Marsden Grotto

It is said that he moved into a small cave at Marsden Rock either after refusing to pay rent on his house in Allendale[1] or simply having nowhere to live.

[2] Using explosives from a local quarry, he blasted the small cave into a much larger one, earning his nickname "Jack the Blaster" in the process and creating a rent-free and landlord-free home.

[3][4] A local man (although originally from Scotland) and pub landlord, Peter Allan took over the Marsden Grotto and developed it with money supposedly won at the races.

Allan restored and extended the caves into a 15-room home including a ballroom and kitchen, turning Jack's house into an inn.

In 1848 John Clay, who later became the first mayor of the County Borough of South Shields, bought The Leas and claimed that the land gave him rights to The Grotto.

In September 2007, South Tyneside Council, who are responsible for the stairs adjacent to the pub, closed them off due to a damaged step, pending repair.

There have long been tales of hauntings at The Grotto, mainly relating to a smuggler named John the Jibber[5] who was reputedly murdered by his fellow criminals after selling information to HM Customs.

[6] Until the pub was sold by Vaux, it was said that the landlord would leave out a special tankard of ale each night after closing and, in the morning, it would be empty.

Local DJ and TV presenter Alan Robson drank from the tankard during one of his live Metro Radio shows, allegedly sparking off a series of supernatural phenomena that eventually forced the then landlord to quit.

This included flying ashtrays smashing against the wall and flooding in the cellar after all the beer taps were inexplicably turned on.