Victoria tunnels

Warmest day of the year so far and what had we planned......?
To visit the underground tunnels!
We visited the Victoria tunnels for a tour. These tunnels opened in 1842 so that wagons of coal could travel underground from the colliery at spiral tongues to ships on the Tyne. When the mines closed the tunnels were left unused for many years. They were re-opened as air raid shelters during WWII. It would have been a pretty scary experience spending the night down here in these narrow, dark tunnels. It was a really interesting tour and I would really recommend it (although not to anyone taller than 6ft as the roof is very low which will ache your neck and back!)

After the tunnels we explored the rest of Ousburn in the sun. We visited the little farm and had a drink at the music venue the Cluny. We had a walk along to the Free Trade in and sat outside with a cider and beautiful view up the Tyne. Afterwards we walked along the Tyne in the sun to the bridges and over to the Baltic. Visited the Central Bar in Gateshead then walked over the Tyne bridge to get a view of the river. Tried a new bar called Lola Jeans before heading home.
Took many pictures of the Quayside and bridges but chose to blip a pic from down the eery tunnels. A great bank holiday Saturday :)