South Shields: Marsden Grotto Hotel is a unique setting for a meal out, family trip or a wedding venue

The Marsden Grotto, known locally as The Grotto, has been welcoming people through its doors for a couple of hundred years, but its history goes back far beyond that.

The cave now forms part of the hotel’s unique interior and is used as dining room and there’s also a cave bedroom offering guests a truly unusual hotel experience.

The cave was originally created back in 1782 when Jack Bates, aka Jack the Blaster, and his wife Jessie used dynamite from a local quarry to blast into the side of the coastal cliff at Marsden Bay in South Shields, thus creating themselves a rent-free cave home right on the beach.

It was notorious as a smugglers’ hideout – another little sideline for Jack – and after being passed through several owners, some more shady than others, it was gradually developed into an inn with rooms through the 19th century.

Meet the manager

Erin Kilburn took over management of the hotel in January this year and it is now part of the Hotels International Group. She loves its more unusual features and is looking forward to seeing guests making the most of the spacious terrace and spectacular sea views this summer.

As well as 10 bedrooms there are also two apartments within the hotel. But despite its long history, its current arrangement as a hotel didn’t come about until 2018. Erin says many local people still don’t realise it is a hotel as well as a restaurant and bar, with boutique bedrooms boasting luxurious fittings and stand-alone bath tubs, and there’s a sumptuous bridal suite. But the special mix of modern luxuries with an unusual history and unconventional features attracts visitors from all over the world.

“We’ve had guests from Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand – all over the world really,” said Erin. A lift was installed in the 1950s, which takes guests down to the shore where they can view Marsden Rock.

Unique wedding venue

The whole venue makes the perfect location for a special occasion – especially a wedding. Couples can take over the entire building for the event, when the impressive cave restaurant, festooned with fairy lights, becomes a distinctive venue for the ceremony and wedding breakfast. With its exposed stone walls, original fireplace and door it’s a wonderful setting which will wow your guests.

And with the beach just outside it’s perfect for photographs and for guests, young and old, to enjoy outdoors or in a specially lit and decorated gazeebo.

A taste of the sea

Being so close to the sea you’d expect local fish on the menu – and you won’t be disappointed. Seafood is the signature speciality in the restaurant and you can expect to feast on the likes of lobster and seafood pasta as well as lots of other tempting and seasonal options. The cave restaurant is open daily from 12 to 9pm.

The family-friendly relaxed beach bar opens from 10am to 10pm every day, and coffees, tea and snacks are served all day from 10am.

Special events

Erin’s keen to put on special events, such as the paint and sip nights which have already proved popular. And the hotel can cater for any special event – from a baby shower to a bachelor party.

Find out more

Visit the website to find out more about the hotel and its history, to view a menu or book a table or room. Click here