Standedge Tunnel

Waters Road
Marsden
Huddersfield
Yorkshire
HD7 6NQ

T: 01782 785703

Related Waterways:

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

The longest, deepest, and highest canal tunnel in the country, Standedge Tunnel - 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, Standedge 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 initially little support 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
Guided boat trips into the tunnel last around 30 mins and run 11.00am - 3.00pm on the hour weekdays and 10.00am - 4.00pm on the hour weekends.

Through trips for boat owners
To book passage please call the British Waterways Business Support Team on 01782 785703. Please allow as much time to book as possible as places are limited. Please have your boat details ready when booking passage.

Download a Standedge Tunnel booking form

Download Standedge Tunnel customer guidelines

Download Huddersfield Narrow Canal navigation notes

Running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, boaters are now allowed through Standedge Tunnel under their own diesel power accompanied by a British Waterways chaperone. For full details please visit www.standedge.co.uk

Through trips for the public
On every other Saturday from 16 April to 29 October 2011 the public will have the chance to take a boat trip all the way through the tunnel. Through trips will leave Marsden at 9:00am and return from Diggle at 1:00pm. One way tickets costing £10 (concessions available) are available by pre-booking on 01782785703 or emailing enquiries.manchesterpennine@britishwaterways.co.uk.

Visitor Centre
Discover Standedge 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, offers light refreshments and snacks. You can also buy tickets for the 30 minute boat trips in the café.

Environment
The picturesque town of Marsden offers shops, pubs, market and craft stores. Nearby, beautiful Marsden Moor (National Trust) is ideal for 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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