The Mile Castle is the region’s largest Wetherspoons and has its roots going back hundreds of years. A Roman biographer claimed the border between the empire and Scotland was marked with a castle at every mile, hence the name. The Grade II listed building was initially a bank which opened in 1863.placeholder image
The Mile Castle is the region’s largest Wetherspoons and has its roots going back hundreds of years. A Roman biographer claimed the border between the empire and Scotland was marked with a castle at every mile, hence the name. The Grade II listed building was initially a bank which opened in 1863. | Google

How every Tyne and Wear Wetherspoons pub got its name and the stories behind them

Jason Button
By Jason Button

Search and Trends Writer

Published 31st Mar 2025, 10:34 BST

The budget pub chain has a reputation of renovating old buildings, and these are the stories the buildings hold.

In addition to cheap food and drink, Wetherspoons is well known for taking old buildings and giving them a new lease of life as pubs and nightlife spots.

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With so many of the chain’s pubs in the North East, these are the stories behind each of the region’s pubs and how they turned into boozers after, in some cases, a long history.

The pub takes its name from the animal which featured on the Gilpin family coat of arms, and still appears on the A609 signs welcoming visitors to Houghton today. It is thought the Gilpin family were from Cumbria, who were awarded land in the North East after slaying a wild boar which was causing havic for farmers.

13. The Wild Boar, Houghton

The pub takes its name from the animal which featured on the Gilpin family coat of arms, and still appears on the A609 signs welcoming visitors to Houghton today. It is thought the Gilpin family were from Cumbria, who were awarded land in the North East after slaying a wild boar which was causing havic for farmers. | NW

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The Cooper Rose in Sunderland is named after a vaccination device, which was advocated by a local doctor named Dr Henry Renney.

14. The Cooper Rose, Sunderland

The Cooper Rose in Sunderland is named after a vaccination device, which was advocated by a local doctor named Dr Henry Renney. | Google Maps

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The Fire Station in Whitley Bay was formerly the headquarters of the Whitley Bay and Monkseaton Fire Brigade. The structure was first built in 1909 and operated until 1991.

15. The Fire Station, Whitley Bay

The Fire Station in Whitley Bay was formerly the headquarters of the Whitley Bay and Monkseaton Fire Brigade. The structure was first built in 1909 and operated until 1991. | Google Maps

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