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Victoria Tunnel

Experience the sounds of a wartime air raid and follow your guides underground to discover the Tunnel's role as a colliery waggon-way.  Listen out for the oncoming coal waggons!

The Victoria Tunnel is a place of many stories; an award winning attraction (The Journal's best small visitor attraction) and is one of the most satisfying 'Things to do in Newcastle'. In September 2012, the tunnel featured in the BBC series 'How We Won the War' - please click here for programme information. The tunnel was also features in BBC 2's programme 'Dan Snow's History of the Railway' on 15th January 2013.

Tours are available every week throughout the year, See the list of available dates, book a tour and then step inside wartime Newcastle and follow in the footsteps of the people who spent many nights sheltering from bombing raids on the city. Go on your own journey of discovery to learn how tough life was during WW2, listen for the air-raid warning and the sound of planes passing overhead dropping their bombs and memories of people who lived through the dreadful period in Newcastle's history. See the rough wooden replica beds and benches, just like those slept or sat on, by frightened citizens during bombing raids. And visit the WW2 crucifix (look but don't touch it!) and see if you can identify the people named in the roll of honour. You may also be interested to hear about the sightings of a ghost seen in the Victoria Tunnel by visitors from a 'Paranormal' group!!

Also experience life in a Victorian waggonway, learn how it was constructed and listen out for the wagons full of coal heading for the Tyne. Be brave, listen to the 'Ghostly' Story of William Coulson's death and be aware as you hear the approaching waggons heading towards you through the tunnel in the pitch black darkness.

There is an audio CD of wartime memories of the tunnel availble from the Trust, a taster version is here

In 2010 the Ouseburn Trust took over the administration of this unique underground coal waggonway and WWII air raid shelter. It is now a 'Visitor Attraction' and we run five regular tunnel tours each week throughout the year on Thursdays at 6.30 pm; Fridays at 10.30 am and 1.30 pm; Saturdays at 10 am and 1 pm (plus some weeks at 3.30 pm; and some Sundays at 1 pm.

Special tours can be arranged on other days and times, if you wish to organise a private tour for eight or more people, but please give a minimum of two weeks' notice.

Because of the confined space in the tunnel, tours are limited to 12 people and booking is therefore essential. When we receive your booking, we will confirm it by email, normally within three days for you to print off and show it to the guide on your tour. Unless specified on the confirmation, tours start at The Ouseburn Farm (next to The Cluny on Lime Street, bottom of Stepney Bank) and the tour then proceeds by foot to the tunnel entrance via The Riverside Walk.

If, when we receive your booking, places on the tour(s) of your choice are not available we will advise you of alternative tour date(s). If urgent bookings are required please call 0191 2616596.

For all tours, you must pre-book and be in possesssion of a valid confirmation to show to the guides.

Tour availability can be found here.

To arrange a visit, please complete our online booking form or call us on 0191 2616596. Booking office closed untilTuesday 7th May.

Why not treat your friends and family to a Victoria Tunnel tour? For information about Gift Vouchers, please click here.

If you need to telephone us, please do so during office hours 10 to 5 pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or send an email to clive.goodwin@ouseburntrust.org.uk and give details of the time and date of the tour you would like to book and the number of people you want to reserve places for. And we will get back to you as soon as possible to arrange details of your tour.

Please book at least a week in advance of the date of your intended tour, however if you are a visitor to Newcastle and are unable to give a week's notice please telephone 0191 2616596 and we will try to fit you into our programme for the date you require, but please note that may not always be possible.

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