Information
Landmark: The BacksCity: Cambridge UK
Country: United Kingdom
Continent: Europe
The Backs, Cambridge UK, United Kingdom, Europe
Overview
The Backs in Cambridge, England, stretches along the river and gives you one of the city’s most iconic views-college gardens spilling toward the water under ancient stone bridges.It’s the strip of land that follows the River Cam, winding behind some of the university’s best-known colleges, where willow branches dip into the water.They call it “The Backs” because it’s where the colleges’ gardens and grounds stretch behind them, with tall, elegant facades and soft green lawns sloping right down to the river’s edge.The Backs sits just west of the city center, where you’ll find some of Cambridge University’s most celebrated colleges, their lawns sloping gently to the water’s edge.The river winds through the heart of the area, with colleges lining both banks, their stone facades, arched bridges, and flowering gardens unfolding in view.For centuries, the Backs have stirred the imagination of artists, writers, and travelers alike, with willows dipping into the slow, glassy river.This part of the university’s grounds holds deep historical weight, with the colleges along the Backs-some dating back centuries-counted among the oldest and most prestigious on campus.The calm lawns and willows along The Backs stand in sharp contrast to the busy, chatter-filled streets of central Cambridge, offering a quiet, picture-perfect retreat.Along The Backs, some of Cambridge’s most famous colleges sit beside the water, their gardens spilling all the way to the river’s edge where willows trail in the current.Along this stretch, you’ll find some of the best-known colleges-one might sit behind tall iron gates, shaded by old oak trees.King’s College is probably the best-known spot along The Backs, its chapel towers rising above the river like stone sentinels.You can spot its striking Gothic chapel, crowned by the iconic West Tower, from clear across the river.The college’s formal gardens sweep past a shaded stretch of trees to the river, where the chapel’s spire shimmers in the water.From the Backs, this view of King’s College Chapel is among Cambridge’s most photographed scenes.Just along the way stands Trinity College, one of the largest and wealthiest in the university, with its own proud place beside the river.The college’s Great Court and Wren Library stand at its heart, while gardens spill gently toward the river.Trinity’s 19th-century Bridge of Sighs, with its stone arches and covered walkway, links two parts of the college over the Cam and ranks among Cambridge’s most famous sights.St John’s College boasts lush riverside lawns and a graceful bridge in the classic Cambridge style.St John’s College Bridge stretches over the River Cam, giving you sweeping views of the lawns, the water, and the old stone nearby.The college garden offers a quiet escape where students pause to think or simply unwind beneath the rustle of elm leaves.Queen’s College, set along The Backs, stands out for its striking stone bridge arcing gracefully over the river.From the Backs, you can see the Old Court alongside newer buildings, all adding to the view’s charm; Clare College, among the oldest in Cambridge, opens its gates and gardens right onto the River Cam, where the water catches the light.The college’s green lawns slope gently to the water, where the view shimmers just as strikingly from its steps as it does across the river.Corpus Christi College also sits along The Backs, its ivy‑draped buildings and quiet gardens giving it a warmer, more relaxed charm than some of its grander neighbors.A little stone bridge crosses the river, adding to the area’s charm, and just beyond it runs The Backs Walk-famous for its peaceful paths along the water’s edge and the view of willows trailing in the current.Winding paths lead visitors to stunning views of the colleges, with ivy-draped gardens and graceful stone arches all around.Strolling along The Backs, you feel Cambridge’s spirit in full-college spires rising behind you, willows trailing their fingers in the River Cam.You can reach the Cambridge University Botanic Garden from The Backs by strolling along Fen Causeway, a quiet path lined with greenery that makes the air smell fresh after rain.The walk itself is a photographer’s dream, with the River Cam mirroring the old college walls and overhanging trees like glass.The river shapes the whole charm of The Backs, and many people drift through it on a punt to take in the view from the water.In Cambridge, punting is a beloved tradition-you stand on a flat boat and push it gently along the river with a long wooden pole that splashes softly into the water.Take the scenic route through The Backs, where you can glimpse the colleges rising behind green lawns and quiet, tree-lined paths.Most punt tours come with a guide who knows the river’s stories, pointing out ivy-covered colleges, retelling bits of history, and slipping in the odd quirky fact about the landmarks you drift past.The Backs changes with the seasons: in spring, gardens burst with bright flowers and the riverbank trees blush with fresh blossoms; summer fills the lawns with sunbathing students and the river with laughing punters; autumn drapes the trees in gold and crimson, casting a warm glow over the landscape; and winter settles in softly, bare branches etched against pale skies and frost crunching underfoot.It remains one of Cambridge’s most beautiful, tranquil places, where visitors can take in the university’s storied past, striking architecture, and natural grace.Stroll by the riverbank, pause to admire the colleges’ ornate stonework, or drift along in a punt-the Backs is woven into the very heart of the Cambridge experience.Here, moss-covered walls meet centuries-old stories and lively campus chatter, creating a place every visitor should see.
