These days the journey through Harecastle Tunnel takes about 45 minutes. So, having waved the Shaw’s off my companion, historian Steve Birks and I locate Boathorse Lane and head-off for Kidsgrove.

 “The old legging tunnel was a three hours journey giving the boatmen plenty of time to meet their boat while they walked their horses over the top,” explains Steve, “But we’ll have to make haste to be on time for the Shaw’s. I’m fairly certain the lane we’re following is the original one used by the boatmen. In fact a map of 1775 shows it with a reference near to the tunnel entrance saying ‘cut under ground’. I reckon that the mapmaker Yates was aware of the tunnel even though it didn’t open until two years after his map was published. Brindley quite possibly used the road while plotting his land measurements. Perhaps he named it knowing it was going to be the route of the boatmen. But at the time Yates draws it without a name.”

Boathorse Lane leads us through the local authority’s traveller’s park which stands on the site of an old mining village, demolished in the 1960’s, called Linehouses.

“You’ll note the valley rising sharply at this point,” Steve points out. “But as it climbs from the foot of Yeld Hill it gets to be a bit of a haul. Looking from the top you’ll have to guess the line of the tunnel but you might notice an airshaft along the way that stands some distance from the lane giving an indication of the tunnel’s location.”

It’s easy to imagine the immense traffic flow as the drovers weaved in and out of the early coalmines that peppered the area. Some interesting shallow declivities in surrounding fields mark out early bell pit activity. These days the land near the top of the hill is owned by Ravenscliffe House Farm and Green’s abattoir.

airshaft to Brindley's canal tunnel near Woodstock Road

“For some reason the lane was changed to Acres Wood Road at this point as it winds through the land contours descending into Kidsgrove,” says Steve. “As you pass Woodstock Road you will see an airshaft on the right about 150 metres into a field. That’s the true tunnel line.”

Steve Birks walks along Boathorse Road past the Rifleman pub

The journey from the Rifleman is all downhill, past the entrance to Bathpool where the name Acres Wood curiously changes back to Boathorse Lane. Beneath the modern streets the ancient paths can be imagined peeking from a bygone age in a town where beauty once collided with industry. Bay-willow and aspen challenge oak and silver-birch for territorial advantage as the lane forfeits ground to Kidsgrove’s high streets. Here our road turns towards the railway station where the canal emerges from its one-and-half-mile subterranean journey. And we’re just in time to meet the Shaw family. Even though it’s a warm spring day I notice the quartet’s pale-faced shivering looks. So, did they see the boggart?

“No, it was just that blooming cold!” exclaims Nigel. Janine looks perished as well, wrapped tightly in her weatherproof anorak. “It was cold and damp and to some extent a bit boring,” she complains, “But it was an interesting experience.”