Marsden, West Yorkshire – For the first time in its 200-year history, the UK’s longest, highest, and deepest canal tunnel, Standedge Tunnel, is now open to canoeists.
The Canal & River Trust charity has introduced guided canoe trips through the 3.5-mile (5.6 km) tunnel, which runs beneath the Pennines, connecting Marsden in West Yorkshire and Diggle in Lancashire.
This initiative offers a unique and immersive way to experience one of the “seven wonders of the waterways.”
Standedge Tunnel, an engineering marvel completed after 17 years of laborious hand digging, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of its builders.
Gordon McMinn, a volunteer with the Canal & River Trust, described the guided tours as “a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list opportunity for keen canoeists.”
The trips, scheduled from June to August, promise a blend of adventure and history, providing participants with an unparalleled perspective of this historic structure.
A Marvel of Engineering
Standedge Tunnel’s remarkable features make it a standout in the UK’s canal network. Spanning 3.5 miles, it is not only the longest but also the highest and deepest canal tunnel in the country.
Its construction, which began in 1794 and completed in 1811, was an extraordinary feat of engineering. The tunnel’s completion facilitated the movement of goods and raw materials across the Pennines, playing a crucial role in the industrial revolution.
A spokesperson for the Canal & River Trust highlighted the tunnel’s historical and engineering significance, describing it as an “extraordinary feat of engineering.” The guided canoe trips aim to share this marvel with the public while generating essential funds for the trust.
Supporting Canal Heritage
Sean McGinley, the Canal & River Trust’s regional director for Yorkshire & North East, emphasized the importance of maintaining the UK’s historic canal network.
“We are working harder than ever to keep our historic 250-year-old canal network alive,” McGinley stated.
“This experience is one of the many ways people can help support our work, contributing to the vital funds needed to help us maintain our 2,000-mile network of canals and assets while discovering this amazing treasure under the Pennines.”
The guided tours through Standedge Tunnel represent a new way for the public to engage with and support the preservation of the canal network.
Participants will paddle through the tunnel either in tandem canoes or solo, with 18 one-way trips available over the summer. The Canal & River Trust has set a fee for the trips, ensuring that funds are raised to support ongoing maintenance and preservation efforts.
A Remarkable Experience
Gordon McMinn, who will be guiding some of the tours, shared his excitement about the new offering. “These trips will give participants a real sense of this remarkable tunnel,” McMinn said. “It’s a unique way to experience a part of our history that has been largely inaccessible to the public.”
The introduction of canoe tours through Standedge Tunnel not only opens up a new adventure for canoe enthusiasts but also helps spotlight the rich history and engineering prowess embedded in the UK’s canal network.
This initiative by the Canal & River Trust ensures that the story of Standedge Tunnel and the broader canal network continues to be told and preserved for future generations.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
