Dudley Canal & Caverns

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Dudley Canal & Caverns See the network of underground canal routes that helped form the industrial Black Country and marvel at the fantastic Limestone Caverns.
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We offer family, group, school and corporate boat trips along the Dudley Canal. Enjoy a 45 minute trip through the network of tunnels and limestone caverns, or meander the waterways of the Black Country on a longer 2-hour, 3-hour or 6-hour journey. Our history goes back to 1963 when the Dudley Canal Tunnel Preservation Society was formed to protect the tunnel, and in particular to oppose the Railway plans to block the Tipton Portal with an embankment. In 1970 the Society became the Dudley Canal Trust. In 2015 supported by European Regional Development Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Biffa Award alongside other funders we opened our new Portal building, complete with restaurant, shop, exhibition gallery and learning space. We cater for over 80,000 passengers per year and any trading surplus is used to help maintain the Tunnel and Dudley Canal and its environment.

Christmas at the Caverns is so much bigger this year 🎄The Christmas Makers Guild is where the magic starts - you'll boar...
10/10/2026

Christmas at the Caverns is so much bigger this year 🎄

The Christmas Makers Guild is where the magic starts - you'll board a narrowboat into secret underground workshops, meet the elves frantically preparing for Santa's inspection, help restore the magic, and come face to face with Santa himself. But there's more happening throughout December.

There are wreath-making workshops if you want to get creative with mulled w**e and mince pies. There's a Festive Light Trail where you glide through the caverns surrounded by twinkling decorations and Christmas music. And if you're after pure festive magic, the Vintage Voices Choir are singing carols in Singing Cavern.

Whether you want adventure, creativity, atmosphere or song, Christmas at Dudley has something for everyone. All the details are on our website! 🧑‍🎄

https://dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/events/christmas-at-dudley-canal-caverns/

We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring our canals to life 🚤If you're passionate about local heritage, e...
08/10/2026

We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring our canals to life 🚤

If you're passionate about local heritage, enjoy meeting new people, and want to be part of something that genuinely matters, we'd love to hear from you.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
✨ Welcoming visitors with a smile
✨ Helping with boat handling and safety
✨ Supporting our events
✨ Keeping the towpath tidy and hazard-free
✨ Working alongside our skippers and boat crew

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
✨ Enthusiastic, reliable people
✨ Comfortable chatting with the public
✨ Keen interest in Black Country history
✨ Team players who love the outdoors

WHAT WE OFFER
✨ Full training on boat handling and safety
✨ A genuinely supportive team environment
✨ Great exercise in a beautiful outdoor setting

If this sounds like you, get in touch with Lesley Whiteman, our Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected]

This Halloween, Wilma needs your help! 🎃Something's gone terribly wrong in the caverns. Her magical spells have unravele...
06/10/2026

This Halloween, Wilma needs your help! 🎃

Something's gone terribly wrong in the caverns. Her magical spells have unraveled, the Halloween decorations have lost their sparkle, and everything she's been preparing for has started to crumble.

We need you to head underground on a rescue mission. You'll navigate the caverns solving clues, encountering mysterious characters, and piecing together what went wrong as you hunt for her magic. When you reach the Witch's Lair in Singing Cavern, everything comes together and you'll help restore what's been lost.

And then it's time to celebrate! The groovy UV party is absolutely glowing and electric, with music and colour and pure Halloween magic everywhere. You've brought the magic back and now it's time to party! 🚀✨

Join us from 26th October! 👻

https://dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/events/halloween/

Join us for a Macmillan Coffee Morning 🫖Chit Chat are hosting a coffee morning right here at Dudley Canal & Caverns, and...
03/10/2026

Join us for a Macmillan Coffee Morning 🫖

Chit Chat are hosting a coffee morning right here at Dudley Canal & Caverns, and all the proceeds are going to Macmillan Cancer Support. Whether you're a regular visitor, a friend, or just fancy a cuppa and a chat with some lovely people, you're welcome to come along.

It's happening Thursday 8th October from 10am-12pm in The Loft. Tea, coffee and cake are available with donations going to Macmillan. It's a brilliant way to support a cause that matters whilst enjoying some time with good company overlooking the canal.

Pop by and say hello!

01/10/2026

The towpath inspection crew just got bigger 🐦

These pigeons have taken it upon themselves to do a full perimeter check - probably wondering what all the fuss is about with all the Halloween prep going on. Can't blame them really, there's a lot happening down here as we get ready for the spooky season.

29/09/2026

As September draws to a close, the witches are getting everything ready 🎃

We've been working alongside Wilma and her crew to prepare the caverns for what's coming. The decorations are being carefully placed, every trinket is finding its spot, and the magic is building beneath the ground.

The witches are buzzing with excitement about what's taking shape - laughing about the plans, making sure every spell is exactly right, transforming the darkness into something completely mesmerising. There's still so much to do, but you can feel it coming. The countdown is on.

October's nearly here and spooky season is coming with it. Wilma's getting ready to welcome you into the caverns this Halloween 👻

https://dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/events/halloween/

We've got some brilliant news to share 🏆Dudley Canal & Caverns has been shortlisted as a finalist in the West Midlands T...
26/09/2026

We've got some brilliant news to share 🏆

Dudley Canal & Caverns has been shortlisted as a finalist in the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2027 in the Experience of the Year category. We're absolutely thrilled.

This is recognition of everything our team does day in and day out - the care we put into every visit, the stories we share, the community we've built, and the passion for this incredible place that runs through everything we do.

A huge thank you to everyone who's been part of making this possible - our volunteers, our visitors, our team, and everyone who's helped us protect and celebrate this underground world.

Christmas is being made underground 🎄Deep beneath Dudley, there's a secret workshop where the magic actually happens. Th...
25/09/2026

Christmas is being made underground 🎄

Deep beneath Dudley, there's a secret workshop where the magic actually happens. The elves are frantically preparing for Santa's inspection and they need your help.

You'll board a narrowboat into the caverns, journey through magical workshops, meet characters along the way, and come face to face with Santa himself. Then it's a hot mince pie and festive drinks in The Grotto whilst Christmas magic glows all around you.

It's coming this December. Head to our website to book your spot!

https://dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/events/christmas/

A 15-year-old boy wrote a call to arms and dropped it down a tunnel 🍾In 1962, British Waterways officially closed the Du...
24/09/2026

A 15-year-old boy wrote a call to arms and dropped it down a tunnel 🍾

In 1962, British Waterways officially closed the Dudley Tunnel. Plans were already drawn up to seal it off forever - to bury this incredible piece of history under an embankment. But Cliff Sherwood wasn't having it.

He wrote a message. "If you want to do something about the mines, meet me at the pub." Rolled it up, tucked it into a bottle, and left it hidden in the darkness.

Months later, Vic Smallshire found it. He unrolled that note in the pitch black, read those words, and reached out to Cliff. They met and organised together. And because a teenager refused to let history disappear, a grassroots movement began that would eventually save this place and bring it back to life.

https://dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/

Halloween's coming to the caverns and you'll want to be here for it 🎃The Missing Magic is running every evening from Mon...
22/09/2026

Halloween's coming to the caverns and you'll want to be here for it 🎃

The Missing Magic is running every evening from Monday 26th through to Saturday 31st October.

✨ Boats departing every half hour
✨ 1.5 hours including your 45-minute boat trip, interactive clue trail, spectacular light show and UV carnival party
✨ All ages welcome - from tiny adventurers to grown-ups
✨ Quieter boats on 27th & 29th at 2pm for a calmer experience

Come and join this adventure to save Wilma the Witch's magic ✨

https://dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/events/halloween/

Address

501 Birmingham New Road
Dudley
DY14SB

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

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