Tunnel Walks
Explore the 100-year-old Mail Rail tunnels on foot and discover one of London’s best-kept secrets.
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 the provided high visibility jacket and hard hat for the walk. This protective equipment is mandatory.
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. Please read through our FAQs below for further access information before your visit.
Visitor, April 2024
Absolutely super. Our guide was top notch. All three generations enjoyed it enormously.
Visitor, April 2024
It was a very interesting and fun experience with knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Visitor, June 2024
This was a fun adventure, and we can’t wait to come back.
Did you know… current and former postal workers can join us for an exclusive Postal Workers Tunnel Tour?
Buy a Tunnel Walk as a gift
Treat your loved one to an experience they’ll never forget! Get them a Gift Voucher to explore the Mail Rail tunnels.
Buy your Gift Voucher online and print it at home. They are redeemable for up to 1 year after purchase. Learn more about the Voucher Terms and Conditions.
FAQs
Access information
The route involves walking on uneven ground in low-light conditions and involves stepping across rails and up onto platform areas. The route is around 1.2km (0.75 miles) and the experience lasts approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Tunnel Walks are for ages 12+ only.
As the experience presents some barriers to access, please contact us if you are unsure if it will meet your specific access requirements and we will be happy to help. You can also contact us if you would like to request an essential companion ticket to support your visit by emailing [email protected] or calling +44 (0)300 0300 700.
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]
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Support a Sleeper
Want to see your name on one of our Mail Rail sleepers? You can visit your personalised Sleeper on one of our Tunnel Walks. Find out more below.
Learn more
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Why did Mail Rail close?
On 31 May 2003 Mail Rail carried post underneath London for the last time, bringing the operation to end after 76 years. Learn about the events leading up to that day here.
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The Beginnings of The Pneumatic Railway
Senior Curator Julian unveils the history of the revolutionary Victorian invention in a four-part series.
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The story of Mail Rail
Mail Rail transported mail under the streets of London from 1927 to 2003.









