Standedge Tunnel Boat trips

Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre will re-open to the public in the spring of 2021. We are still open for wedding and event enquiries, please email standedge@canalrivertrust.org.uk for further information.

Short boat trips 

Our short trips run regularly and give you a great insight into the construction and history of Standedge Tunnel. Our knowledgeable boat team are on hand to answer any questions you have. This trip is suitable for children all ages and is very popular for families.

Trip duration: 30 minutes

When: Boats run on the hour, every hour between these times:

• Saturday and Sunday  12 noon - 3.00pm
• Friday and Monday  12 noon - 2.00pm

There’s always one of our entertaining guides around, who’ll thrill you with tales of the folk who designed, built and worked in the tunnel.

We recommend booking during the holidays to avoid disappointment. If you've bought a Stray FM voucher, you'll need to book onto a specific boat time when you arrive at the Watersedge Cafe. There are only 29 spaces on each trip so spaces are limited.

Prices	Short boat trip
Adults	£5.50
Concessions	£5.00
Child (5-15yrs)	£4.50
Under 5s	Free
Family (2 adults, 2 children)	£15.50
Groups of 10 and over (pre-booking is needed)	Call for prices

Please note: There is no food or drink allowed on this trip and only assistant dogs are allowed on the boat. The short boat trips can take one wheelchair each trip and it’s accessible via a wheelchair lift.

Discovery boat trip

This is a great trip if you want to see more fascinating parts of the tunnel and find out about its history, but not go all the way through.

This trip takes you a quarter of the way into Standedge Tunnel. It gives you a chance to see the different type of brick work inside the tunnel and the bare rock with indentations of the star drill which used to dig the tunnel. 

Trip duration: 1 hour

When:  Saturday and Sunday mornings 

Time:  10.30am - 11.30am

Cost:  £15 per person (£50 for a group of 4)

Ticket includes: One hour boat trip into the tunnel, a breakfast sandwich: bacon, sausage or egg and any hot or cold drink, excluding alcoholic drinks.

Café opens at 9:30am to claim your sandwich and drink. Please note, the ticket is a set price, so if you decide you don’t want the sandwich or drink – you do not get a refund.

Boat trip through Standedge Tunnel

The through trip is a guided boat trip through Britain’s longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel, which is over three miles long. Our experienced boat team can give you plenty of interesting facts and answer any questions you have during the trip. If you’re a boat enthusiast, this is a trip you don’t want to miss.

There is a toliet on board and you're welcome to bring your own food and drinks to keep you refreshed during the trip. The cafe is open from 9:30am at Standedge, so you could also purchase a drink or a sandwich beforehand.

The tunnel can be chilly so bring warm clothing with you just in case!

Trip duration: 2.5 hours

Timings:  Marsden 10.00am and Diggle 1.00pm

Cost:  £28 per person (plus £5 taxi if needed)

Location: Marsden or Diggle

Through trip dates

• 19 September
• 6, 24 and 27 October

Please note that spaces on these trips are filling up quickly, so book now to avoid disapointment. You do need to book in advance.

We will be announcing next years Through Trips in February 2020.

Getting there

Please arrive 15 minutes before your trip is due to start, to check in and have a short brief about your trip.

We can run taxis at 12:30 from both sides. The taxi can either pick you up from Diggle after the morning trip or drop you off in Diggle in time for the afternoon boat trip. You'll need to meet at Standedge at 12:30 if you want a taxi to Diggle. Please note, it costs £5.00 per person for a taxi.

Or you're welcome to make your own way back after the tunnel trip.

Under and over boat trip and guided walk

The up and over trip takes you all the way through Britain’s longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel and a fairly strenuous five mile guided walk over the moors. You meet in Marsden at 10.00am and either get the boat to Diggle first (1.00pm walk back) or do the guided walk which is ran by the national trust. (1.00pm Boat back).

Cost:  £30

Timings: Marsden, 10.00am

Getting there

Please arrive by 9:45am in order to check in and have a short brief about the trip. The National Trust will be on site, ready to start the walk at 10.00am also.

Under and over dates

• 7 June 2020
• 6 September 2020

Please note, places are limited, so you'll need to contact us as soon as possible to avoid disapointment.

Booking in advance

There are 29 spaces are available on the short trip. So please book in advance during school holidays and on weekends.

Please call 01484 844298 or email Standedge@canalrivertrust.org.uk for any enquiries or bookings.

There are 20 spaces available on the through trips so it's important to book inadvance as places are limited.

Office opening times

Our office opening times are 9.00am - 2.00pm Monday - Friday. There's not always a member of our team in the office on weekends to take calls so if you're planning on visiting at the weekend, please call during the week beforehand. It's not necessary to book during the autumn - winter months as the boats are usually a lot quieter.