Why canal boat holidays are pet-friendly

As well as dogs, we’ve accommodated many other kinds of pets aboard our canal boats, including rabbits, iguanas, cats, hamsters, caged birds, goldfish and tortoises.

Top 5 reasons why canal boat holidays are great for pets

1. Narrowboats are like floating holiday cottages, with space for pets too;
2. Canal boat holidays are especially great for dogs, with plenty of towpath walks and dog-friendly canalside pubs;
3. Many of our canal boat hire operators allow your first pet to travel free;
4. No extra vaccinations or pet passports are needed; and
5. Narrowboats with open cruiser-sterns at the back offer extra room ‘on deck’ for pets to enjoy the ever-changing view.

Our top 3 dog-friendly canal boat holiday destinations in 2023:

1. Navigate to Wrenbury & the South Cheshire Way

From Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal in Cheshire it takes around six hours, passing through 11 locks, to reach Wrenbury Mill.  The journey takes you through the Cheshire countryside along 10 miles of canals.  The historic village of Wrenbury, on the South Cheshire Way, offers lots of countryside walks.  And there’s a choice of dog-friendly pubs to visit, including the canalside Dusty Miller.

2. Cruise to Cannock Chase for miles of walking trails

On a short break Great Haywood in Staffordshire, you can cruise along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Cannock Chase Forest.  Once a Royal Forest, Cannock Chase is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over 6,800 hectares of landscapes and miles of walking trails to explore.  There are a number of visitor centres for Cannock Chase, including the Forestry England one close to the canal at Rugeley.  From Great Haywood, it takes around two-and-a-half hours to cruise to Rugeley.

3. Boat along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Savernake Forest

There are over 4,500 acres of woodlands to explore at Savernake Forest – doggy heaven.  From Devizes, it takes around 11 hours, passing through 30 locks, to reach the village of Wootton Rivers.  This is a great starting point for a variety of walks around the Forest and a great destination for a week-long holiday on the canals.