West Yorkshire’s famous canal trip, Standedge Tunnel, a series of four parallel tunnels through the Pennines is Britain’s longest, highest, deepest, and most unique experience for visitors. If you’re looking for something to do, then these deep dark tunnels are an exciting and fascinating place to visit in Yorkshire.
You can jump on board on one of the exciting boat trips and marvel at 19th-century engineering deep underneath the beautiful Pennine countryside as you travel through these incredible 200-year-old relics.
This year marks the 21st year since the rebirth of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the grand reopening of the Standedge Tunnel. After standing derelict for 50 years, it’s now one of the seven wonders of the waterways and a great family day out.
Found on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, you can enjoy a 30-minute trip on the waterway underneath the Pennines, which is listed as one of the Canal and River Trust’s Seven Wonders of the Waterways.
The tunnel took 16 years to build and was finished back in 1811. The tunnel is listed as one of the Canal and River Trust’s Seven Wonders of the Waterways.
How long is Standedge Tunnel?
It is nearly three-and-a-half miles long, 645 feet above sea level, and goes 638 feet underground. The last commercial trip through the tunnels was 100 years ago in 1921.
Why not enjoy a canalside stroll in the spectacular countryside or visit the museum gallery and the Watersedge Coffee House where you can enjoy a tasty lunch, with cakes, pastries and locally sourced Darkwoods Coffee
Vicky Levine, area operations manager for the Canal and River Trust which runs the attraction, said: “We’re delighted to be able to run boats into the tunnel again. Although we’ve had a lot of visitors to the site over recent months, it’s great people can experience in the tunnel itself once more.”
She added: “We want to ensure our guests have an enjoyable and safe experience at this historic attraction, so please follow all of the Covid safe precautions we have put in place.”
Standedge Visitor Centre note that children under six may not ride and that it is a maximum of 10 people per boat ride.
The tunnels have a link to the paranormal. Both staff and visitors have reported strange lights, unexplained sounds and even robed figures lurking in the tunnel’s depths. Official figures claim that 50 people died in the making of the tunnel that took 2,500 navvies to dig from Marsden, West Yorkshire to Diggle in Greater Manchester, according to The Mirror.
To find out more, or to book visit their Facebook page here.
Read More: 8 Breathtaking Natural Wonders You Have To Visit In Yorkshire
