Victoria Tunnel, Railway tunnel beneath Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
The Victoria Tunnel is a railway tunnel running under Newcastle upon Tyne, constructed with stone and brick in a sturdy arched design. The passage extends roughly 3.9 kilometers and sits at varying depths beneath the city streets.
Built between 1839 and 1842 by roughly 200 workers, the tunnel was designed to move coal from the Leazes Main Colliery to riverside loading docks. This project marked a turning point in how Newcastle transported its coal resources.
The tunnel got its name from an 1842 opening ceremony featuring coal wagons and a procession through the streets above. This reflected how important coal mining was to Newcastle's identity at that time.
Guided tours allow visitors to walk through around 700 meters of the tunnel, with tours starting from the Ouse Street entrance. Parking is available nearby at the Cycle Hub.
During World War II, the tunnel served as an air raid shelter for up to 9,000 people, complete with bunks, lighting, and reinforced concrete walls. This transformation shows how civilian spaces were repurposed during wartime bombing campaigns.
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