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Standedge Tunnel and Visitor CentreNearby Tourist Attraction, Gifts & Novelties, Canal History & Museums, in or near to Marsden
Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre Website
Waters Rd, Marsden, Huddersfield HD7 6NQ
01484 844298
Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre can be found on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in Yorkshire West Riding and quite near to Marsden.
What can be found at: Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre
There are actually FOUR tunnels running parallel through the Pennine Hills between Marsden and Diggle in West Yorkshire.
One tunnel is the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the other three are railway tunnels. The canal tunnel was construction began in 1794. The design engineer Benjamin Outran withdrew before completion due to unforeseen high levels of water.
Thomas Telford, responsible for many of our amazing canal structures throughout the network took up the completion which was not until 1811.
The canal tunnel is the longest, deepest and highest in the United Kingdom and is an impressive 5451 yards or 3.23 miles in length.
Just imagine 'Legging' through that! Legging was the means of propelling a boat through a tunnel before engines and at times where the tunnel was without tow path. A plank was set across the boat and a man would lay on his back at each end and literally 'Walk' the boat through. 3.23 miles........!
The three railway tunnels were built at intervals. The first, single track, was completed in 1848 but was found wanting and simply not capable of taking the amount of rail traffic demanded of it.
Tunnel number two, also single track, was opened in 1871 and the third, a twin track, opened in 1894.
Today, only the canal tunnel and the double track rail tunnel are in use. Both single track tunnels are closed off but remain intact.
During construction of the rail tunnels, the canal tunnel was used to transport waste material out by boat as all the tunnels were connected using small cross tunnels or 'adits'.
If you wish to take your boat through the Standege Tunnel, you must book at least three working days ahead (even days ahead for bank holidays). A tunnel chaperone will accompany you.
Passage times are:
From Marsden – Diggle (going west) – from 8.30am to 10.30am
From Diggle – Marsden (going east) – from 1pm to 2.30pm
Maximum Boat Dimensions
Maximum length = 70’ (21.34m)
(A) Maximum width = 6’ 10” (2.08m)
(B) Max. Height above water = 6’ 2” (1.88m)
(C) Max. Draught below water = 3’ 3” (0.99m)
Refer to the Canal & River Trust Page for all details before you book. See the website link above.
If you don't have a boat, you can take one of the tourist tour boats from Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre which will be open to the public in the Spring.
Short boat trips (30 minutes) run on the hour:
Monday - Friday 11.45 - 15.00 CLOSED
Saturday & Sunday: 11.00 - 15.45 CLOSED
Through trips (2 hours) run every other Saturday 18 March - 28 October. Please call to book.
Find Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre on our map.
Also shown will be Stand Alone: winding holes, moorings, water, elsan and refuse disposal etc.
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