Walking the Huddersfield Narrow Canal towpath from Marsden to Slaithwaite,
The Standedge Tunnel as it enters the Pennine Hills nr MarsdenBeautifully located Marsden in the heart of the Colne Valley, where Luddites met in inns and the market place, is not only a fascinating place for those interested in the history of the industrial revolution, it's also a popular walker base for pushing out to the Marsden Moor Estate. The stunning moorland of Marsden Moor rises high above Marsden and is is cared for by the National Trust.
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The Moor is renowned as the home to classic moorland birds such as the curlew and the snipe. Marsden makes for an excellent challenging walker base for the moors or more pleasant walks along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal towpath running conveniently between Marsden and Slaithwaite (with ample pubs, restaurants and cafes at both ends!).
When you park up by Marsden railway station you'll see a National Trust information point which is an excellent starting point. From here you can pick up the 'Marsden and Tunnel End' trail guide which is most useful in getting about town! There are many buildings of interest relating particularly to Marsden's expansion during the industrial revolution. The main high street - Peel Street is dotted with gift shops, pubs and cafes. For great real ale call in at one of Marsden's many fine pubs. Plenty of tearooms and restaurants are here too.
The Mikron Theatre Company is a registered charity and is the best known touring theatre company relating to canal and waterways themes - although it performs a whole range of drama, often with musical connections. This touring theatre company has a long history, originating from a small group who toured on the Tyseley Narrowboat. The company still sometimes tours nationally by narrow-boat and performs nationally at various atmospheric venues including Richmond's Georgian Theatre and Nottingham's Victoria Inn. Their remit is to bring theatre to people who don't think of themselves as theatre-goers. They often perform at the Marsden Mechanics on Peel Street, which is their main base. Check out their website for upcoming performances. The box office number is 01484 843701. Previous themes reflected in past performances include Women's Suffrage (A Woman's Place) and the history of the Clarion Cycling Club (Pedal Power).
Mikron Theatre Company, Marsden Mechanics, Peel Street, Marsden, Huddersfield HD7 6BW. Tel. 01484 843701.
Marsden bursts into life annually in October for its Jazz Festival, with live jazz acts performing in almost every available Marsden venue including, weather permitting, outside. Checkout the Marsden Jazz Festival webguide right for forthcoming programme.
With the coming of transport - rail and canal - to this remote spot, industrial growth was inevitable. The building of the canal was filled with problems (see the Huddersfield Narrow Canal page), but the vision was finally realised when the whole canal, including the magnificent Standedge Tunnel, was opened finally in 1811.
A trip through the Standedge Tunnel is highly recommended to experience this amazing achievement of engineering. The tunnel is 7 feet wide and 3 _ miles long and used to take 'leggers' approximately 4 hours to push a narrow-boat through lying on their backs and using their legs only. (There's a picture of the record holder on the second floor of the Standedge Visitors Centre who apparently did it in 1 hour and 25 minutes!)
Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre, Waters Road, Marsden, Huddersfield HD7 6NQ. Tel. 01484 844298.
The rail link from Manchester to Huddersfield (with the new line from Stalybridge to Huddersfield) was finally completed in July 1849 to much celebration. Initially there was only one Standedge rail tunnel - a single track which suffered several accidents.
Later, however, a second tunnel was opened in 1871 and another tunnel through Standedge was begun in 1890. The 1890 tunnel was this time wide enough to lay a double track. The building of these rail tunnels meant extra supports were need for the canal. You can see these arch supports if you take a trip by narrow-boat through the Standedge canal tunnel!)
Along the canal towpath from Marsden you can walk up to Slaithwaite which, with its wharves and warehouses became a major distribution point for the upper part of the valley. This area was regarded as a key woollen producer.
Covering nearly 5685 acres the stunning moorland of Marsden Moor is a designated SSSI incorporating the northern area of the Peak District. The Pennine Way National Trail winds up through the area (Marsden makes for an ideal accommodation base not far from the Pennine Way). Marsden Moor's landscapes include valleys, peaks, crags and reservoirs. It's a popular spot with bird watchers who can expect to see moorland birds such as red grouse, curlew, diminutive twite and golden plover. For more information on facilities see the National Trust webguide right and visit the National Trust Centre near Marsden Railway Station.
Marsden Moor Estate, Estate Office, The Old Goods Yard, Station Road, Marsden, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD7 6DH. Tel. 01484 847016
