Britain’s longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel celebrates 25 years since landmark restoration and reopening

With a constant year-round temperature of around 8°C, a trip through Standedge Tunnel provides the perfect escape from the summer heat and this year the Canal & River Trust is hosting celebrations to mark 25 years since the reopening of the UK's longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel.

Once considered “the impossible restoration” a quarter of a century ago, the reopening of Standedge Tunnel and Huddersfield Narrow Canal is one of the Britain’s most remarkable and ambitious waterways restoration success stories.

Stretching 20 miles across the Pennines, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal connects Ashton-under-Lyne with Huddersfield, passing through dramatic landscapes and historic mill towns. At its heart lies Standedge Tunnel, cutting a remarkable 3.25-mile route beneath the hills between Marsden, near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, and Diggle in Lancashire.

Dug by hand over 17 years, the tunnel was completed in 1811 and was a monumental feat of Industrial Revolution engineering, originally constructed to enable the movement of goods across the country along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Before motorised boats, journeys through Standedge relied on “legging” — a gruelling process where boatmen lay on their backs and walked along the tunnel walls or roof to propel boats through darkness, often taking many hours.

Following decades of decline and closure in 1944, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and Standedge Tunnel were brought back to life through a complex restoration completed in 2001, made possible through the determination and advocacy of volunteers and organisations including the Huddersfield Canal Society.

Today, the canal and tunnel offer a blend of heritage and recreation. The UK’s longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel is on the bucket list of many boaters, and the general public can also add it to theirs, with guided boat and canoe trips available to book throughout the summer. Visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/museums-and-attractions/standedge-tunnel

To commemorate the 25th anniversary year of the canal and tunnel restoration, Canal & River Trust is hosting series of events supported by Friends of Standedge Tunnel, Huddersfield Canal Society and North of England Centre for Arts and Music. A flagship celebration event will take place on weekend on 1–2 August 2026 at Standedge Tunnel in Marden to coincide with school summer holidays and Yorkshire Day.

Popular TV personality and waterways storyteller Robbie Cumming will return to present his acclaimed live theatre show, Canal Boat Stories Live! at the North of England Centre for Music & Arts, on Saturday 1 August 2026. Drawing on his experiences filming the hit series Canal Boat Diaries, Robbie shares life on the waterways.

Other highlights include:
Boat trips and canoe experiences
Heritage activities and family events
Food and crafts stalls
Live music

Thanks to recent towpath improvements by Canal & River Trust, in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Kirklees Council, towpath users can enjoy enhanced access along Huddersfield Narrow Canal to enjoy the stunning surroundings of the Pennines. Families visiting Standedge Tunnel (Marsden) can explore a small boat-themed play area, look out for resident ducks and explore the onsite nature reserve using the Admiral's Trail.

Catherine Clayton, area operations manager at Canal & River Trust looks after the team that maintains the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and Standedge Tunnel. She explained: “The reopening of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and Standedge Tunnel 25 years ago was a truly transformative moment. It reconnected communities, revived a historic route across the Pennines and created a destination that continues to inspire.

“We’ve been working closely with Friends of Standedge, Huddersfield Canal Society and the Northern Centre for Music and Arts to bring together an extra special year of events and activities to celebrate this remarkable achievement.”

Despite its success, the Trust emphasises that caring for such a complex and historic waterway remains an ongoing challenge. Sean McGinley regional director Yorkshire & North East at Canal & River Trust explains: “Twenty-five years after its reopening, the work to protect Standedge Tunnel and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal continues.

“Keeping this remarkable waterway open and thriving requires ongoing care, engineering expertise and careful water management which is happening at the current major upgrade scheme at Slaithwaite Reservoir which helps feed Huddersfield's canals.”

To find out more about Canal & River Trust and Standedge Tunnel visit: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/standedge-tunnel-and-visitor-centre