Glenfield Tunnel- Over the Top

Preview Steps

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• Step 1: This walk starts on Jowett Close in New Parks. Tap on the icon in the bottom left corner to swap between map and text view.

• Step 2: This walk passes through the housing estates of New Parks and Glenfield, which were built over the top of the historic Glenfield Tunnel. For a more detailed story, check out the Glenfield Tunnel video on choosehowyoumove.co.uk

• Step 3: The Leicester to Swannington railway line was completed in 1832 to transport coal from the Leicestershire coalfields in the north-west of the county.

• Step 4: The biggest obstacle to building the railway was the ridge extending from Gilroes to Glenfield village, which required a long tunnel to be constructed: Glenfield Tunnel.

• Step 5: When Glenfield Tunnel opened in 1832 it was the longest steam railway tunnel in the world at just over 1 mile long. The tunnel remained in use for 130 years.

• Step 6: The walk starts on Jowett Close. You will see there is an area of green space, near to some bungalows. Through the trees is the last house in Copeland Avenue.

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