About Us
Dudley Canal Trust -
preserving 420 million years of living history
The Dudley Canal Trust was established in 1970. But its true origins date back many years before then.
About 420 million years, in fact, to the Silurian Age.
During that period, geological evolution created rich limestone and coal seams beneath the West Midlands. These valuable deposits laid the foundations for the Industrial Revolution, when the Black Country became the manufacturing cockpit of the world. And for the spectacular network of underground canal tunnels carved beneath the region to mine the raw materials that powered industrial growth.
Exciting trips through the tunnels
The Dudley Canal Trust was created to protect and preserve the tunnels. Through our subsidiary charity, Dudley Canal Trust (Trips) Ltd., we run regular guided boat trips through the tunnels, accompanied by videos, lifelike reconstructions and stunning music and light shows.
These excursions are fun, informative and entertaining.
And they attract over 80,000 visitors every year.
Any trading surplus is re-invested in maintaining the tunnels and their environment, so visitors can enjoy and appreciate 420 million years of living history long into the future.
The History of Dudley Canal Trust
Dudley Canal Trust actually came into being in 1970. But the organisation’s origins date back to 1963 when the Dudley Canal Tunnel Preservation Society was formed to spearhead attempts to protect the tunnel.
This campaign was successful, and in 1970 the Society became the Dudley Canal Trust. We have been instrumental in many key developments since then, including:-
• The reopening of Parkhead Locks to form a through route in 1973
• In 1984, with Grant Aid assistance, the building of the first new tunnel for 126 years, connecting with the Singing Cavern
• The completion of yet another tunnel in 1989, allowing our passenger boats to offer a unique underground round trip.
All our staff were volunteers, and by this time they were very stretched. So Dudley Canal Trips Ltd. – a registered Charity no. 514219 – was created to oversee our passenger boat trips, and ensure that our catering and shop sales operations were run professionally. Today we welcome over 80,000 visitors every year, and any trading surplus is used to maintain the tunnels and their environment.
View a timeline of the history of the tunnel here
