North and south portals of Toadmoor Tunnel (SPC 8 44 P1 and SPC8 44 P2)

Pair of tunnel portals, built 1836-40 for the North Midland Railway by George and Robert Stephenson with Frederick Swanwick.

MATERIALS: ashlar and quarry-faced Derbyshire gritstone.

DESCRIPTION: the portals are situated in a cutting. The south portal has an elliptical arch consisting of alternately recessed and projecting ashlar voussoirs, which radiate out into the spandrels. Projecting on either side are raked piers formed of coursed and squared quarry-faced gritstone with punched quoins. The upper course of the piers steps forward to support a bold roll moulding running above the arch. Surmounting it is a low parapet of one large punched course which, together with the roll moulding, acts as a cornice to terminate the structure.

The north portal has a semi-elliptical arch consisting of rusticated ashlar voussoirs and a projecting keystone. The arch is supported by slightly projecting imposts. The spandrels are of rusticated ashlar. Beneath the imposts are concave quarry-faced walls, which continue the ellipse. On either side of the arch are projecting rusticated ashlar piers and heavily recessed quarry-faced wing walls. Above the arch ring is a single ashlar course, truncating the voussoirs, and a moulded string course forming a cornice. Set back from this is a parapet formed of one large ashlar course, which continues round to surmount the wing walls.

The tunnel lining is not included in the listing.