many narratives delivered by one of our talented punt chauffeurs. And if you’ve been punting more than once, you may have enjoyed an altogether different narrative, because such is the way with storytelling. History is a supple and fluid mistress, and in the hands of our chauffeurs she ebbs and flows with the tides of the Cam… (ok, technically the part of the river Cam we punt on isn’t tidal any more but go with it). With this in mind, we thought it pertinent to bring you the definitive history of punting. Don’t worry though, no spoilers here, we’ll save the best river folklore for on board the punts… What is punting? A punt boat, more commonly known simply as a punt, is a square-ended boat that has a flat bottom with no keel. The normal method of propulsion is by using a 5m (16ft) long pole and literally pushing against the river bed. The pole is also used to steer, either as a tiller or rudder for gentle changes of direction, or by pushing off at an angle to the punt for more advanced manoeuvring. This method of propulsion is known as “punting”. History of punting Punts were developed in medieval times to provide stable craft that could be used in areas of water too shallow for rowing conventional craft. One such area was the Fens, the marshy flatlands north of Cambridge, where punts were integral to local trades such as eel fishing, reed-cutting, fowling (hunting ducks, etc) and for transporting cargo, until their use died out in the late nineteenth century. The first punts are traditionally associated with the River Thames […]