Canal Boat Hire Staffordshire England
Staffordshire's waterways offer something completely different. Float through the heart of England at your own pace, stopping at cosy pubs, historic pottery towns, and peaceful spots where kids can spy for wildlife. Handling a narrowboat might feel daunting. But complete beginners set off from our Staffordshire bases every year and return with huge smiles. Our boats are modern, clean, and come with everything you need.
Canal Holidays Staffordshire
We operate two perfectly positioned bases in Staffordshire. Gailey Wharf sits on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, opening routes to the Potteries, Shropshire countryside, and the famous Four Counties Ring. Kings Orchard Marina near Lichfield gives you access to cathedral country and some of England's most peaceful waterways. Both bases offer modern boats sleeping 2-8 people and 24/7 support. Your four-legged friends are welcome too, with excellent towpath walks along routes.
Why Choose Our Canal Boat Holidays?
No Experience RequiredNever steered a boat before? No problem. We'll teach you everything from steering, locks, mooring, the lot. You'll be fully trained before you've even left the marina. If you can drive a car, you can certainly handle our boats. |
Fully Equipped BoatsStep aboard to find everything ready: |
Scenic RoutesFrom our Staffordshire base, you can reach: |
Popular Canal Routes in Staffordshire
Featured routes from Gailey Marina
Black Country Navigations Loop (BCN)
A refreshing contrast of quiet countryside with the hustle and bustle of the city – with 2 fascinating museums thrown in!
MORE INFORMATIONCaldon Canal & Return
An alternative to the Four counties ring, but equally energetic. You will head up towards the Peak District and enter the Churnet Valley with its stunning countryside.
MORE INFORMATIONChester or Ellesmere Port & Return
This is a boating holiday for anyone who wants to escape to Cheshire's best countryside in the company of wildlife and nature. But it's also the story of salt, Romans, lost treasure, civil war and the amazing National Waterways Museum.
MORE INFORMATIONNantwich and return
Leaving Gailey, you head south down the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal to Autherley Junction then cruise the Shropshire Union with Market Drayton, Audlem and Nantwich along the way.
MORE INFORMATIONStourport & Return
Gailey to Stourport on Severn – through Autherley & Aldersley Junctions, Bratch Locks, Stourton Junction, Kinver, Wolverley, Kidderminster and back
MORE INFORMATIONThe Black Country Ring (anticlockwise)
Maps & Guides for this route: P1, N3, L12 | Click here buy maps
MORE INFORMATIONThe Four Counties Ring
The Four Counties Ring – A varied route taking in parts of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, the Trent & Mersey Canal, the Middlewich Branch and the Shropshire Union Canal. The route includes two tunnels, over 15 aqueducts, and 94 locks - can be done in 7 nights or a more relaxing 14 nights.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Stourport Ring
A route which takes in the whole of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and parts of the River Severn, the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and the Birmingham Canal Navigations. Can be done in 7 nights or a more relaxing 14 nights.
MORE INFORMATIONFeatured routes from Kings Orchard Marina
Coventry & Return
This cruise treads a rural route through nature reserves and pools left behind by industry. The canal winds gently through beautiful countryside, skirting the edges of nearby conurbations. You’ll hear stories of hard work and art work, mining and weaving, and a certain medieval legend.
MORE INFORMATIONMarket Drayton & Return
In a parallel world reflecting the evolution of transport, with unforgettable days full of tranquil drama and whimsy, your route will lead you under bridges, over aqueducts and through unusual canal cuttings. It will take you on a richly green tour that skims the distant outskirts of the urban Midlands before bursting into the tranquil haven of Shropshire countryside.
MORE INFORMATIONThe Birmingham Ring
A route with a mix of rural and urban, taking in parts of the Coventry Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, Birmingham Canal Navigations and Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. This Ring includes three tunnels, several aqueducts, and 79 locks - can be done in 7 nights or if you’re looking for a more relaxing Birmingham canal trip, it can also be done in 14 nights.
MORE INFORMATIONThe East Midlands Ring
A varied route taking in the Coventry Canal, parts of the Oxford Canal, Grand Union Leicester Line, the River Soar, a short section of the River Trent and part of the Trent & Mersey Canal. This route includes five tunnels, several aqueducts, and 101 locks - can be done in 10 to 14 days depending on experience
MORE INFORMATIONThe Four Counties & Black Country Ring
A mix of two popular cruising rings taking you through rural and urban surroundings, along parts of the Coventry Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal, Middlewich Branch and Shropshire Union Canal, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, Birmingham Canal Navigations and Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. This combination of two Rings includes five tunnels, numerous aqueducts, and 148 locks - can be done in 14 nights.
MORE INFORMATIONWarwick & return
A cruise that sneaks past the surroundings of Birmingham, the capital of the canals, with the junctions of Fazeley, Salford, Bordesley offering a glimpse of the Industrial Revolution and ‘canal mania’. This is a journey of trade, heritage and railways, with medieval tales and the resilience of nature.
MORE INFORMATIONFeatured Locations in Staffordshire
Tixall WideTixall Wide is one of the most beautiful stretches of canal in Staffordshire. The water opens into a broad, lake-like expanse framed by trees and the striking Tixall Gatehouse. It feels calm and spacious, offering a dramatic contrast to narrow canal sections. Wildlife is often spotted here, making it a peaceful and memorable mooring point. |
Shugborough EstateShugborough Estate sits beside the canal near Great Haywood and is one of Staffordshire's most impressive historic landmarks. The grand Georgian mansion is surrounded by landscaped gardens, parkland and riverside walks. Visitors can explore the house, farm buildings and exhibitions. Its elegant setting adds a sense of heritage and scale to the journey. |
Cannock ChaseCannock Chase is a vast area of heathland and forest. Known for its open landscapes and winding trails, it offers walking, cycling and wildlife spotting opportunities. The scenery feels wild and expansive, with panoramic viewpoints across Staffordshire. |
What Our Guests Say
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Your recent holiday on Wren - Grass Wren from Kings Orchard Marina
The boat was beautifully clean and well presented at the start. There was a cutting board missing and we found the bowls oddly sized - we bought a board and a bowl to see us through. The hand over at the end was slow as we were not told where to moor the boat on return and had to wait while another boat was serviced
18 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Wren - Grass Wren from Kings Orchard Marina
As the previous report. Good boat, clean but some items missing or inadequate. Hand over at end slow as not told where to moor before we set off.
18 Apr 2026
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Your recent holiday on Plover - Piping Plover from Kings Orchard Marina
Another great trip with ABC boat hire,
17 Nov 2025
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Your recent holiday on Plover - Piping Plover from Kings Orchard Marina
Excellent handover by friendly and knowledgeable staff, boat was spotlessly clean and stocked with everything prmised
17 Nov 2025
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Your recent holiday on Lark - Foxy Lark from Kings Orchard Marina
Coventry canal was a delightful revaluation- we will definitely be back.
03 Nov 2025
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Your recent holiday on Lark - Foxy Lark from Kings Orchard Marina
Great customer service, boat was immaculate, comfortable and warm
03 Nov 2025
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Your recent holiday on Day Tripper from Kings Orchard Marina
Given there was not enough water in the canal back in August i had to reschedule.. i’m glad i did.. ABC were first rate at sorting this which made my 60th birthday narrow boat experience all the more special.. thankyou🤗
30 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Cettis Warbler from Kings Orchard Marina
Could not have been better. The boat was spotless and behaved itself impeccably over the whole trip.
29 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Cettis Warbler from Kings Orchard Marina
From checking in at Kings Orchard to leaving our boat at Whitchurch everything about our holiday was perfect. The boat was spotless, the handover went really well, the support we received from Whitchurch when we had a few difficulties (our doing - nothing wrong with the boat) Iwas excellent. We would all thoroughly recommend ABC for anyone considering a canal holiday.
29 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Pine Warbler from Kings Orchard Marina
A great experience, very organised and helpful to the novice travellers! We had a very good induction and notches very clean & well equipped. Nothing was too much trouble.
22 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Warbler - Pine Warbler from Kings Orchard Marina
Excellent service from start to finish
22 Oct 2025
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Your recent holiday on Plover - Piping Plover from Kings Orchard Marina
Great team. Charlotte Ginger deserves a special mention helping us use canalplan and check the crt website for closures. Lee, Conrad & Dave had the boat perfect and were very responsive when we needed to call. The pump outs and linen changes made the long trip viable. the Wrenbury/ Whitchurch and Alvechurch teams were excellent too - organising a few things and the latter talking us through our revised trip down the Avon & Severn rivers. We are already planning our next trip.
22 Oct 2025
Featured Boats
Featured boats from Gailey Marina
Six to eight berth Boats
Two to Five berth Boats
Featured boats from Kings Orchard Marina
Six to eight berth Boats
Two to Five berth Boats
FAQ
Can I bring pets on board?
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Yes, your four-legged friends are more than welcome on our canal boats. Many of our Staffordshire routes feature excellent towpath walks where dogs can stretch their legs. Our boats offer deck space where pets can enjoy fresh air and watch the world go by. The ever-changing scenery keeps curious pets entertained.
How much does it cost to hire a canal boat in Staffordshire?
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Canal boat hire costs in Staffordshire depend on several factors, including boat size, season, and length of stay. To get a full quote, just get in touch.
Do I need a licence or experience to hire a canal boat?
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No, you don't need a licence or any previous experience to hire a canal boat in the UK. Our comprehensive briefing covers everything you need to know, and most people are confidently steering within their first hour on the water.
