With today (Friday, October 31) being Halloween, we’ve put together a list of some of the ‘most haunted’ South Tyneside pubs.
The borough is blessed with a large number of historic pubs, some of which have been serving customers for centuries, so it is unsurprising that quite a few of them come with a ghostly tale.
With stories of a giggling Irish prostitute occupying an ale house or a ghostly toddler on the steps of a beer cellar, there is plenty of spooky secrets at venues across South Tyneside.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these pubs in the borough are definitely a must try this Halloween.
5. The Alum Ale House, Ferry Street, South Shields
One of the town’s most historic pubs is reputedly haunted by a number of characters, including a phantom barman, a Victorian gentleman, a Grey Lady and Giggly Meg - the latter said to be the spirit of an Irish prostitute with a taste for booze whose haunting laugh lives on. | Google Maps
6. The Black Bull, Front Street, East Boldon
A ghostly toddler has been seen sitting at the bottom of the cellar steps. Gaming machine alarms mysteriously going off and bottles ‘rattling violently’ behind the bar are among other strange phenomena reported. | Google Maps
7. The Britannia Inn (Toby Carvery), Front Street, Cleadon
A spectral Cavalier and a Catholic soldier who fought for the Royalists are said to haunt the pub, with legend having it they relate to Civil War-era tunnel which runs under the former coaching inn. A new pub was built on the site of a much older tavern in Victorian times. Other tales from the pub include a phantom coach and horses, as well as a yarn involving a one-legged sailor who supposedly died on the premises in the 1800s. | Google Maps
8. The Black Horse, Rectory Bank, West Boldon
Said to be haunted by a ‘Sad Cavalier’ wearing tall boots, leggings and a wide-brimmed hat, who vanishes into thin air when asked if he needs any help. | Google Maps