Boating Santas

IN ADDITION to the many boating Santas' around the waterways, there are regular underground trips up to Christmas in the Dudley Tunnel.

Dudley Canal Trust is hosting the trips every half hour this weekend the 11th and 12, and the 18th and 19th, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Cinderella

During the trip families will travel by narrowboat into the decorated caverns in the tunnel to watch the pantomime Cinderella being performed in the Singing Cavern.

Children can join in the singing with Cinderella and Buttons as they try and get to Santa's Christmas ball, before the boat continues through the illuminated tunnel in the search for Santa travelling.

Over an hour

The trip lasts over an hour and visitors should use the Canal Trust's Birmingham New Road entrance. Tickets cost £9.20 per person, which includes a gift for every child and a mince pie and drink for the adults.

Participants are advised to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their departure time and to wear warm waterproof clothing as the boats are open.

Though similar trips are normally also arranged in Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, this year we have had no intimation that these are taking place.