Huddersfield Narrow Canal

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal scales the heights of the Pennines, and part of it is the highest stretch of canal in Britain.

The superb scenery along the way is full of dramatic contrasts - rugged hills, tranquil wooded countryside, and historic mills and industrial buildings. The canal itself features distinctive very narrow locks.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal also boasts the impressive Standedge Tunnel, the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in the country. At three and a half miles long, it is not for the faint-hearted and takes around three hours to get through. Walkers can follow the route once taken by boat horses over Marsden Moor Estate, an expanse of wild moorland inhabited by wildlife including golden plover, grouse, curlew and twite.

The canal's rebirth, against all the odds, is the outstanding success of the canal restoration movement. After being derelict for 50 years, it reopened to boats in 2001, thanks to the efforts of the local community and the Huddersfield Canal Society.

Find out why waterway writer Richard Fairhurst thinks the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is a 'full-on canal'.

Passage through Standedge Tunnel

If you would like to experience the thrill of taking your boat through Standedge Tunnel you will need to book in advance. For more information please see our Standedge Customer Guidelines.