Most haunted pubs: ghostly tales behind 7 spooky boozers in Newcastle and the North East

Halloween is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the holiday than by visiting pubs with spine-chilling ghost tales behind them?

From the haunt of a former king to an ale house occupied by the spirit of a giggling Irish prostitute, the North East is not short of spooky drinking spots.

Here are seven pubs across Newcastle and the North East where you might have a ghostly encounter.

Swarley’s (formerly Blackie Boy)

Located in Newcastle city centre, Swarley’s is one of the oldest pubs in Newcastle and has experienced unusual happenings in the past.

It was formerly known as Blackie Boy but was renamed last year over fears that people might be offended.

The historic pub in Groat Market is said to have a resident ghost who haunts the building’s second floor, and staff members have reported seeing a dark figure and feeling as though they are being watched.

In one incident, a male member of staff was once changing a light bulb when a woman’s voice screamed, “Get out, get out”.

The Old George, Old George Yard, Newcastle

Dating back to the 16th century, The Old George pub, located on Old George Yard, just off the Cloth Market, is Newcastle’s oldest drinking spot.

The pub was frequented by King Charles I in 1646 while he was being held captive by the Scots on Pilgrim Street. They allowed him to play golf on the Shieldfield and on the way back, he would stop off at the Inn for a drink.

The chair he is alleged to have sat in is still a feature of the pub inside the ‘Charles I Room’. Visitors have reported the outline of a ghostly figure sitting in the chair.

There are also reports of a phantom man and his dog seen at the bar, and staff have heard footsteps while closing up.

The Cooperage pub, Newcastle Quayside

The derelict Cooperage pub, which closed in 2009, is not haunted, but the alleyway next to the pub is.

The ghost of Henry Hardwick is said to live on the Long Stairs by the Newcastle Quayside.

Henry was supposedly trying to escape a gang when they caught him and beat him up in the alleyway next to the former Cooperage Pub, even tearing out his eyeballs.

Witnesses say they have seen an Edwardian-dressed ghost down the alley with nothing but black eye sockets.

The Grotto, Marsden, South Shields

The Marsden Grotto gastropub, situated in a cave along the coast of South Shields, has a reputation for its mysterious and spooky paranormal activity.

There have been several strange occurrences in the unique building, which has a past of murders and deaths.

It was built in 1782 by Jack Bates, a local miner, as a new home for him and his wife.

A smuggler named John the Jibber is said to have been murdered by his fellow criminals by being hung in a barrel in a cave close to the lift shaft and left to starve. His spirit is sometimes witnessed by visitors and staff.

Other ghostly figures said to manifest the old tavern include the original owner, Blaster Jack, another smuggler, a black-and-white cat, the daughter of another owner and a poltergeist who haunts the toilets.

Robin Hood, Roman Road, Jarrow (now Vespa Vespa Italian Bar and Steakhouse)

Another reputedly haunted public house is the Robin Hood in Roman Road, now the Italian restaurant Vespa.

The poltergeist was known to hurl a clock from the wall during the time it was the Robin Hood.

The Wheatsheaf, West Boldon

The Wheatsheaf in West Boldon has previously been the subject of paranormal investigations and was voted the most haunted pub in the UK in 2004.

The pub was featured in a TV programme on the Discovery Channel in the 2000s, which saw psychic Suzanne Hadwin claim the building was haunted by a six-year-old girl called Jessica Ann Hargreaves, who was murdered there in 1908 by Joseph Lawrence.

It is alleged that Joseph, who is believed to be the former landlord or a barman, brutally killed eight other children within the walls of the pub.

The Alum Ale House, Ferry Street, South Shields

One of South Shield’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 is said to be the spirit of an Irish prostitute with a taste for alcohol, and she can sometimes be heard giggling and slamming doors in the middle of the night.

Employees have also reported seeing the victorian gentleman walking down the staircase in a long-tailed coat and carrying his black top hat in his hand before the figure disappears through a blocked-off doorway.

The Grey Woman, who has been spotted wearing a grey dress with long sleeves, is said to haunt the women’s toilets.