Standedge Tunnel

The longest, deepest, and highest canal tunnel in the country, Standedge - on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal - is nearly three and a half miles long.

Taking 16 years to build, the final section was overseen by renowned engineer Thomas Telford in 1811. At 196 metres (645 feet) above sea level, the tunnel burrows 194 metres (638 feet) underneath the Pennines.

The campaign to restore the Huddersfield Narrow Canal took off in 1974 with the formation of the Huddersfield Canal Society. Dubbed the 'impossible restoration', there was little support initially for the scheme. Over the years, however, the Society won over the sceptics and the impossible was achieved with the canal's re-opening on 1 May 2001. Regular passages through the tunnel are organised, and there is usually space for hikers in the passenger boat which forms part of the convoy.

Boat trips on a glass roofed boat
Visitors can enjoy 30 minute trips into Standedge Tunnel in a glass-roofed boat at 10:15am, 11am, 11:45am, 1pm, 1:45pm, 2:30pm, 3:15pm and 4pm.

Guided Boat trip prices 2008

Adults (16 years +)		£4.50
Children (5 – 15 years)		£3.50
Senior Citizens (60 years +)		£4
Students (proof of status required)		£4
Family (2 adults / 2 children)		£14
Infants (under 5s)		FREE
Hikers Ticket		£10

Group tickets

Group adult		£4
Group child		£3
Group senior/student		£3.50

Through trips for boat owners
From Marsden to Diggle and back on Wednesdays and Fridays. Bookings must be made at least three working days in advance. For bookings and enquiries, please contact Yorkshire Waterways Customer Services on 0113 2816860.

Visitor Centre
Discover the tunnel’s history and more about the canal’s restoration at the Visitor Centre. Full of exciting displays, the centre is also home to an audio-visual show about those involved in the building of the tunnel.

Café
Located in the Tunnel End Cottages, enjoy some light refreshments and snacks in the café after taking a trip around the Visitor Centre. You can also buy tickets for the 30 minute oat trips in the café.

Environment
The picturesque town of Marsden offers shops, pubs, market and craft stores. Nearby, beautiful Marsden Moor (National Trust) offers walking, angling cycling and wildlife.

Nearby is the Colne Valley Museum which often plays host to live demonstrations such as clog-making. The folk museum is only open at weekends and is home to many items of local interest.

TV fans may also want to head over to Holmfirth – where the much-loved ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ was filmed. The picturesque village is also home to Uppermill Museum.

Directions
Standedge Tunnel is signposted off the A62, (Manchester Road), through the village of Marsden, about 6 miles from Huddersfield.

Free parking is available in the car park adjacent to Marsden Railway Station, next to the National Trust information point, just a 15 minute walk along the canal. Due to limited parking for disabled visitors at the Centre, anyone anyone with special needs should ring in advance for advice on 01484 844298.

Public Transport
Buses: Service 335 from Holmfirth-Marsden; 349/350/352 from Huddersfield-Marsden or visit the West Yorkshire Metro website to check details and updated information.
Trains: Information and tickets can be obtained online from The Trainline website. West Yorkshire train information is available from Train Tracker on 0871 200 4950; text MSN 484950;
If you are travelling from Manchester, call 0981 200 22 33.

A water taxi service between Marsden Railway Station and the Tunnel is run by Huddersfield Canal Society at weekends and bank holidays subject to volunteer availability. A small charge is made for this service. Visit the Huddersfield Canal Society for more information or email: hcs@huddersfieldcanal.com. Alternatively, call 01457 871800.

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