Marsden Grotto
One of Europe's only cave bars, built into the cliff face at Marsden Bay with a beach terrace, seafood restaurant, and ten boutique hotel rooms overlooking Marsden Rock. Open daily from noon.
About Marsden Grotto
The Grotto is a remarkable establishment carved into the cliffs at Marsden Bay in South Shields, originally excavated in 1782 by Jack 'the Blaster' Bates. Once a smugglers' haunt, it now combines a cave bar, a seafood restaurant and boutique accommodation. The restaurant serves freshly prepared seafood alongside grill dishes and fish and chips, while ten hotel rooms set within the cliff face offer sea views over Marsden Rock and the North Sea. A lift provides access to the beach terrace, and the venue is dog-friendly. It also hosts weddings, though opening can be affected by high tides.
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