Inside the incredible apartment built into an old railway tunnel in Yorkshire

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An old railway tunnel in Yorkshire has been converted into an amazing apartment – and you can stay in it overnight.

The Portal is a two-storey studio that’s been built in the mouth of the Butternab Tunnel on the outskirts of Huddersfield.

The owners have added in a winding decked footpath that passes a 30-foot natural waterfall crashing into a pond outside the property.

Visitors are then greeted by a huge arched double-height window built straight into the old stone tunnel.

The outside space at The Portal. Credit: Airbnb

The studio itself is bright and modern, with space for up to four guests between the bedroom and a sofa bed. It’s also pet-friendly.

Outside is a south-facing seating area on the terrace next to the waterfall.

Butternab Tunnel was closed in 1969, but before that it had been part of the Huddersfield to Meltham line.

The owner of The Portal, Stephen Attmere, told the Huddersfield Examiner: “An eccentric millionaire decided to make the blocked southern end of the tunnel into an art studio for his wife and a home cinema was put there in the 90s.

“Fast forward to December 2020 we bought the property and decided to make it more sympathetic to its history, so we got rid of the rainbow arch and tacky art pictures. We have now decided to share it on Airbnb as a self-contained studio.

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“When we saw it we fell in love. At first we were going to turn it into a dance studio but our joiner suggested putting it on Airbnb and we thought it made sense.

“We are surrounded by ancient woodland. There’s a 30-foot waterfall cascading into a pond. It’s like a little bit of heaven. It’s so private and peaceful.”

You can see The Portal on Airbnb here.

Featured image: Airbnb

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