Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre - Canal & River Trust Reviews Summary

Cafe

Pros:

• "The food in the cafe is amazing, great doorstep sandwiches beautifully presented, and flavoursome soup."
• "Had a tasty toastie for lunch at the Waterside Café..yummy."
• "Loved going here on bank holiday weekend, we had carrot cake and coffee at the cafe. Excellent cake and friendly service, could do with more parking."
• "The cafe is the best thing about this place."
• "Cafe itself is super with a good range of savoury food and cake."
• "The service was friendly and the cheese and onion toastie was delicious."
• "Hi just been there again cafe is fantastic especially for the breakfast."

Cons:

• "Good menu though I thought flapjack too small for £3!"
• "Just a suggestion to the chef at cafe, shorten and simplify your menu. I had to ask for my money back today. I waited just under an hour for my food, which never came."
• "Very expensive to eat at the cafe."
• "The Tunnel boat trip is fabulous BUT save your money in the cafe, the food took ages to arrive (when they were not busy) and the sausages were pretty horrible in my breakfast butty."
• "The food took quite a long time this morning-considering we were the first ones to arrive I thought the wait on food was a little too long."
• "Used to be good but it runs now by a new management. Slow service and the waitress cannot be bothered to serve cutlery or sauces."
• "The waters edge cafe was busy we had to wait a while for our order but the food was excellent and well worth the wait."

Tunnel Experience

Pros:

• "A canal trip through the tunnel is an experience."
• "A hidden gem! Not sure how I missed it last time but had a really cool trip into the tunnel, such an amazing feat of engineering."
• "The boat trip experience was great, Stuart had such a great sense of humour and he provided so much interesting information about the tunnel."
• "Superb setting and a phenomenal feat of engineering 200 years ago, delighted to see it back in service and would recommend the boat trips into the tunnel."
• "The guide was really knowledgeable explaining the history of the tunnel and making it fun for the younger ones."
• "The tunnel experience tour is well worth doing to get a glimpse into the tunnel."
• "Fabulous 30 minute ride barge ride into the tunnel, narrated throughout explaining the history and current operation of the tunnel."

Cons:

• "Our children had found the tunnel on YouTube and have been looking forward to the reopening so we can go on a boat trip. To find that under 6's are not allowed due to Covid has left them very disappointed."
• "Unfortunately the tunnel was closed, but it was nice to sit outside & have drink."
• "We couldn't through the tunnel as my grandson is 5 years old on one website it says 5 years plus but it's now 6 years old it says on another website."
• "Was a bit scary for the wife, who does not like enclosed places."
• "Was disappointed the museum wasn't open due to a lack of volunteers, and I couldn't get on the same boat trip as my family."
• "Very pricey, you don't get a lot from these tours."
• "For a family you'd be spending £100 easily. For a short journey. Then they expect you to pay £5 each for a taxi back..."

Parking and Accessibility

Pros:

• "The parking near Marsden train station is large and free of charge."
• "There is some parking next to the canal, and space on the road just outside the car park."
• "You can park further away and catch a shuttle boat to the entrance."
• "We parked in the free car park by the station."

Cons:

• "It has no parking, only vehicle slots available for staff and for disabled blue badge holders."
• "What could be a large area for visitor parking was being used purely for guests."
• "Parking is tricky, find a spot on the lane above because only disabled and staff are allowed to park in the yard."
• "Parking at the museum is for staff only. 😡"
• "Bad car parking. Only about 5 car parking spaces & 3 disabled spaces at train station."
• "Just to get there is difficult as the road is very narrow and steep."
• "I usually love this place but now the canal Trust have taken over and turned the car park into staff and disabled parking only, I can't go anymore as the walk from Marsden is too far."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "The staff were very friendly and helpful."
• "Big thanks to Gordon, Mike and Greg for a fun trip."
• "The guides were incredible, they made the whole experience so memorable."
• "Enjoyed the boat tour, staff are knowledgeable and friendly."
• "The tour guide and driver where incredibly friendly."
• "All the staff are very friendly and helpful. Especially Victoria ☺☺"
• "The staff all dressed up and made it a great trip."

Cons:

• "Visitor centre not open due to shortage of volunteers."
• "Drove over 1 hour to find out its closed and only open selected dates advertised on the gate."
• "Very unhappy about the museum being closed because of staff not being available."

Family and Children

Pros:

• "We loved this as a family. Really interesting history. Quite unique."
• "A fantastic day out with the whole family."
• "Great for families, walkers, history lovers."
• "There is a park to entertain the kids and a fantastic walk for everyone to enjoy."
• "There’s also a playground with plenty of benches, and also toilets."
• "There is a little playground for the kids too."
• "A great place to visit whatever your age great history lesson for all ages."

Cons:

• "For a family you'd be spending £100 easily. For a short journey. Then they expect you to pay £5 each for a taxi back..."
• "We couldn't through the tunnel as my grandson is 5 years old on one website it says 5 years plus but it's now 6 years old it says on another website."