Victoria Tunnel Guide

Join our tunnel guide team leading tours in Victoria Tunnel – the number one thing to do in Newcastle on TripAdvisor.

Our guides run short 75-minute tours and longer 2-hour tours both for the public and private groups.

We focus on two key periods of the Tunnel’s history its beginning as a Victorian coal waggonway and its use as an air-raid shelter during World War II. Full training is provided in both content and delivery.

Tours are delivered by pairs of guides, and we support our volunteers to buddy up or to lead tours with a range of people, whichever suits them most.

There is also opportunity to get involved in leading tours for schools and supporting our special event programme – from Halloween and Christmas to stewarding music events and hosting Tipples in the Tunnel. Take a look at our website to see the full range.

The role involves

• Meeting and welcoming visitors (12-15 per tour) and checking booking list.
• Leading the tour to the Tunnel, 700m through the Tunnel and back to the entrance, explaining the history and heritage of the Victoria Tunnel and making a tour of it a wonderful fulfilling experience.
• Monitoring and observing the health and safety requirements of the tour.

Other responsibilities may include:

• Getting involved with our ‘rod squad’ to help maintain the tunnel
• Coming up with ideas and help organise events
• First Aid training

Training provided

• Volunteers are provided with a Guide Mentor and work with their mentor to complete our training programme. All materials are provided.

• We want guides to feel comfortable and confident both with the history and content of the tours, as well as how to deliver them. The duration of training is agreed on an individual case by case basis.

• Most of our trainee guides start by leading the welcome introduction, then adding different sections of the tour until they feel confident delivering everything themselves.

Time required

Guides volunteer usually for 2-3 hours at a time. Tours usually last 1¼ or 2 hours and run weekdays, evenings and weekends. Guides can lead tours regularly or occasionally, and willingness to step in at short notice is very much appreciated.

We hope to see Guides on tours at least once a month.

Skills

• An interest in history
• Experience of working with people
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• The enthusiasm and the ability to work as part of a team.
• Access to email and mobile phone text for tour planning