Ouseburn Trust

Name: Ouseburn Trust
Address: 51 Lime Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ, GB
Telephone: 0191 261 6596
Price range: From £5

Newcastle upon Tyne

Courtesy of Ouseburn Trust

ENTRY

from £5

WHERE

Newcastle upon Tyne

What it’s like

Guided tours through a Second World War air raid shelter tunnel under Newcastle, with brewery and heritage walks alongside.

You go underground here, into the Victoria Tunnel, and spend an hour and a quarter or two hours (depending which tour you pick) hearing how it was built and how it served as an air raid shelter. That's the bit a child will remember, the limewashed walls and the cold, not the dates on a plaque. The tunnel sits at a constant 12 degrees whatever's happening above ground, so it's actually a decent wet-weather option, though you'll want a jacket you don't mind getting a bit grubby and flat shoes rather than anything smart.

It suits older children better than toddlers in a buggy. That's not a policy choice so much as a physical one: the tunnel's only 6'3" high, and prams and wheelchairs can't get past the first 50 yards because of the original blast walls. If that's going to be a problem, they do offer a virtual version of the tunnel as a stand-in. Every under-16 needs an adult with them throughout, no exceptions.

Booking is not optional. Capacity's tight and tickets are non-refundable once bought. One thing that softens the sting a bit: your ticket doubles as a 12-month annual pass. Beyond the tunnel there are Ouseburn heritage walks and brewery tours if you fancy stretching the visit into a proper afternoon out in the area.

School groups are catered for separately, up to 36 children at £5 each, split into two groups if there are more than 18, with two adults required per group and supervisors going free.

Facilities

Booking required

Need to know

Best for: School-age children rather than toddlers; buggies can't go far in
Booking: Annual pass holders can return within 12 months at no extra cost by booking a free 'Annual Pass Holder | Return Visit' ticket
Parking: Street parking, Foundry Lane and Spillers Car Park 40p/hour up to 4 hours
Pushchairs: Prams and buggies cannot go beyond 50 yards into the tunnel due to World War Two blast walls
Wheelchairs: Level access throughout tunnel but wheelchairs, prams and buggies cannot go beyond 50 yards in due to World War Two blast walls
Getting there by bus or train: Central Station 20-minute walk or 11-minute cycle

Tickets are non-refundable and can't be transferred once bought, so double-check your date before booking
Every child 15 or under must have an adult with them the whole way round
Ouseburn Arches car park charges £1 for the first hour then 80p an hour, with all-day tickets sold in person nearby
There's also a virtual Victoria Tunnel experience if the physical tour won't work for your group

Plan your visit

Do we need to book ahead?

Yes, and it's not really optional here. Capacity is strictly limited so you have to book your tour slot in advance rather than turning up.

Is it suitable for a toddler or a buggy?

Not really. Prams, buggies and wheelchairs can't go more than 50 yards into the tunnel because of wartime blast walls still in place, though there's a virtual tunnel experience as an alternative.

What should we wear?

A warm jacket you don't mind washing and flat, sturdy shoes. The tunnel stays at 12 degrees year-round and the walls are limewashed, so things can get a bit grubby.

How long does a visit take?

Tours run at 1¼ hours or 2 hours, so pick based on how long your group can hold their focus underground.

Can we come back another time?

Your ticket works as a 12-month annual pass, so you can book a free return visit for another tour within a year of your original date.

Can school groups visit?

Yes, up to 36 children per visit at £5 each, split into two groups over 18 children, with two accompanying adults required per group and supervisors free.