3 Night Minimum Stay
FREE 24/7 Vet Line
Two dogs welcome
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.
4 adults 3 pets
4 adults 3 pets
4 adults 3 pets
4 adults 3 pets
5 adults 3 pets
5 adults 3 pets
6 adults 3 pets
6 adults 3 pets
6 adults 3 pets
6 adults 3 pets
7 adults 3 pets
8 adults 3 pets
8 adults 3 pets
10 adults 3 pets
10 adults 3 pets
12 adults 3 pets