Do you need to book a tour in advance for Victoria Tunnel

Victoria Tunnel, Newcastle upon Tyne

Tunnel in Newcastle upon Tyne

ouseburntrust / ouseburntrust

Hidden beneath the streets of Newcastle upon Tyne, the Victoria Tunnel runs for 2.5 miles from the Town Moor down to the River Tyne, a remarkable survival from the city's industrial heyday. Built between 1839 and 1842 to transport coal from Leazes Main Colliery at Spital Tongues to the riverside staithes, it is now one of the top attractions in Newcastle upon Tyne for anyone fascinated by engineering, social history and atmospheric underground spaces.

Today, volunteer-led tours take you through a 700-metre level section, where you can walk in the footsteps of miners, waggon-men and Second World War civilians who once sheltered here during air raids. The stories you hear and the echoes underfoot make it feel very immediate and surprisingly moving, and because the tunnel sits close to the Ouseburn and city-centre sights, it is often visited on walking tours of Newcastle upon Tyne that explore the city from multiple angles.

History and Significance of the Victoria Tunnel
Things to See and Do in the Victoria Tunnel
How to Get to the Victoria Tunnel
Practical Tips on Visiting the Victoria Tunnel
Where to Stay close to the Victoria Tunnel
Is the Victoria Tunnel Worth Visiting
FAQs for Visiting Victoria Tunnel
Nearby Attractions to the Victoria Tunnel

History and Significance of the Victoria Tunnel

The Victoria Tunnel began life as a practical solution to a very specific problem: how to move coal efficiently from the Leazes Main Colliery at Spital Tongues down to the Tyne for export. Between 1839 and 1842 engineers drove the tunnel beneath the city, creating a gravity-powered waggonway where loaded coal wagons descended the incline under their own weight, while empty wagons were hauled back up by a stationary engine via ropes. This clever system cut congestion on surface roads and made Newcastle's coal trade more competitive.

When the colliery closed in 1860, the tunnel fell silent and was largely forgotten, a relic of the coal age that lay unused beneath the growing city. Its second life began on the eve of the Second World War, when authorities recognised that this long, deep tunnel could be adapted into an air-raid shelter. Sections were fitted out with benches, bunk beds and basic facilities, and thousands of local residents took refuge here during raids, bringing food, blankets and snippets of daily life underground.

In the decades after the war the tunnel slipped back into obscurity, but renewed interest from local historians, the council and community groups led to surveys, conservation work and eventually public access via guided tours. Today, it stands as a powerful reminder of both Newcastle’s industrial innovation and the resilience of its people in wartime, preserving layers of history that you can literally walk through.

Things to See and Do in the Victoria Tunnel

The core experience at Victoria Tunnel is the two-hour, volunteer-led guided tour. After a safety briefing and fitting of hard hats, you follow your guide into a 700-metre section of the tunnel, lit just enough to keep things atmospheric without feeling unsafe. Along the way you hear stories about how the coal waggonway operated, see original features like drainage channels and brickwork, and learn how the tunnel's gradient and alignment were designed for the flow of wagons.

As the tour shifts into the wartime era, you encounter recreated sections of the air-raid shelter with bunks and benches, helping you imagine what it was like for families to spend long nights down here while bombs fell overhead. Guides often share personal memories or testimonies from local residents who used the tunnel, which brings a human warmth to the cool, echoing space. The combination of industrial engineering and social history makes the visit feel much richer than a simple underground walk.

Above ground, you can pair your tunnel visit with a wander through the Ouseburn Valley, exploring its pubs, cafés, creative spaces and riverside paths. Many visitors like to make a half-day of it, booking a tour, then lingering in the neighbourhood for a drink or meal while they process what they have seen. If you enjoy photography, there are also good opportunities for atmospheric exterior shots at the tunnel entrances and around the industrial architecture of Ouseburn.

How to Get to the Victoria Tunnel

If you are travelling from outside the region, Newcastle International Airport is your most convenient gateway, with regular domestic and European flights and a direct Metro line into the city centre in under half an hour. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Newcastle upon Tyne on Booking.com. From the airport you can ride the Metro to Central Station, Monument or Jesmond and then connect by bus or on foot towards the Ouseburn area where the tunnel tours begin.

Arriving by train, you will come into Newcastle Central Station, a major stop on the East Coast Main Line with fast services from London, Edinburgh, York and other cities.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the station you can either walk (around 20-25 minutes) through the city and down into Ouseburn, or take a short bus or taxi ride if you prefer to save your energy for the tour.

If you decide to drive, follow signs into Newcastle and then towards Ouseburn or Byker, where you will find a mix of on-street and small car parks within walking distance of the tour meeting point. Once parked, it is easy to explore the tunnel and then continue on foot around the valley, where distances between pubs, cafés and riverside paths are pleasantly compact.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Victoria Tunnel

Suggested tips: Book your tour well in advance, especially at weekends or during school holidays, and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and a light layer you do not mind getting a bit dusty.
Best time to visit: Tours run year-round and the tunnel stays cool and slightly damp in all seasons, making it a great option on hot or rainy days when you want an unusual indoor experience.
Entrance fee: Adults: £15.00 (1 hour tour)
Opening hours: Our eight regular two-hour tours are

Mondays at 1.30pm
Wednesdays at 1.30pm
Thursdays at 6.30 pm;
Fridays at 10.30 am and 1.30 pm;
Saturdays at 10 am and 1 pm;
Sundays at 1 pm

Shorter one-hour tours at weekends

Saturday at 4pm
Sunday at 11am and 4pm
Official website: https://www.ouseburntrust.org.uk/victoria-tunnel
How long to spend: Allow at least 2.5-3 hours in total to cover check-in, the two-hour tour and a little extra time before or after to explore Ouseburn.
Accessibility: The tunnel environment includes low ceilings, uneven floors and confined spaces, so it may not be suitable for all visitors; check access information carefully if you have mobility issues, claustrophobia or other health concerns.
Facilities: Basic facilities are available at the meeting point above ground, but there are no toilets or cafés inside the tunnel itself; nearby pubs and venues in Ouseburn are good for pre- or post-tour stops.
Photography tip: Photography rules underground can vary, but if allowed, focus on details like brickwork, shadows and the curve of the tunnel rather than flash-lit snapshots; outside, capture the contrast between the quiet entrance and the lively Ouseburn streets.
Guided tours: Tours are led by knowledgeable volunteers who balance safety information with engaging stories, so come with questions - they are usually happy to share extra details about mining, wartime life and local legends.
Nearby food options: Ouseburn and neighbouring areas like Shieldfield and the lower end of Jesmond have plenty of pubs, cafés and eateries, making it easy to turn your visit into a full afternoon or evening out.

Where to Stay close to the Victoria Tunnel

Staying near Victoria Tunnel gives you easy access not just to the tours but also to the creative, slightly bohemian feel of Ouseburn and nearby Jesmond and city-centre districts. For a comfortable base within walking distance, Holiday Inn Newcastle Jesmond offers modern rooms and good transport links, making it easy to reach both the tunnel and central Newcastle. If you prefer to be closer to the river and city centre while still within a short taxi or bus ride of Ouseburn, INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle combines contemporary design with riverside views. Budget-conscious travellers might like Kabannas Newcastle, a hostel-style option in the city centre that keeps you within reach of the tunnel, the Quayside and most of the main sights.

Is the Victoria Tunnel Worth Visiting

If you enjoy getting under the skin of a city rather than just skimming the surface, Victoria Tunnel is absolutely worth visiting. It offers a rare chance to step into the infrastructure that powered Newcastle's coal boom and then sheltered its people during wartime, all in one evocative underground journey. Because access is only by guided tour, the experience feels intimate and well curated, with stories and details you would never pick up just walking the streets above. For many visitors, it ends up being one of the must-see places in Newcastle upon Tyne precisely because it is so different from more conventional attractions.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.9 (622)

Victoria Tunnel Tours offers guided visits to a 19th-century underground wagonway later used as a WWII air-raid shelter at Ouseburn Valley, 51 Lime St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2PQ; visitors praise the volunteer guides for being knowledgeable, enthusiastic and personable, making the history vivid and memorable, and many recommend the longer two-hour tour for a fuller experience, noting the tunnel feels airy rather than claustrophobic—just be aware some visitors have asked for cleaner helmets.

Peace Aribisala

a week ago

"Absolutely outstanding experience – made by the guides The Victoria Tu els tour was worth every pe y, and that’s almost entirely down to the guides,Pete and Graham. Their depth of knowledge was exceptional — not just rehearsed facts, but real historical context, stories, and answers to questions that clearly came from years of genuine interest and research. What really stood out is that they are volunteers. Despite that, the professionalism, enthusiasm, and care they brought to the tour exceeded many paid attractions I’ve been to. They didn’t just walk us through the tu els — they transformed the experience, making the history feel vivid, human, and memorable. You can tell they care deeply about preserving and sharing the site’s history, and that passion carries the entire tour. If you’re on the fence, book it. And if you do, hope you get Pete and Graham — they make it unforgettable...."

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zeynep guclu

6 months ago

"It was an amazing experience for us. We preferred the 2 hours tour. Our guide was incredibly entertaining and very knowledgeable. You don’t realizehow time flies. You have an unforgettable experience while learning about the history of the tu el. I am usually uncomfortable with closed spaces, but the tu el is very airy. If you don’t have a very severe illness ( strong claustrophobia), I recommend this very impressive experience...."

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Akosua Ford

a month ago

"Interesting tour. I have lived in Newcastle for 6 years and this tour taught me a lot. I would recommend it. The guides (I think one was calledDavid) were great and super knowledgeable. Only feedback I would give is to please clean inside the helmets provided. I had to give mine a clean because it obviously had never been cleaned...."

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FAQs for Visiting Victoria Tunnel

Yes, places on tours are limited and the tunnel can only be visited with a guide, so advance booking is strongly recommended, especially at weekends and during holidays.

Nearby Attractions to the Victoria Tunnel

Ouseburn Valley: A creative, riverside neighbourhood of pubs, music venues, galleries and studios that pairs perfectly with an underground tour.
The Quayside: Walk downriver to enjoy the Tyne Bridges, historic buildings and lively waterfront bars and restaurants.
Great North Museum Hancock: A free museum showcasing natural history, Ancient Egypt and an excellent Hadrian's Wall gallery near the city centre.
Newcastle Castle: Explore the medieval Castle Keep and Black Gate for panoramic views over the Tyne and a deep dive into the city's early history.
Jesmond Dene: A picturesque wooded valley park a short distance away, ideal for a peaceful walk after the enclosed atmosphere of the tunnel.

The Victoria Tunnel appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Newcastle upon Tyne!

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