The Backs

'Stands the Church clock at ten to three? And is there honey still for tea?' The famous lines from Rupert Brooke's poem about Grantchester church's failed timepiece seem to sum up a certain kind of perfect English lazy, hazy sunny days. And there is indeed much fun to be had punting about and trying not to fall in on the River Cam as it runs behind the colleges of Cambridge University, in a section known as 'the Backs'.

Grantchester is about two and a half miles upstream from the colleges, and you can see its church from the river across Grantchester Meadows. Here you can picnic or take tea under the trees in the famous Orchard.

The Backs are much frequented with walkers, joggers and log-jams of punts and rowing boats. Punt hire and guided punting tours are available from Scudamores Punting Company (01223 359750).

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