The Backs : info and guided tour

Overview of The Backs

The Backs refers to the rear side of Cambridge colleges that borders the River Cam, behind iconic buildings such as King’s College and Trinity College. From Queen’s Road, the site offers a continuous view of lawns, trees and university facades lined up along the water.

The landscape of The Backs is defined by the contrast between open meadows and the Gothic or classical architecture of the colleges. The river forms a quiet axis here, with bridges, carefully kept banks and viewpoints that are part of Cambridge’s most famous image.

This area is valued for its historic character and its place within university life. Not all of the buildings are equally open to the public, but the views from the riverbanks let visitors take in a coherent ensemble where natural space and academic heritage complement each other.

The Backs is located west of Cambridge city centre, near Queen’s Road and the Cam. The area brings together several rear fronts of colleges overlooking the water, making it a highly representative viewpoint of the relationship between the city, the university and the river landscape.

Discover Cambridge with a private guide

A private guide can help place The Backs in the history of Cambridge, identify the different colleges visible from the riverbanks and explain the architectural and landscape details that are easy to miss at first glance. The site then becomes clearer as part of the wider urban and academic setting.