The Valley
The Valley has many places to explore for people of all ages. There are easy walks around the surrounding parklands overlooked by some of the Ouseburn’s imposing bridges (8 in total) which date from the mid 1700’s to 2006. A riverside walk from the Village Green along the back of the historic warehouses towards the Tyne will take in the colourful motor boats moored along the river, with an easy loop back onto Lime Street, home to Seven Stories book centre, and the Ouseburn Farm. The following are venues that we feel are particularly suitable for family fun:
Seven Stories, Lime Street
The national Centre for the Children’s Book and the only exhibition space in the UK celebrating British children’s literature, the centre offers exhibitions, drop-in activities, story-telling, bookshop events and has a café and a large well-stocked bookshop.
w: www.sevenstories.org.uk
Ouseburn Farm, Ouseburn Road
This is a small working farm, with a range of animals and horticultural projects, plus facilities for heritage and environmental education. Open to the public Saturdays to Thursdays from 9.30-3.40 (closed on Fridays). Its foyer is a visitor information point with information about attractions and local history so this is a great place to start exploring the valley.
w: www.newcastlecommunityheritage.org
t: 0191 232 3698
Stepney Bank Stables, Stepney Bank
Featured on BBC1 and CBBC in “The Stables”, this is an original nineteenth century stables where visitors can step back in time and learn how horses lived and worked in the Valley over the last 100 years. The Indoor Riding Arena on Stepney Bank, a bit further down from the Stables, is a unique inner city riding project offering riding for all ages and abilities.
w: www.stepneybank.co.uk
t: 0191 261 5544 (bookings and enquiries)
Victoria Tunnel, Ouse Street
Built in the 1830’s to transport coal from the mines to ships waiting on the Tyne, the tunnel is just over 2 miles long, but only 600 metres are still accessible. It was closed in the 1860’s but re-opened in 1939 as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.
The tunnel, now operated by the Ouseburn Trust is open as a tourist attraction with art and heritage-based audio-visual experiences. Public tours are normally on a Thursday evening, Friday morning and afternoon and Saturday morning and afternoon. Group visits are by arrangement. This includes school visits and workshops on demand. The first section of the tunnel is wheelchair accessible.Guided tours can be booked through this website:
w:www.newcastlecommunityheritage.org/victoriatunnel
t: 0191 232 3698
The Cluny, Lime Street
Pub/restaurant/music venue. Offers half portions of most meals on their extensive menu including daily specials.
Ouseburn Explorer
There's a great new way to enjoy the Ouseburn as a family - with 'Ouseburn Explorer', our child-friendly guide featuring four themed walks around the Valley. The guide is proving a great hit with 6-10 year olds, as it puts them firmly in charge as walk leaders, but all ages enjoy the challenge of exploring curious nooks and crannies. You can buy 'Ouseburn Explorer' in Seven Stories or Ouseburn Trust Resource Centre on Lime Street, for only £3.99. It's also on sale in the City's Tourist Information Centres, the Laing Gallery, the Discovery Museum and Fenwicks.