Page updated 25 October 2005
Based on mapping ©2001 Richard Fairhurst, Canal Boat & Inland Waterways
General Remarks
The Colne Valley
Leaving Slaithwaite in a wooded section you then encounter a half mile of open views of the steep-sided Colne Valley. From the winding hole above Lock 31E (Booth) a footpath leads south to the Olive Branch, a "Restaurant with Rooms". Before Lock 33E, as you reach Sparth Reservoir, the trees encroach once more.
Marsden
The trees continue up the Marsden flight of locks and, in summer, surprisingly little is seen of the village.
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©2002 Richard Hirst Lock 40E and the edge of Marsden beyond |
There are pubs, shops and takeaways in the village. The railway station is alongside Lock 42E with trains to Ashton, Stalybridge, Greenfield and Huddersfield. The hourly 184 bus service continues from the A62 in Marsden to Uppermill (Two hourly 365 on Sundays). There are also more frequent buses to Huddersfield.
The canal passes between the village and its railway station. Here, in the National Trust building on the station car park, a very small, but worthwhile, free exhibition about the area opened, in May 2002. There follows a secluded half mile stretch before the Tunnel End complex.
Standedge Tunnel
A short distance from the Marsden portal is the Standedge Visitor Centre, converted from a former canal transhipment warehouse.
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©2002 Richard Hirst The Standedge Experience Visitor Centre |
The Standedge Visitor Centre is normally open at the week-ends, bank holidays and daily during school holidays from Easter to September. Entrance is to the centre is free. Visitors may go on a short boat trip into the tunnel.
(See: http://www.waterscape.com/servicesdirectory/Standedge_Tunnel or telephone 01484 845624 for further information.)
Huddersfield Canal Society run a trip boat, the "Marsden Shuttle", from Marsden Station to the Visitor Centre when it is open (75p Adults, 50p Concessions).
Through trips for boat-owners run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (including Bank Holidays). Bookings must be made in advance. For bookings and enquiries please contact Yorkshire Waterways Customer Services on 01977 554351. (Westbound passages from Marsden tend to start around 8:30-9:00am and eastbound from Diggle around 12:30-1:00pm.)
Prospective foot passengers may also want to use the hourly 184 bus service (two hourly 365 service on Sundays) between Manchester Road, Marsden and Huddersfield Road, Diggle. (See Timetable here.)
Pubs and Restaurants
Marsden:
Crowther's Brassiere (Waters Road, Marsden, HD7 6NG. (West of Tunnel End Inn) Tel: 01484 844235, http://www.heygreen.com )
Within Hey Green Hotel, a country house hotel which also boast a lounge bar and conservatory and the more formal Eastergate Restaurant.
Riverhead Brewery Tap (Peel Street, Marsden, Tel: 01484 841270)
An excellent "micro-brewery" pub. It has a range of seven beers brewed on the premises. It doesn't serve food and opens at 5pm.
The Waters Edge Licensed Tea-Rooms (Standedge Visitor Centre, Tel: 01484 844298 http://www.standedge.co.uk)
Linked with the Visitor Centre, it sells a range of hot and cold drinks.
Tunnel End Inn (Reddisher Road, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6NF Tel: 01484 844636 http://hometown.aol.co.uk/mrslmontgomery/TunnelEndInnMarsden.html)
The pub re-opened in May 2002, after refurbishment. Black Sheep, Landlord and Tetleys ales are served by friendly staff. Meals are available: Friday 18:30-20:30, Saturday 12:00-14:30 and 18:00-20:00 and Sunday 12:00-15:00. During the week meals can be served only if pre-booked.
The Olive Branch (Manchester Rd, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6LU Tel: 01484 844487. http://www.olivebranch.uk.com/)
A restaurant with rooms and a bar. Open every evening, except Monday, all day Sunday and Friday lunchtimes. To book a table or room you are asked to call between 10:00am and 10:00pm. The restaurant is featured in the Which? Good Food Guide 2002.
The Railway Inn (34 Station Road, Marsden, Tel: 01484 841541) Adjoining Lock 42E/Marsden railway station. New management in 2004. Burtonwood beers. Food served daily until 8.30pm.
Other Comments
- Lock 27E
- The lock is kept padlocked. Passage further up is only allowed with BW escort and is restricted to those who have booked a passage through Standedge Tunnel. (See the Navigation Notes for further information.)