The Backs

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The Backs, is an area of the city of Cambridge, England where several colleges of the University of Cambridge back onto the River Cam, their grounds covering both banks of the river. Its name, The Backs refers to the backs of the colleges. The area, from Silver Street bridge in the south to Magdalene Street bridge in the north, consists of the rear grounds of the following colleges (south to north):

Passing through King's College Backs on the River Cam, Cambridge

View of the same part of The Backs looking across the river. People can be seen climbing the far bank

Queens' — buildings both sides of the river, spanned by the Mathematical Bridge
King's — buildings on east bank, spanned by King's bridge
Clare — buildings on east bank, spanned by Clare bridge
(Trinity Hall — buildings on east bank but with no rear grounds on west bank)
Trinity — buildings on east bank, spanned by Trinity bridge
St John's — buildings both sides of the river, spanned by the St John's kitchen bridge and the Bridge of Sighs

The area is notably pleasant, not least because of the river running through it and the way in which the college grounds are maintained, including expansive lawns and gardens. Historically, much of the land was used by the colleges for more down-to-earth purposes such as grazing livestock, or growing fruit. The river was also an important commercial thoroughfare to the mill at Silver Street.