Glenfield Tunnel

The Glenfield Tunnel was built in 1829. Officially the longest railway tunnel in the world when opened in 1832, it was one of the world's first underground rail routes used by steam trains to carry coal from North West Leicestershire's pits to the city. It shut in the 1960s when British Rail sold it to Leicester City Council for £5.

From May to October, The Leicestershire Industrial Historical Society take the public 400 yards (380 metres) into the Hanoverian Glenfield tunnel, once part of the Leicester & Swannington Railway. The rest of the railway still runs today through Coalville and is part of the Campaign to Re-open the Ivanhoe Line (CRIL).

For the public, tickets are free, but donations to the society who provide everything that you see on the tunnel tour are requested and appreciated. Much of your donation goes toward safety equipment and training, but the society also give away educational material to schools and youth groups on specially arranged visits.

Should you wish to attend as a corporate entity or a private group, such arrangements can be made but are dependent upon volunteer availability in order to make up minimum numbers. Again, we will ask for a significant donation reflecting the hours our volunteers put in.

We can also arrange visits for the neurodiverse and other disabled communities.

To access the tunnel you will need to be able to walk unaided for 800 metres (half a mile) in 30 minutes. Should you have any accessibility issues, the team will make every allowance for you, but they cannot allow anything with wheels into the tunnel due to the gravel floor.

Please note that there are no toilet facilities at the tunnel, but the Forge Inn is at the start, and the Railway Inn is at the end – you will need to walk past these venues on the tour. Both pubs offer fantastic food and drink, so why not go for a meal alongside your visit?