Marsden is a small town in West Yorkshire.
Understand
Marsden is a small town in the Pennines between Oldham and Huddersfield. It lies on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal (Huddersfield–Ashton-under-Lyne, 20 miles) at the eastern end of the Standedge Tunnel, the longest canal tunnel in Britain. The Pennine Way (Edale–Kirk Yetholm, 268 miles) runs north–south over Standedge, a couple of miles west of the town.
Get in
Marsden is on the A62 Oldham to Huddersfield road. It has a station on the Huddersfield Line with hourly services from Manchester Victoria (32 min) and Huddersfield (12 min). The 183 and 184 bus serves Marsden from Huddersfield Bus Station.
Get around
See
Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre, Waters Road, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6NQ (half a mile west of the station; 15-minute walk along towpath; water taxi available at weekends), 53.6038°, -1.9420°, +44 1484 844298. 10.30am–4pm (M–F), 10am–5pm (weekend). Standedge Tunnel (opened 1811) is the longest canal tunnel in Britain. It was closed in 1944 but reopened after restoration in 2001. Café, exhibition and soft play area at the Visitor Centre.
- Marsden Moor Estate, Marsden Moor Estate Office and Exhibition Room, Station Road, Marsden, HD7 6DH, 53.601845°, -1.93045°, +44 1484 847016, marsdenmoor@nationaltrust.org.uk. An area of 2400 hectares (5600 acres) of unenclosed common moorland, almost surrounding the village of Marsden, with valleys, reservoirs, peaks and crags, as well as archaeological remains dating from pre-Roman times to the great engineering structures of the canal and railway ages. Owned by the National Trust, there is a visitors' centre near to Marsden rail station. Accessible by train to Marsden station, or by buses 183, 184 & 185 from Huddersfield; car parking available at various locations through the estate. Estate open every day at all times; visitors centre open every day 9AM-5PM. Free
- Marsden and Standedge Tunnel End. Beautiful moorland scenery and historic industrial archaeology. Includes the chance to take a boat ride into the UK's longest canal tunnel. This is possible as a trip by train to Marsden & Standedge or you can drive to Marsden. Open every day. Free.
Do
Standedge Tunnel boat trip, Waters Road, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6NQ, 53.6038°, -1.9420°, +44 1484 844298. 11am–3pm (M–F), 10am–4pm (weekend). Hourly 30-minute trips available; 2-hour through trips to Diggle and back are available every other Saturday during summer. Adults (£4.50); Seniors (60+) & Students (£4); Child 5–15 yrs (£3.50); 4 & under (Free); Family Ticket (£14)
Buy
Eat
Drink
- Riverhead Brewery Tap, 2 Peel Street, HD7 6BR, 53.6013°, -1.9274°, +44 1484 841270. Well-regarded real-ale pub and restaurant.
Sleep
- The Carriage House, Manchester Rd., +44 1484 844419.