Dog-friendly Hilperton Marina, Wiltshire

Dog-Friendly Boating Escapes

Discover the hidden delights of the Wiltshire countryside on a dog-friendly canal boat cruise beginning at Hilperton Marina. Together with your best furry friend, meander along the gentle waterways on a comfortable berth packed with modern amenities through routes around the South West. Stop off for some fabulous walking opportunities and make sure to visit fido-friendly sights along your route starting in Hilperton. Often considered one of the very best waterways to discover natural beauty and wildlife in England, Hilperton Marina is conveniently located on the gorgeous Kennet and Avon Canal. All ABC Boat Hire canal boats at Hilperton Marina berth two to twelve and come equipped with all you need to swap the hustle and bustle of life in the city for an idyllic boating escape with your canine companion.

Begin your boating adventure for the first time or as a more experienced crew member with full tuition provided at the start of every journey. A handover ensures you are comfortable operating the canal boat and includes where you can moor and how to operate locks, lifts and swing bridges. Most visitor moorings on canals and rivers are governed by the Canal & River Trust and are free of charge, meaning your boat will be permitted to moor anywhere on the towpath side of the canal as long as no obstruction is being caused. An overnight fee may be charged for overnight moorings at a select number of privately owned sites such as The River Thames.

A suggested route for those wanting a longer escape is Reading & Return from Hilperton Marina. With 186 locks and taking 14 nights to complete, this route meanders through Caen Hill Locks, Pewsey, Crofton, Hungerford, Newbury and back. Highlights include Savernake Forest near the small town of Pewsey for its endless supply of footpaths and bridle paths for you and your furry friend to enjoy the 4-mile long 'Grand Avenue' of beech trees, appearing in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest Avenue in Britain. Also make sure to visit the historic paradise of Crofton when nearing Reading, home to the oldest fully working steam engines in the world and many quaint dog-friendly pubs including Crofton Park Tavern.

If you’re looking for a shorter break, the Bath & Return route quietly shadows the River Avon, crossing historic aqueducts and cruising waters lined with distinctive local stone when heading towards Bath, totalling two or 14 locks and can be completed in three to four nights. Highlights include the canalside mediaeval Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon surrounded by artists’ studios, galleries, shops and a dog-friendly tearoom where dogs can dine in the courtyard. As you meander nearer towards Bath entering cast-iron bridges through Sydney Gardens and under Cleveland House Tunnel, moor up at Sydney Gardens for your canine companion to explore the fabulous landscape.

All dog-friendly canal boats are available from April to November. Arrive on Friday, Saturday or Monday for a 3, 4, 7, 10, 11 or 14 night stay. Please note that each route has individual changeover dates. In a canal boat berthing 4, enjoy a 3 night stay from £999 or 7 night stay from £1,399 in the low season, excluding fuel supplement. Supplements apply on summer dates and larger boats.

What To Expect

It's important to bring along a bed, bowl, food, lead and toys for your dog whilst on board and may be advisable to invest in a harness or life jacket for your dog. A welcome pack is provided as well as a TV, CD player and free Wifi. All the ABC dog-friendly canal boats are individually handcrafted in this country with unique interiors and different styles. They come with a well-equipped kitchen where you can whip up a meal for your guests and furry friend too. The kitchen features a four burner gas stove complete with grill and oven, fridge, sink drainer, sink, crockery, cooking utensils and cutlery. Dog-friendly canal boats starting at Hilperton Marina come equipped with a 12-volt electricity supply. All boats are able to carry around 100 gallons or 450 litres of water. It is advised to refill your water daily by automatic electric water pumps, these are located at many water points along your route which are shown in a Canal Cruising Guide available to be purchased on arrival at a small fee. The boat is fuelled for your arrival and an additional fuel deposit of £90 per week or £50 for a short break is required. When the boat is returned, the balance is refundable after deducting the amount of fuel used. Buoyancy aids are compulsory and available free of charge for both children and adults at the marinas. These do not need to be booked in advance but should be requested upon arrival in order for the correct size to be fitted in preparation for your journey.

Bow wow factor

A canal boat trip makes a fabulous adventure for your canine friend. You have the freedom to go where you want and your dog will love stopping off at the riverside dog-friendly pubs on route.

Need to know

Dine With Pet

Pub Within 1 Mile

Rural

Satellite Television

WiFi

Featured Boats

The dog-friendly canal boats berth from two to twelve with bedding configured as singles or doubles. There is a small wardrobe for storing clothes with freshly laundered bedding for each crew member. There is a bathroom with toilet, basin and shower, one medium towel per person and even a hairdryer.

Swift

Sleeps up to 4. One forward cabin which can either be configured as one double bed or two singles. The seating area in the saloon can be converted into a double bed in the evening, if required. There is a wardrobe for storing clothes in the front cabin. Freshly laundered bedding for each crew member. Additional bedding available on request.

Accommodates

4 adults 3 pets