The Victoria Tunnel: the Northern Section

Whilst investigating various rabbit-holes on YouTube recently, I came across an interesting video of a trip down the Victoria Tunnel which runs from Spital Tongues down to Ouse Street near the Tyne. But it wasn't about the southern section (which is, of course, open to the public), but instead concerned the northern section - a several hundred metre stretch that is not open to the public. How interesting!

Anyway, as far as I can make out, the chap in question begins the filming at the northern-most part of the tunnel near to Spital Tongues (and where there used to be a manholed entrance - now sealed). He then walks down under Claremont Road to the Hancock Museum entrance (and a little beyond). Fascinating stuff.

The link to the half-hour video can be found here. 

... And if you would like to go to the source of the chap's blog post, then visit here. You will also find a link to his tour of the southern section here, though it is essentially a ghost-hunting exercise (but still really interesting).

As for that northern section, there is also a short Newcastle Evening Chronicle piece, too, on the topic, which can be found here.

What a strange old piece of hidden Newcastle.

Ouseburn Heritage

For those of you with even a passing interest in the Ouseburn area of Newcastle, then you really need to spend an hour or three on the Ouseburn Trust website. The organisation has been around for nearly 30 years (I remember a certain amount of interaction with it when I ran The North-Easterner Magazine during 1994-2004), and it strives to bring to the public's attention the sheer existence of this uniquely interesting corner of the city as well as suggesting ways in which it can be protected and enhanced.

In the pre-internet days the organisation made itself heard primarily through its Ouseburn Heritage magazine. I remember this well, and most of the old articles therein can be accessed via their present-day website. There are also links to many, many other articles concerning the area - including, of course, a regular blog.

There are walks and talks to involve yourself with, including info on the famous Victoria Tunnel. It really is a fantastic effort. I have no direct connection with the Ouseburn, but regularly dip into the website for pure entertainment's sake. Oh, and if you still don't really know your way round this curious little valley then this website will force you into a proper real-life visit ... and there's lots of pubs down that way, too!