Walk The Rhondda Tunnel
We expect to be able to offer a small number of visits to the Tunnel from spring onwards. (To apply, please complete the visit application form below).
On a visit, you will climb down the Blaencwm air shaft, 10.5m deep, attached to a safety line. You will then go through a horizontal pipe 4.5m long 60cm wide, (used as an overflow drain), on a skateboard into the tunnel proper. You will walk the length of the tunnel to the Blaengwynfi air shaft, escorted by experienced members of our team so that you will be able to see and appreciate the skill and drive that went into building this route to the sea for Rhondda coal.
Along the route, you will see
- The original signals
- A coal seam
- The cog built to protect the tunnel, but now quite useless,
- Its sole air shaft
- Sections where the bare pennant sandstone has been faulted
- One of the earliest uses of concrete in a tunnel
And be able to
- take memorable photographs
- stand at one point, 1000ft below ground
- cut your own small piece of Welsh coal direct from the coal seam to take home as a souvenir
Before entry you will receive a safety briefing.
Additional track key souvenir
As an additional souvenir of the visit, you will be given a limited-edition laser-etched track key that was used to attach the rails to the sleepers in the tunnel.
The cost of the visit is £250 per person, all of which goes towards the cost of exposing the Blaencwm portal as a first stage towards re-opening the tunnel to become the world’s longest continuously open walking/cycling tunnel.
Due to the manner of entry/exit and the fact that you will walk almost 4 miles, entrants will need to be reasonably fit and not claustrophobic. You will need to complete a basic fitness assessment form before selection is confirmed.
If you are interested, please complete our visit application form below.
Complete this form to request your visit
Please note: all guests must be age 12 and over and fit enough to walk a total of 4 miles on bare railway trackbed with short lengths ankle-deep in water. We keep in touch with the surface by telephone during the visit. There is a choice of two scheduled tunnel visits per day – one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. Guests are requested to arrive by either 8:30am or noon depending on their choice of visit. All visitors must be members of the Rhondda Tunnel Society (£15 for adults to join).
The cost of the visit is £250 per person, all of which goes to help re-open the tunnel. This needs to be paid in advance once a day & time have been agreed for your group.
Safety helmet and lights will be provided. You will need to wear waterproof ankle length boots. Clothing may get soiled therefore “older” jeans/trousers and full arm length tops are advised. The temperature in the tunnel is a constant 15/16 degrees C.
We might have to postpone the visit at short notice after heavy rain.
Gift Aid
The £250 visit fee is a charitable donation; therefore it is eligible for possible Gift Aid. UK Gift Aid is a government scheme allowing charities to reclaim basic rate tax (20%) on donations from UK taxpayers, boosting the value of gifts by 25% at no extra cost to the donor. For example, a £1 donation becomes £1.25.
The Rhondda Tunnel Society is a Registered Charity and as such, qualifies for Gift Aid.
By ticking the Gift Aid box on the application form you are agreeing to the following statement.
“I am a UK taxpayer and I would like the Rhondda Tunnel Society to reclaim the tax on all qualifying donations I have made, as well as any future donations, until I notify them otherwise.
I understand that if I pay less income / capital gains tax than the amount of gift aid claimed on all my donations in the tax year in which they are received, it is my responsibility to pay any difference.”
Please remember to let us know of any changes to your tax status including changes to your name or address or if you need to cancel this agreement.