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

The north and south portals of Toadmoor Tunnel are a pair of tunnel entrances built between 1836 and 1840 for the North Midland Railway by George and Robert Stephenson along with Frederick Swanwick. They are constructed from ashlar and quarry-faced Derbyshire gritstone and are located in a cutting.

The south portal features an elliptical arch made of alternately recessed and projecting ashlar voussoirs that extend into the spandrels. On either side, there are raked piers made of coursed and squared quarry-faced gritstone with punched quoins. The upper course of these piers steps forward to support a bold roll moulding that runs above the arch. At the top, there is a low parapet made of one large punched course, which, along with the roll moulding, serves as a cornice to finish the structure.

The north portal has a semi-elliptical arch composed of rusticated ashlar voussoirs and a projecting keystone. This arch is supported by slightly projecting imposts, with the spandrels also made of rusticated ashlar. Beneath the imposts are concave quarry-faced walls that continue the elliptical shape. On either side of the arch, there are projecting rusticated ashlar piers and heavily recessed quarry-faced wing walls. Above the arch ring, a single ashlar course truncates the voussoirs, accompanied by a moulded string course that forms a cornice. Set back from this is a parapet made of one large ashlar course, which wraps around to cap the wing walls.

Please note that the tunnel lining is not included in the listing.