The Victoria Tunnel is a preserved 19th-century waggonway under Newcastle, stretching from the Town Moor to the Tyne river. It was originally built to transport coal from Spital Tongues (Leazes Main) Colliery to the river and operated between 1842 and the 1860s. The Tunnel was converted in 1939 into an air-raid shelter to protect thousands of Newcastle citizens during World War 2.

Today, you can visit the Victoria Tunnel through guided tours or through the Virtual Victoria Tunnel Experience - an online event which you can watch from the comfort of your home, wherever that may be! As Newcastle's number one on TripAdvisor in 'things to do in Newcastle' for several years in a row, Ouseburn's Victoria Tunnel is something everyone should experience. 

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What can you expect during a Victoria Tunnel tour?

Go on your own journey of discovery!

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 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.

Learn how tough life was during World War Two; listen for the air-raid warning, the sound of planes passing overhead dropping their bombs, and hear the 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. Visit the World War Two crucifix and see if you can identify the people named in the roll of honour.

Victoria Tunnel also holds much fame for its paranormal mysteries including ghost sightings by previous visitors!

During your tour, you’ll also find out which Newcastle landmarks you are walking beneath, including the unique chance to walk underneath Hadrian's Roman Wall.

Find out about special events in the Tunnel

Absolutely the best part of my trip to Newcastle, and there's a fair amount to see!

Tripadvisor, May 2022. 

We booked onto the tour as a family as my mum had wanted to do it for ages. We are all from Newcastle so was great to learn about some of its history. Very interesting and our guide Kev was excellent and had amazing knowledge of the tunnels. Defiantly would recommend!

Tripadvisor, April 2022.

Volunteer Victoria Tunnel tour guides Mal and Mike were terrific and transformed a seemingly dull, drippy, dark (creepy) Victorian tunnel into an hour and a quarter of spellbinding storytelling, historical learning, and plenty of laughter. Even my New York City snob of a husband was entertained and impressed.

Tripadvisor, July 2022

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If you have any questions about tunnel accessibility, what to wear, where you can eat (including special offers on the day of your visit), or anything else, check out the plan your Victoria Tunnel visit' page.

Visiting the tunnel as a school group or private tour

A brief history of the Victoria Tunnel

In 2008, the Victoria Tunnel was carefully repaired and opened for guided tours by Newcastle City Council with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and TyneWear Partnership. Since 2010 the Ouseburn Trust has operated guided tours, with our award-winning volunteer guides. However, the history of the Tunnel goes back many years.

View the Victoria Tunnel timeline as a PDF

Victoria Tunnel's awards and reviews

We visited today with our granddaughters. The Guides were fantastic and interacted with us all. We are from the northeast but learnt a lot more about mining than we thought possible. Our 9-year old had recently studied WW2 so was intrigued and asked loads of questions. I wish we’d known about this sooner as I’m sure we’d be frequent visitors. 

Tripadvisor review, August 2020

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Recognitions

• The Ouseburn Trust and the Victoria Tunnel were shortlisted for the 2020 North East Charity Awards under the 'Outstanding Social Enterprise' category.
• Strongly recommended as Number One Visitor Attraction in Newcastle on Trip Advisor, awarded the Certificate of Excellence for the seven year running and entered in the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame. In 2022 and 2023, the Tunnel was awarded the Traveller's Choice Award and recognised for being in the 10% attractions in the world.
• Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2013 in the North East of England Tourism Awards, and a Bronze Award in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
• Recommended in Rough Guides
• Best Team at 2015 North East Museums Volunteers' Awards
• North East Regional Winner of the Marsh Trust Award for Volunteers and Museum Learning 2017
• Awarded the Sandford Award for 2018-23 and for 2023-28, the quality mark for heritage education
• Featured in the BBC series 'How We Won the War' and 'Dan Snow's History of the Railway'. 
• Host of 'Hitlers Headquarters' performance by Twenty Seven Productions in 2015 and 'Trapped' by Experiential Dance in 2016 and 2017.

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