Photos of Harecastle Tunnel:

Narrowboat emerging from the south side of Telford's Harecastle Tunnel

photo: Bigles March 2007

South Portal, Harecastle Tunnel, Trent and Mersey Canal

Convoys of a maximum eight boats are allowed through in each direction, at roughly hourly intervals. Navigating through the 2926 yard (2675 metre) tunnel takes between 35 and 55 minutes, depending on the skill of the drivers in the narrow boats in maintaining speed and avoiding scraping the sides.

The arch of the entrance to Brindley's original tunnel can be seen to the left of the picture

photo: Roger Kidd - Aug 2007

The north portal of the original James Brindley tunnel completed in 1777

photo: Andy & Hilary - April 2005

The north portal of the Telford tunnel - alongside the Brindley tunnel
This tunnel was completed in 1827 by Thomas Telford to relieve congestion on the Trent & Mersey Canal, it is still in use today

photo: Andy & Hilary - April 2005

A canal narrowboat waits to enter the north entrance to the tunnel

photo: Raymond Okonski - May 1986

A view of the Brindley and Telford tunnels at the north end

The rusty colour of the water is caused by leaching from the ironstone strata in the Harecastle Tunnel

photo:  David Mastin - Oct 2006