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Standedge Tunnel, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Accessible to all craft kept on the connected inland waterways

Silver Propeller Challenge

Location

Marsden Moor, near Huddersfield

Visit Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal by boat or canoe.

It has been chosen as a Silver Propeller Location due to the small number of visiting boats.  A picture of your boat at either end of Standedge Tunnel would be a good proof of your visit. 

Complete our challenge by visiting 20 locations from our list, you will receive our exclusive plaque and goody bag.

 

About the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal runs south-west across the Pennines from Huddersfield, joining the Huddersfield Broad Canal to the Ashton Canal.  The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is 20.1 miles (32.2 km) long and has 74 locks.  The summit is the highest stretch of canal in the country.  It includes Standedge Tunnel, which is the longest canal tunnel at 3 ¼ miles (5.2km) long and is also the deepest underground as it burrows under the Pennines.

Construction began in 1794 and opened in 1811 after multiple problems and several years after its main rival the Rochdale Canal.  It proved to be only moderately successful due to being a narrow canal and traffic delays at Standedge.  The canal was mostly abandoned in 1944 and officially closed in 1963.  After 27 years of campaigning and restoration by the Huddersfield Canal Society, the canal was fully re-opened to navigation in 2001.

[The photo shows Tunnel End, Marsden, at the eastern side of Standedge Tunnel]

Note for Visitors

Location

Postcode: HD7 6NQ

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Boat Dimensions

The maximum size of boat that can navigate the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is:

Length: 70′ 1″ (21.34 metres) – Lock 41E (Dirker Lock, Marsden)
Beam: 6′ 10″ (2.1 metres) – Lock 41E
Height: 6′ 10″ (2.1 metres) – Aspley Bridge (Huddersfield)
Draught: 2′ 11″ (0.9 metres) – Lock 41E Length: – Lock 41E (Dirker Lock, Marsden)
Locks 21W and 22W (Uppermill) are unevenly shaped and narrow.

A handcuff key will be required for some locks.

Passage of the summit locks and Standedge Tunnel must be booked in advance, and is only available on certain days of the week in each direction.

Canoeing. Hire Boats and Boat Trips

Canoeing is encouraged on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal with a Canal & River Trust licence or British Canoeing membership.

Boat trips into and through Standedge Tunnel are run by Canal & River Trust.

 

Also see…

Visit the Standedge Visitor Centre for the story of the tunnel.

 

Challenge Location

Standedge Tunnel

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

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