Standedge Tunnel is Britain's highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel stretching through the Pennines from Diggle to Marsden on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

We had a lovely afternoon at the centre today; my husband is disabled and they were able to accommodate him easily on the canal boat, which was great! My two year old son was made to feel very welcome on the boat, and had a lovely time as the boat took us through part of the famous tunnel. I wouldn't attempt this trip with a child who might be nervous about tunnels - my son had a bit of a wobbly about "out of the tunnel right now" but as he actually does like tunnels was persuaded to enjoy it! The tour guide was excellent and extremely knowledgeable, and let my son play with the 'pretend' candle she had to show us what it would have been like for the leggers, whose job it was to push a canal boat through the entire 3.5 mile tunnel using their legs braced against the tunnel walls.

The boat and visitors' centre is completely wheelchair friendly, the cafe/ticket office not quite as much as there is a door frame that would present challenges for an electric wheelchair.

- Nancy Pickering / Oct 07

http://www.standedge.co.uk/