Standedge Tunnel Huddersfield Review
Standedge Tunnel
Huddersfield
Reviewed by Sarah Bowyer
Myself, my partner and my son have just spent a lovely few hours at Standedge (you have to pronounce it right though, it’s Stannige) Tunnel in Huddersfield.
Standedge Tunnel is the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. It runs beneath the Pennines from Marsden in West Yorkshire to Diggle in Manchester. It is 3¼ miles long. Building commenced in 1794 and it was finally built and opened in 1811.
We didn’t have far to drive but we still used our satnav to get us to the right place. We kind of knew where we were going, but as we hadn’t been for over 20 years we wanted to make sure we got there.
It was an easy drive with clear signage. Although we got a little confused with the parking situation. The website suggests parking at Marsden train station, but we drove straight past it at first. It was easy to turn around though and find the car park. Marsden is a lovely quaint little village with a couple of lovely coffee shops.
The car park is all cobbled and there were quite a few big puddles as it had been on and off raining that day. We left the car park and there was a big sign directing us to the tow path along the Huddersfield canal for a short 15 minute walk to Standedge Tunnel.
The tow path was incredibly muddy and wet. If I had known we would have worn boots. We struggled pushing our stroller along as the wheels were getting all clogged with mud and leaves. I was getting a bit worried about how far it would be to get to, but it wasn’t far. It certainly didn’t take us 15 minutes. During the summer (if it ever stops raining) the walk would be lovely.
When we arrived at Standedge Tunnel we nipped in to the cafe. The staff were lovely. We got booked on to a barge trip in to the tunnel and sat having a delicious cup of tea and slice of lemon drizzle cake.
Once it was our time to go on the barge we went outside and waited to be allowed on.
We weren’t allowed to take our stroller on board and were advised to leave it next to the cafe. I was slightly worried about leaving it as it had been raining.
Once we got on to the barge a lovely gentleman called Stephan went through all the usual health and safety guidelines.
There were only us three on board so we got a personal guide in to the tunnel.
There are two different boat trips you can go on. One that goes 3¼ miles right through the tunnel which takes about 2 hours or one that takes about 30 minutes. We were on the short trip. It takes you in to the tunnel and then just comes back out. Stephan talked to us the whole time, telling us about the history, how it was engineered and built and the tools they used to build it. It was really really interesting.
We had to wear a hard hat and we could go outside on the boat to have a good look at the tunnel and how all the stone and bricks were used. It was so cold too. The tunnel stays at around 9 degrees Celsius all year round.
Once we had gone as far as we were going, Stephan turned the lights out. And it really was pitch black. It must have been horrible to use the tunnel in such dark and cold conditions.
Stephan knew so much about the tunnel and answered all the questions we had. It was really exciting and interesting.
Once the boat journey ended we headed up to the visitor centre. Inside there was a little play gym for children and more information about the tunnel with pictures, tools, notes and equipment used in building and constructing the tunnel.
It was a short and sweet visit. There were more things to do, such as a nature trail, but the weather was really temperamental so we decided not to go on the walk.
My son loved it. We saw the trains that were travelling between Huddersfield and Manchester and some barges on the canal.
It was a really pleasant day. If it hadn’t been for the weather it would have been beautiful.
I wouldn’t recommend going to Standedge Tunnel if you have really young children. My son is two and the 30 minute boat ride got a bit boring for him and it was a struggle to keep him entertained. However there is a play gym with some swings and climbing frame close by.
All the staff were really knowledgeable about the history of the tunnel and this made the trip on the barge brilliant.
I would definitely recommend going to Standedge Tunnel if you are interested in local history or have a passion for Britain’s canals.
Now for the muddy walk back to the car!!!
Rating: 5/5 
30 minute boat trips cost from £4 to £5, 2 hour boat trips cost £15.
For more information visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/standedge-tunnel.
Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre, Waters Road, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6NQ
