Sunday Days Out #3 – Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre (Marsden)

Continuing our series of ideas for days out on the new Sunday service, we feature the fascinating Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre in the beautiful pennine town of Marsden.

Standedge Tunnel is a remarkable engineering feat: the highest, longest, and deepest canal tunnel in the UK !

The Tunnel Visitor Centre is a pretty 15-minute walk from Marsden station along the canal towpath and tells the remarkable history of the tunnel. It also offers a cafe and outdoor picnic area beside the canal.

Other activities available include:

• guided boat-trips along the canal and into the tunnel
• a nature trail
• a heritage trail
• pub lunches in Marsden
• glorious walking in the surrounding hills

There’s a full programme of special events including:

• Sun 11 July – Canal Arts and Crafts workshop
• Sun 8 August – Falconry Day
• Sun 12 September – Vintage Car Show
• Sun 26 September – Rag Rug Making
• Sun 10 October – Marsden Jazz Festival (starts Fri 8th)
• Sun 17 October – Canal Art
• Sun 31 October – Halloween
• Sundays 28 November, 5 and 12 December – Christmas Craft Fair and Santa Trips

Please see the Standedge Tunnel website for full details of these and other attractions.

Marsden is reached by changing train at Manchester Victoria. Some suggested times are detailed below – but please check your journey on National Rail Enquiries before travelling as weekend engineering works can affect services.

Take the 09.37 from Walkden (arrive Victoria 09.58) and change at Victoria to the 10.43 to Marsden arriving 11.15. Both services run approximately hourly during the day. PLEASE NOTE there are bus replacements between Victoria and Stalybridge for much of July and August as Marsden trains are diverted to/from Piccadilly.

The service pattern is approximately hourly for the return journey too. The last advertised connection leaves Marsden at 16.50 and arrives back to Victoria at 17.26 (or slightly later – at 17.42 – when the bus replacement is running). The last train to Walkden leaves Victoria at 18.12.

Train times between Victoria and Marsden change on September 12 but there will still be some services operated as bus replacements. Full details can be found on National Rail Enquiries’ Journey Planner website.
Sample fares include:
Off-peak Adult Return: £10.30
Off-peak Child Return: £5.15

Disclaimer: The information given is correct to the best of our knowledge but we cannot be responsible for any errors, changes, or consequences thereof. Please check all times, opening hours, and prices with the relevant providers before travelling.