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BRITAIN BENEATH · GUIDE · 8 OCTOBER 2026

Six Entrances, Three Tunnels: The Puzzle on Manchester’s Canal Map

Woodley, Hydebank and Scout have six listed entrances between them. They belong to three tunnels. Look at the stone arches and you can see why each end has a description of its own.

Based on published records and visitor information. We have not visited these places.

AI-generated illustration

AI-generated illustration. A cutaway showing one tunnel and its two entrances. Imagined scene, not a real site view.

An imagined cutaway shows one tunnel with two ends. It is not a measured plan or exact view of Woodley, Hydebank or Scout.

AI-generated for Britain Beneath · 2026-09-27. Resized and converted to WebP for faster loading; no cropping.

Six records, three tunnels

Six heritage records mark the ends of three canal tunnels: Woodley, Hydebank and Scout. Historic England lists an entrance at each end separately. The number of map pins is therefore twice the number of passages.

Each tunnel has an entrance at both ends. These are often called portals. Woodley’s northern entrance has an almost round stone arch, while Scout’s southern arch is more oval. The separate records describe the materials, dates and repairs at each entrance.

Our map keeps the separate official records. This guide connects the pairs, then explains the details builders gave each entrance. The records do not establish whether you can walk through the tunnels today.

Woodley went beneath a road

At Woodley, the Peak Forest Canal had to go under Hyde Road. The northern entrance has an almost round stone arch. Historic England dates it to 1794–1801 and names Benjamin Outram and Thomas Brown as engineers. The builders used millstone grit, a type of stone.

The record gives the tunnel’s length as 176 yards. Its southern entrance has a separate listing. It is the other end of the same passage.

Workers altered the tunnel during its working life. The northern record describes cement over the curved roof and a replacement towpath. Its old stone entrance leads into a passage that includes later repairs and changes.

Different arches, the same task

Hydebank is also on the Peak Forest Canal. Its western entrance dates to 1794–1801. Historic England again names Outram and Brown. This arch is a half-circle, with stone bands across the front. A curved wall stands above it, and steps are built into the wall beside it.

Its eastern entrance completes the pair. A second record describes that end of the same tunnel.

Scout Tunnel, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, has an oval arch at its southern entrance. Historic England dates that end to 1794–1797 and links it to Outram. A separate record describes the northern entrance.

Check before going through

Finding both ends does not tell you whether you can pass through. A map pin does not mark a safe approach. Nor does it prove there is a usable towpath all the way inside.

Heritage records may describe things seen years ago. They are not current opening notices. Check the canal operator’s advice and stay on established public routes. Do not cross private land or enter a tunnel just to reach the other pin.

Sources and further reading

Written from the linked official records, checked on 22 September 2026. We have not visited these places. Check that the people running a place say it is open before planning entry. Map points are not visitor entrances. Check current visitor details before travelling. The 6 place records below give more information.

You can follow the links to read the original sources. Sources and permissions.

Places in this story

Underground

Woodley Tunnel, North Portal At Sj 9360 9221 On Peak Forest Canal

Near Stockport

Access not confirmed

Underground

Woodley Tunnel, South Portal At Sj 9350 9205 On Peak Forest Canal

Near Stockport

Access not confirmed

Underground

Number 15 (West Entrance To Hydebank Tunnel) On Peak Forest Canal

Near Stockport

Access not confirmed

Underground

Number 15 (East Entrance To Hydebank Tunnel) On Peak Forest Canal

Near Stockport

Access not confirmed

Underground

Huddersfield Narrow Canal Scout Tunnel, south entrance

Near Oldham

Access not confirmed

Underground

Huddersfield Narrow Canal Scout Tunnel North Entrance

Near Oldham

Access not confirmed