Tunnel vision among Heritage Open Day events

The two tunnels will be open on Saturday, September 9, and Sunday, September 10, between 10am and 4.30pm on both days.

It will give visitors a chance to walk in the footsteps of millworkers and students of the village during the Victoria era, who used the tunnels built beneath the roads to get to work, or to their studies.

It is the first time the two tunnels, which date back to the 1850s and 1870s, have been accessible to the public in recent times. One of the tunnels runs from Victoria Hall under Exhibition Hall to Shipley College, the other tunnel runs under Victoria Road. No booking is required for the 30-minute tours, but there is no disabled access because the Exhibition Road entrance requires an ascent and descent of little-used stairs. But access to the dining hall tunnel is possible by wheelchair.

Colin Coates, Saltaire History Club chairman, said: “The tunnels are a key part of Saltaire’s heritage. We hope it will help get more people into the history of Saltaire. The tunnels have been used over the years for storage.”

Throughout the country, thousands of free events will take place over four days, from Thursday, September 7. Bradford’s corridors of power will open to the public on September 9 when City Hall will offer free tours between 10am and 4pm, as part of its Sneaky Peek series. The theme of the day is ‘Heroes’ and visitors can tell staff about their own heroes. Visitors can also learn about the history of Bradford City Fire Brigade. Medals from former chief fire officer James Scott, one of the heroes from the explosion at Low Moor Chemical Company in 1916, which killed 40 and injured more than 100 people, will be loaned for the event.

Lower Wyke Moravian Church, Lower Wyke Lane, will be open on Saturday, September 9, between 10am and 4pm, and on Sunday, September 10, between 1pm and 4pm.

David Hockney gallery tours are available at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, on September 10, noon to 3pm.