The uncertainty around travel over the past couple of years has meant few of us have managed to get away – let alone get away with the dogs. We asked narrowboat holiday specialist Black Prince to suggest their top three dog-friendly canal holidays
has launched free dog places for 2022, following a 30% rise in bookings with pets during the pandemic.
In 2021 almost half of the narrowboat holidays taken from Black Prince’s nine bases across the UK included a dog, a big increase on earlier years.
In response to the trend, the company has removed its £30 charge for single dogs and introduced free poop-bags and dog bowls for all pet bookings for the new season, which starts in April.
Leighton Jones, of Black Prince explained, “Millions of pets were bought during lockdown*. As a result, we saw a big increase in families looking for dog-friendly getaways.
“Canal holidays are a great choice for canines. With boats pootling along at no more than 4mph, guests and their pets can follow along the scenic towpaths, or moor up to explore countryside trails and canal-side woodlands. After a long walk, dogs and owners can relax on deck as their journey continues.
“With the canal network dotted with dog-friendly pubs and attractions offering a warm welcome to four-legged friends, there is no shortage of sights to see and places to relax.”
Caldon canal from Stoke on Trent
The Caldon Canal is an offshoot of the much busier Trent & Mersey Canal and is often ignored by narrowboaters. So, an out-and-back short break provides a wonderfully heightened sense of seclusion, with walking highlights including Deep Hayes Country Park, Consall Forge and the Churnet Valley for slow-paced, adventurous rambles where the wildlife includes birds, grass snakes and dragonflies, plus pretty plants and flowers. Go from Stoke-on-Trent, with a 4-night half term break starting 30 May from £1,375 based on one dog and up to five people.
Stourport ring from Stoke Prior
A 10-day cruise along the Stourport Ring mixes every kind of setting, with stretches through rural Worcestershire countryside, woodlands at Kinver Edge national park, the UK’s longest flight of locks at Tardebigge, the River Severn and Birmingham’s city centre, for a new ‘walkies’ experience every day. Cruise from Stoke Prior, with a 10-night break starting 21 May from £2,499 based on one dog and up to four people.
Llangollen canal from Chirk
A week-long holiday from Black Prince’s base at Chirk covers the length of the delightful Llangollen Canal, one of the best for wildlife. Dog walks are the perfect excuse to explore Whixall Moss, one of Shropshire’s most remote spaces, for diverse wildlife that includes dragonflies, unusual butterflies and raft spiders. The journey then continues to The Mere at Ellesmere, where a hike will take you past a huge array of birds and waders. Cruisers can also detour onto the Montgomery Canal, a restoration project that is home to otters, water voles and rare aquatic plants. Head from Chirk, with a 7-night Easter break starting 16 April from £1,615 based on one dog and up to four people.
If you enjoyed 3 dog-friendly canal holidays for 2022, you’ll find more ideas for pet-friendly holidays on our Travel channel.
For more information about the dog-friendly breaks mentioned in this content, visit Black Prince.
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