The Standedge tunnel is a key part of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and took 17 years to build – linking Aston U Lyne and Huddersfield hidden beneath the Pennine countryside.
Completed in 1811, the Standedge Tunnel had cost around £160,000 to build, which meant it was the most expensive canal tunnel to have ever been built in Britain. It was also the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. The tunnel is 5,500 yards (5,000 m) long, 636 feet (194 m) underground at its deepest point, and 643 feet (196 m) above sea level.
The canal tunnel is only wide enough for one narrowboat for much of its length and to save on cost, as in some other canal tunnels in England, a tow-path was not provided in the tunnel. As canal boats were horse-drawn upon its opening, the boats had to be legged through the tunnel.
Vistors can guide their own boats through Standedge Tunnel, legging it, so long as one of a Canal & River Trust Tunnel ‘Chaperone’ is aboard your boat. Passage is available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between March – and November.
Passage times:
Marsden – Diggle (going west) – from 8.30am to 10.30am
Diggle – Marsden (going east) – from 1.00pm to 2.30pm
All bookings are subject to availability
Bookings must be made at least three working days in advance of passage or seven working days in advance at bank holidays.
More information at Canal river trust
The Standedge tunnel is a key part of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and took 17 years to build – linking Aston U Lyne and Huddersfield hidden beneath the Pennine countryside.
Completed in 1811, the Standedge Tunnel had cost around £160,000 to build, which meant it was the most expensive canal tunnel to have ever been built in Britain. It was also the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. The tunnel is 5,500 yards (5,000 m) long, 636 feet (194 m) underground at its deepest point, and 643 feet (196 m) above sea level.
The canal tunnel is only wide enough for one narrowboat for much of its length and to save on cost, as in some other canal tunnels in England, a tow-path was not provided in the tunnel. As canal boats were horse-drawn upon its opening, the boats had to be legged through the tunnel.
Vistors can guide their own boats through Standedge Tunnel, legging it, so long as one of a Canal & River Trust Tunnel ‘Chaperone’ is aboard your boat. Passage is available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between March – and November.
Passage times:
Marsden – Diggle (going west) – from 8.30am to 10.30am
Diggle – Marsden (going east) – from 1.00pm to 2.30pm
All bookings are subject to availability
Bookings must be made at least three working days in advance of passage or seven working days in advance at bank holidays.
More information at Canal river trust