Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre
OS Grid reference- SE 026 105
Standedge Tunnel it is the longest canal tunnel in Britain and makes an interesting family day out in Yorkshire. The tunnel stretches for 3.25 miles through the Pennine countryside from Marsden to Diggle.
The tunnel is on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Waterways', it was worked on by the world-renowned engineer Thomas Telford and celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2011. The former canal warehouse opposite the towpath at Tunnel End has been converted into a Visitor Centre, which features exhibitions on the history of the tunnels, the canal tunnel's recent restoration and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
30-minute guided tunnel trips aboard a glass topped boat are available where visitors can learn about how the tunnel was built, tales of the 'navvies' who worked during its construction and about the canal. Tunnel End Cottages which formerly housed canal maintenance workers, now houses a cafe and the booking office for boat trips.
There is also a children's playground and wildlife garden. Free parking is available in the car park next to Marsden Railway Station and next to the National Trust information point. Standedge is a 15 minute walk along the towpath of the canal. Admission to the Visitor Centre is free.
Visitor Attractions in Yorkshire