Victoria Tunnel: A memorable journey underground at one of Newcastle’s hidden gems

The Tyne Bridge, Grey's Monument and St. James' Park - all Geordies are familiar with the must-see attractions above ground in Newcastle.

However, how often do you think about what might be below the ground on Tyneside?

Well, just a high as the Tyne Bridge stretches over the Quayside, equidistance below the ground lays the Victoria Tunnel.

A hidden gem in Newcastle, the Tunnel is open to the public for eye-opening guided tours and provides a stunning insight into wartime history.

The entrance to the Victoria Tunnel is tucked away behind an Ouseburn corner, a stone's throw away from the Hotel du Vin.

NewcastleWorld heads over on a February afternoon and is greeted by smiling tour guide Pete.

Pete arms us with a hard hat and strong torch before you being to descend the dripping walls.

Throughout the tour you meander your way through the Tunnel, learning about its journey through history.

The Victoria Tunnel was first built to transport coal from Spital Tongues Colliery to the river in the 19th century.

When war hit Tyneside, its design meant it was perfect to be converted into an air-raid shelter.

Pete tell stories of straight-talking Byker grannies who would rush down first to reserve seats, nurses who would scurry along to treat the wounded and the raunchy reason why lightbulbs are found in the walls.

Part way along the tour you stop off at some wooden bunk beds and seating, replicas from what would have been there during the wars.

You won't want to wait there long, the tiny, hard seats not making for a comfortable resting point - proving a shocking realisation of just how tough conditions must have been when the sirens blared.

There's also a chance to walk underneath Hadrian's Wall, particularly poignant as it celebrates its 1900th birthday in 2021.

Just as the tour is coming to an end and you may think you've got away without any spooks, the lights are cut and the rumbling sound of the coal mines echo around the Tunnel's walls.

Pete tells us about a man who did lose his life down here and the lies around how it happened... and mentions some visitors claim to have felt him haunting the Tunnel.

Despite The Victoria Tunnel being TripAdvisor's Number 1 thing to do in Newcastle, boasting an average review of five stars, it is perhaps still overlooked by many locals.

What is for sure is that after an hour and a half underground, you'll certainly think of what's underneath you, as well as above, in the future.