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Marsden Grotto is a pub located in caves and buildings on the beach at the foot of the cliffs in Marsden Bay, opposite Marsden Rock. It is considered to be unique as the only 'cave bar' in Europe.
The rock in the cliffs is composed of Magnesian Limestone and is relatively soft and easy to work as can be seen in the numerous caves, arches and sea stacks within Marsden Bay.
Jack 'The Blaster' Bates, who worked at Marsden Quarry, and his wife, set up home in, and extended a natural cave here using explosives, in the late 1700s. The couple sold refreshments to visitors to the Bay.
It was further developed in the 1830s and 40s by Peter Allan, a Scotsman, once employed as a gamekeeper at Whitburn Hall. He moved into the Grotto with his family and began to excavate several new rooms including a kitchen, bedrooms and a ballroom. His inn became a great success much to the annoyance of the Excise authorities who thought that he was involved in smuggling. A catastrophic cliff fall in 1865 almost destroyed the inn. Large retaining walls were built to protect the internal structure.
More recent owners have been the Harton Coal Company, Vaux Breweries and then a series of large chains and the inn has experienced periods of refurbishment, success, decline and neglect. In September 2007, South Tyneside Council, who are responsible for the stairs adjacent to the pub NZ3964 : Stairway adjacent to Marsden Grotto, closed them off due to a damaged step, pending repair. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service ordered the pub be temporarily closed to the public until the stairs reopen as they are the only means of safe evacuation from the pub, especially at high tide. The Grotto reopened on 21 March 2008.
There have long been tales of hauntings at the Grotto, mainly relating to a smuggler who was reputedly murdered by his fellow criminals after selling information to H.M. Customs. A previous landlord used to leave out a full tankard of beer every night which was reputedly always emptied Link
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