Landmarks on the River Cam
Jesus College Boathouse
This is marked on the map for two reasons. As you come onto midsummer common it is a useful reference point. It is the boathouse
with the black and red doors. Secondly, and maybe more importantly, if you are coming to watch the Fairbairn races, then the Jesus
Boathouse is the start point.
King's College Boathouse
The King's boathouse, which is shared with Churchill, Selwyn and a local school is only passed racing during the Fairbairn races.
Other than that it is the best (and indeed only) place to see the King's crews milling about on the bank before getting in their boats.
Green Dragon Footbridge
So called because of the pub that it stands by, the footbridge is your best bet if you want to go onto the towpath that runs along the
other side of the river to get onto the bottom parts of the racing course. After crossing the bridge, go right and continue until you get
to the pike and Eel pub where you will find the river again.
Pike and Eel (Penny Ferry)
The Pike and Eel Pub (now renamed the Penny Ferry, though the new name will possibly never catch on) is right on the river and a good
place to watch the finish for many of the races held on the Cam. It serves beer and has pretty good food. I don't think I need to
say much more.... A towpath runs from the pub downstream and leads to the rest of the course.
Railway Bridge
Does exactly what it says on the tin. A bridge for trains. The railway bridge is at or about the finish for a number of races, including University 4s,
the CUCBC small boats regatta, and some of the lower bumps divisions. It marks one end (with Ditton Corner at the other) of the
long reach, the widest part of the racing course.
Ditton Corner
Ditton corner is the last of the three major corners on the bumps course. There are often marquees on the outside of the bend during May
Bumps, along with hundreds of spectators. It marks one end (with the railway bridge at the other) of the long reach, the widest part of
of the racing course. During bumps there can be some spectacular battles down this section as crew try to hold off their persuers
with the end in sight.
The Plough
The Plough is a pub with a great river garden, where you can sit back and watch the races go by. To get there carry on
without crossing the river, stay on the cycle path, but always take the route that will keep you closest to the river. This brings you out
into the village of Fen Ditton. Go left and look for the pub. If it is May Bumps then there is a handy punt ferry from the
other side of the river.
Grassy Corner
Grassy corner is a sharp bend of more or less 90 degrees. During bumps a good deal of action occurs at the corner and this combined with
good views down to both First Post and Ditton corners makes it a very popular spectator spot.
The Gut
The gut is the narrowest part of the river, and has a tendancy, especially during bumps racing to squeeze crews together. This, along with
crews running out of steam after an initial sprint, means that a large number of bumps happen at this point. Crashes, breakages and other
carnage are also common. If watching here be prepared to get out of the way of boats coming into the bank.
First Post Corner
The first corner in many of the races, it is a good place to watch the start of Bumps, without being down in all the crews getting ready.
Again being on the corner it offers the oppertunity to see two sections of river, although as the main spectating spot is on the
inside of the bend, rather than the outside, not as good as at grassy corner.
Motorway Bridge
Does not do exactly what it says on the tin. In fact the bridge carries the A14 across the river. It is about this point that many
of the races start. It is not really the best spectating space as there is usually a lot going on that can be got in the way of.
However if you are careful then it is worth watching the bumps starts as they are indeed a sight to behold.