Kings Orchard Marina, Staffordshire

Discover the hidden delights of the Staffordshire countryside on a dog-friendly canal boat cruise beginning at Kings Orchard Marina. Together with your best furry friend, meander along the gentle waterways on a comfortable berth packed with modern amenities through routes around the midlands. Stop off for some fabulous walking opportunities and make sure to visit fido-friendly sights along your route starting in Kings Orchard. Nestled within a beautiful rural hideaway, an ideal start location, Kings Orchard is situated close to Lichfield deep in the Staffordshire countryside on a secluded, tree lined twenty acre site. All ABC Boat Hire canal boats at Kings Orchard Marina berth two to eight 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 The Four Counties & Black Country Ring from Kings Orchard Marina, a mix of two popular cruising rings taking you through rural and urban surroundings. This combination of two rings includes five tunnels, numerous aqueducts, 148 locks and can be done in 14 nights. Highlights include joining the Trent & Mersey Canal and passing under a distinctive roving bridge, where you can moor up and enjoy a walk with your canine companion along the rolling Staffordshire countryside. Also enjoy the scenery on the climb up ‘Heartbreak Hill’ to the summit at Kidsgrove where you can relax and visit dog-friendly pubs the Canal Tavern and The Blue Bell Inn on arrival.

If you’re looking for a shorter break, the Sawley & Return route is both rural and remote, venturing in and out of colourful hubs. The route covers 34 locks and takes four nights to complete. Before heading north from the marina, take time to explore the city of Lichfield and Lichfield Cathedral, the only three-spired medieval Cathedral in the UK where your canine companion can enjoy a run in the cathedral grounds. After descending Barton Turn Lock, also make sure to visit Branston Water Park, a Local Nature Reserve in a former gravel pit, offering walking trails and a dog-friendly café to relax in after exploring. 

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.