Dudley Canal & Caverns

Dudley

Book Dudley Canal & Caverns tickets & journey deep into 428 million years of underground history

Climb aboard Dudley's canal boats and discover a hidden world beneath the Black Country! Explore ancient limestone caverns, twisting tunnels, glowing light shows and a landscape shaped across millions of years.

  • Explore a magical underground world dating back 428 million years
  • Float through vast caverns, secret basins & the second-longest navigable canal tunnel in the UK
  • Experience spectacular sound & light shows deep inside historic limestone caves
  • Learn about fossils, geology and mining history brought to life by expert skippers
  • Perfect indoor/outdoor adventure for families, explorers & history lovers

Venture 70ft beneath the surface into Dudley’s incredible limestone caverns with expert guides

  • The Underground Experience Tour: A 45‑minute guided boat trip running Wednesday - Sunday, taking you through winding tunnels, echoing caverns and ancient basins. Features light shows, mining recreations, and stories spanning 428 million years. The most popular trip at Dudley Canal & Caverns
  • Time Travel Rescue Event: A special seasonal boat adventure where families board a “floating time machine” and travel back 420 million years on a dinosaur-themed mission. Featuring immersive sound & light shows, fossil zones, basins, and an interactive Explorer Lab for hands-on activities. Perfect for a dramatic, story-driven underground journey. 
  • Location: Dudley Canal & Caverns, 501 Birmingham New Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 4SB

Discover Dudley’s caverns & hidden waterways - float through vast caverns, secret basins & the second-longest navigable canal tunnel in the UK

Join Dudley Canal & Caverns experts at Dudley Canal Trust and discover how ancient tropical seabeds formed fossils, see dramatic cavern light show, and explore tunnels once carved by miners - now transformed into one of the UK’s most unique boat‑based attractions. 

From echoing chambers to peaceful underground waterways, every moment reveals new stories of geology, industry and time itself - all located in the heart of the Black Country. 

  • Journey through twisting tunnels and awe‑inspiring caverns carved across millions of years 
  • See spectacular sound, light and mining reconstructions throughout the voyage
  • Learn about limestone, fossils and the region’s industrial past with expert commentary
  • Experience themed adventures like Time Travel Rescue with dinosaurs, fossils & hands‑on activities
  • Enjoy access to exhibitions, coffee cart, towpath seating & the Portal visitor centre

Book your Dudley Canal & Caverns tickets today and explore the second-longest navigable canal tunnel in the UK!

Location

Dudley Canal and Caverns

The Portal Building,
Birmingham New Rd,
Dudley,
DY1 4SB
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How to find us

Location: Dudley Canal and Caverns, The Portal Building, Birmingham New Rd, Dudley DY1 4SB

  • The nearest train station is Tipton, located approximately a 20‑minute walk from the site.

Several bus routes stop nearby on Tipton Road, just around the corner, including:

  • 24 - Foxyards Estate to Merry Hill via Dudley
  • 229 - Bilston to Dudley via Coseley and Sedgley
  • 311 & 313 - Walsall to Dudley via Wednesbury
  • 610 - Wednesbury to Dudley via Great Bridge and Tipton
Facilities
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transport accessible
  • Food and drink
More Info
Are Dudley Canal and Caverns wheelchair accessible?

Dudley Canal and Caverns building is completely wheelchair accessible via a lift within the building or outdoor ramped path.

  • Dudley Canal and Caverns have an accessible boat with a platform lift. 
  • If you are a wheelchair user, please give the team a call on 0121 557 6265 so that they can ensure that the wheelchair space is reserved for you.
Are Dudley Canal & Caverns dog-friendly?

Only Assistance Dogs are allowed in the building and on the boats. There is a dog friendly garden and seating area, along with benches outside the building and on the car parks.

Is there food and drink at Dudley Canal and Caverns?

Dudley Canal & Caverns is host to a canal‑side café called The Gongoozler, located inside the Dudley Canal Trust Portal building.

  • Choose from a variety of hot and cold food, drinks, snacks and sweet treats.
  • Offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options alongside a children's menu. 
  • Overlooks the canals and tunnels  - ideal for relaxing before or after your boat trip. 
  • Indoor and outdoor seating available.
What age are Dudley Canal & Caverns tours suitable for?

Dudley Canal & Caverns is suitable for all ages, with tours appropriate for all visitors. 

  • Standard child tickets apply to ages 3-16 years old. 

For specific age requirements, please check your chosen tour page. 

Will you get cold or claustrophobic in Dudley's canals and caverns?

There are a handful of need-to-know's about the temperature and atmosphere inside the caverns. 

  • The underground temperature stays surprisingly stable all year, thanks to the ground’s natural insulation.
  • Most areas of the caverns remain around 10–14°C, which can feel chilly - especially on hot summer days.
  • Visitors are advised to bring a coat or jacket year‑round, as the cool air can feel cold compared to outside temperatures.
  • During very cold weather, parts of the tunnels may cool further and can even produce spectacular icicle displays.
  • Guests are welcome to bring blankets or cushions to stay cosy during the boat trip.
  • Those who suffer from claustrophobia are encouraged to review the orientation guide beforehand to understand what the underground environment is like.
  • Once the boat enters the tunnel, there is no way to get off until the tour ends, so visitors should be certain they’ll feel comfortable before boarding.

Anyone with concerns is welcome to contact the team before booking for reassurance or guidance.

Choose your adventure

Easter: Time Travel Rescue

Help reunite the lost DINO EGG with its dino parent in one of the most exciting Easter events in Dudley!

See more
From
£15.00
Book now

The Underground Experience

Float 70ft beneath the surface into quiet tunnels shaped by millions of years of geological activity & see rock formations older than the dinosaurs!

See more
From
£13.00
Book now

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