Tunnel Walks

Tuesdays / 15.00 - 19:00

Mail Rail at The Postal Museum

Booking required
£60 per person
For ages 12+ only

Book now

Explore the 100-year-old Mail Rail tunnels on foot and discover one of London’s best-kept secrets.

The Tunnel Walks tour guide explains the history of the Mail Rail to engaged visitors, stood on the Mail Rail platform — Walk along the Mail Rail platform as the Postal workers did for decades.

People in high visibility jackets and hard hats underground on the Tunnel Walks — Feel free to take pictures as you get up close and personal with the 100-year-old abandoned tunnels.

A couple of tour goers are crouching down to see into the 'train graveyard'. The graveyard is out of shot, but the eery blue lighting which lights up the space is creeping into the shot. — Don't miss the 'train graveyard'!

Happy tour-goers are laughing at something Warwick, the tour guide said. — Learn all about the interesting history of Mail Rail from our experienced tour guides.

Warwick the tour guides leads tour-goes, wearing high-vis jackets and hard hards, down the cramped Mail Rail tunnel. Some visitors have to duck so they don't hit their heads. — Mind your step! Walk along the train tracks - don't worry, Mail Rail doesn't run when the tunnel walks are happening.

We can see the tour-goes descending down the Mail Rail tunnel, wearing their protective gear. — Walk deep underground on a route that you don't get full access to when riding Mail Rail.

What to expect

Get access to Mail Rail’s tunnels, tracks and platforms, exploring parts of the railway that aren’t accessible on the Mail Rail ride.

Expert guides tell the surprising stories about the staff who built, operated and maintained the underground railway over the course of 100 years – from its construction in the early 1900s, through the heyday in the middle of the century, to the eventual closure in 2003.

Visitors will need to wear a high visibility jacket and a hard hat for the walk. This protective equipment is mandatory.

Please read through our FAQs below before your visit!

Festive Tunnel Walks

When: 21, 28 November & 5, 12 & 19 December

These special tours follow the same route, but access a small section of the tunnels not usually on the walking route, to reveal a surprising festive scene.

Visitor, May 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed the experience and superb guide, loads of information and knowledge, great delivery and technical information and happy to answer questions.

Visitor, March 2023
Absolutely fantastic. The chap that ran the tour was so passionate about the tunnels. He took his time to answer any question, was informative and made the whole experience really enjoyable.

Visitor, January 2023
Tour was excellent.

FAQs

Access information

The route involves walking on uneven ground in low-light conditions for around 1.2km (0.75 miles) including stepping across rails and up onto platform areas. For this reason, the walk is not accessible by wheelchair users and is not recommended for people with mobility impairments. Tunnel Walks are for ages 12+ only.

If you’re unsure if this event is suitable for you, please contact [email protected] before booking your tickets.

How long is the walk?

The walk is approximately 1.2km. You will be in the tunnels for approximately 1 hour and 15mins.

Will there be toilets available?

There will be toilets available at the start and end of your visit. There are no toilets throughout the duration of the walk.

Can I take food and drink with me on the walk?

You can bring a small water bottle with you on the walk, but please don’t bring any food. We ask that you place any bags in our provided lockers at the start of the walk, do speak to our hosts on arrival if there are any items you feel you can’t part with and we can try and help.

How cold is it in the tunnels?

You’d be surprised at how temperate the tunnels are – even in the winter! Most guests won’t need to wrap up warm for the walk – you can leave any extra layers in the provided lockers.

Can I cancel my ticket if I change my mind?

Tickets are non-refundable unless the museum cancels the tour due to unforeseen circumstances. In this case, you will be given the option to move your ticket to the next available date, or receive a refund.

Can I visit The Postal Museum and Mail Rail exhibitions?

The Postal Museum and Mail Rail exhibitions are closed when Tunnel Walks take place. We encourage interested visitors to come back and visit during open hours.

Can I bring a group on a tour or book a private tour?

You are welcome to book out an entire timeslot for a group if it is available. There are 10 tickets per tour – you would need to purchase all 10 tickets for the tour to be dedicated to your group.

If you have fewer than 10 people in your group, you can book the relevant number of tickets and other members of the public will be free to book the rest of the slots.

If you have a group larger than 10, or would like to discuss a private tour on another day of the week, please contact our Events team with your requirements: [email protected]