LIHS Glenfield Railway Tunnel — Attraction in Blaby

This area and tunnel featured highly as part of my childhood in the 70's. I used to spend many a happy hour hopping from one sleeper (not present now) to the next as my grandfather and I got closer to the tunnel. I recall a huge temperature (this still happens and is enchanting) drop as you neared the tunnel, which at this time was not bricked up and we would see how far we could walk into it seeing a small square of light in the very far distance. Now the concrete steps lead to a footpath and Leicester Road. These steps used to be wooden. You could walk along the upper paths to reach the top of the tunnel. At the bottom on the right hand side near the road, used to stand the disused station and waiting room which I remember was similar in design to the Great Central Loughborough waiting room. My father (92) remembers playing above the tunnel in his childhood and he and his friend would jump into the freight trailer ( not advised) to travel to Desford and then walk home. He and his friend would walk into town through the tunnel (again not advised) and on one occasion, wearing a brand new suit, and walking from Leicester noted the light disappear and had to huddle in the cut outs that are throughout the tunnel as the train went by. Needless to say they were covered with soot, new suit ruined and scared to face going home! You can reach the gated area and experience the temperature change to view the tunnel over locked gates by using the footpath on...

This is a free experience but donations welcomed. Booked online. Greeted with friendly volunteers, bursting with local knowledge and we were lead on an interesting walk along a path that was part of the railway and eventually we arrived at the entrance of the Glenfield Tunnel. Again guided through a quarter of a mile of the mile long tunnel, lots of interesting facts and ended with a little ride onthe miniature railway in the tunnel. Tour lasted about an hour and a half, we found it really interesting and was impressed by the knowledge...

Really interested history, that you are told about and shown by very knowledgeable volunteers. The tunnel itself although impressive when you understand when and how it was made and it's uses, at the end of the day is just a straight line tunnel that you are only able to walk halfway up which is about 1/2 a mile, so there isn't a lot of variation on what you are seeing all tour, but again the volunteer guides are talking and giving you information all the way through. Definitely worth a visit, just to say you've been there...