What's On
On 29th 30th and 31st October our boat trips will have a Halloween theme and will depart at 1100 1200 1400 and 1500. The 1500 trip is a "scream tea" trip and a cream tea will be served on board with a Halloween theme. There will be ghost stories in the long dark tunnel!
For the last three days of October we suspend our normal timetable and run Halloween-themed tunnel trips at 1100-1200 and 1400, and a "Scream Tea" trip at 1500 lasting a little longer and inluding a cream tea on a Halloween theme.
| Ticket | Tunnel trip | Scream tea |
|---|---|---|
| Adult 16-64 | £17 | £26 |
| Concession | £15 | £24 |
| Child 0-15 | £11 | £19 |
Concessions are for students, seniors 65+, and unwaged, with evidence of entitlement

All tickets include your museum visit. All trips include a hot drink on board the boat. A guide travels with you to give a historical commentary. Scream Tea cruises include a scone cream and jam. All the Halloween trips include a themed pastry cake or biscuit
If there are any tickets left you can book online up to 15 minutes before departure. After that any unsold seats can be paid for at reception. However, this is not a good idea, it is reccommended that you book in advance otherwise disappointment is likely. If you make a booking online after paying for museum admission your museum entry ticket can be refunded at reception.
Please be aware that tickets are not refundable. If you give us a minimum of one week's notice by email not by telephone we may be willing to transfer your booking to a different date. This is at our discretion. We do not offer or promise refunds if you cannot come on the day or at short notice. Refunds will only be made in exceptional circumstances, with at least a week's notice, and an administration charge of £2 per person will be deducted. Changes can only be requested by e-mail or using our Online Booking Support Form. Please do not telephone asking to change your booking.
The tunnel was largely complete by 1818 and opened in 1820 with a procession of boats carrying dignitaries. The engineer was the canal's engineer James Morgan, and the tunnel is the major work of his life. Originally it was worked by "legging", which means that men lay on their backs on planks mounted on boats and pushed against the walls or roof of the tunnel to propel the boat. This was necessary because there is no towpath through the tunnel. Later, in 1826, a steam chain tug was introduced. An iron chain rang the whole length of the tunnel and was wound around a drum on board the tug, which was turned by a steam engine. Thus, the tug was pulled along the chain and it could tow several barges behind it. This speeded up traffic considerably. This method of towing boats and barges through the tunnel lasted almost without a break until 1926 by which time diesel tugs were available. The tunnel has lasted well since 1820 and remains in frequent use. You will be able to see the original brickwork and some sections that have been repaired in more recent years. It is 960 yards long and it will take about 20 minutes to pass through it in each direction on your trip. Your guide on trips that pass through the tunnel will tell you more.
| Halloween special | Fully booked | ||