"The whole place is unique and full of character - falling asleep to the sound of the sea was beautiful."
Russell from United Kingdom
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"The hotel at the bottom was beyond expectation considering the simple plain view at the top!"
Sandra from United Kingdom
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"The location by the sea is incredible. Beautiful scenery and lots of birds."
Steven from United Kingdom
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"Visited yesterday booked the shanti room the view was outstanding food was beautiful staff were very pleasant and helpful."
vic4000 from United Kingdom
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"Gorgeous seaside location with absolutely stunning views. Amazing food, drinks and service, also very friendly staff."
Anonymous from United Kingdom
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Cave hotel built into the cliff on the South Shields coast
Amenities & Facilities
The Grotto offers a lift from the car park down to the beach, eliminating the need to use the steep zigzag staircase. The property includes a bar, non-smoking rooms throughout, and on-site parking. Internet access is available for guests who need to stay connected.
Rooms
Each room at The Grotto provides sea views, a bath, and a separate shower. Rooms are equipped with a work desk, a hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities. All accommodations are non-smoking and include a TV for in-room entertainment.
Location
The Grotto sits 2.7 km from Sandhaven Beach and 26 km from Newcastle International Airport. Nearby attractions include Arbeia Roman Fort & Museum, located 5 km away, and Tynemouth Castle and Priory, 17 km from the property. The coastal setting places guests directly on Marsden Bay with easy access to the beach and caves.
Dining
The Grotto houses a seafood restaurant upstairs, a bistro, and a large bar with a pool room. A heated terrace on the beach provides outdoor seating, and the inside cave offers another bar area. Kids' meals are available, and the menu includes options like fish chowder and seafood surf and turf burgers.
History & Unique Setting
The Grotto is partly dug into the cliff face and is one of the very few cave bars in Europe. The venue includes a lift shaft rising from the front of the building, with a terrace bar below. Guests can explore the caves on the beach at low tide and learn about the pub's history as a former smugglers' hideout.
Highlights
Setting: Cave bar built into the cliff, one of few in Europe
Access: Lift from car park to beach and restaurant
Location: 2.7 km from Sandhaven Beach, 26 km from Newcastle Airport
Dining: Seafood restaurant, bistro, terrace bar, pool room
Rooms: Sea views with bath and separate shower
Family: Kids' meals available on-site
Must-do experiences
Stroll along the stunning South Shields seafront at sunset.
Try the famous 'Sunderland Gravy' at The Fish Quay's eateries.
Visit Tynemouth Castle for breathtaking views and local history.
Explore the hidden gem of South Shields Museum and Art Gallery.
Don't miss the vibrant South Shields Market for local crafts and foods.
Select your room type
The Grotto features a range of room types across England, from double and family rooms to suites, with breakfast, free cancellation, and special offers included
Standard Twin Room Sea View
2 persons
4 m²
2 Single beds
Shower
room details
Triple Room Shower
2 persons
5 m²
1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bed
Shower
room details
Deluxe Double Room Bath
2 persons
5 m²
1 Double bed
Bathtub
room details
Show all rooms
Price and Room Availability Calendar
Check availability and prices for your stay in England now!
Facilities
The Grotto provides amenities to make your stay in England comfortable and memorable
Facilities: Very good
7.9/10Review score
General
No smoking on site
Parking
No pets allowed
Lift
Dining
Bar/ Lounge area
Children
Children's menu
Room features
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities
Show more
The Grotto: Location in England
Coast Road, South Shields, NE34 7BS,
Map view
City landmarks
Lighthouse
Souter Lighthouse
1.3 km
Golf Course
Whitburn Golf Club
930 m
Landmark
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas
1.21 km
Landmark
National Trust
1.31 km
Landmark
Camel's Island
730 m
Landmark
Man Haven Beach
1.12 km
Landmark
Lizard Point
1.28 km
Landmark
Disappearing Gun Turret
2.41 km
Landmark
Whitburn Windmill
2.44 km
Theme Park
Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
3.75 km
Park
Temple Memorial Park
2.88 km
Beach
Sandhaven Beach
3.25 km
Museum
Barracks and Commanding Officer's house
4.55 km
Park
Bents Park
3.52 km
Park
South Marine Park
3.76 km
Landmark
John Simpson Kirkpatrick Memorial Statue
4.02 km
Castle
Tynemouth Priory and Castle
5.22 km
Art object
Admiral Lord Collingwood Monument
5.21 km
Museum
South Shields Museum And Art Gallery
4.21 km
Landmark
Lakeshore Railroad
3.74 km
Landmark
Trow Point Disappearing Gun
3.94 km
Stadium
Sunderland Greyhound Stadium
4.57 km
Park
South and North Marine Parks
4.45 km
Beach
Seaburn Beach
4.32 km
Landmark
The Word, National Centre for the Written Word
4.48 km
Landmark
Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade Museum
4.95 km
Nearby
Coast Road
The Marsden Grotto
200 m
Beach
Marsden Rock
50 m
Beach
Marsden Beach
260 m
Marsden Bay
570 m
Restaurants
Herbs And Spice
490 m
71 Lake Avenue
Explore South Shields
Local Highlights
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Marsden Rock
1-minute walk
Marsden Rock features stunning sea stacks and is a hotspot for birdwatching and photography.
The Marsden Grotto
3-minute walk
The Marsden Grotto is a historic pub located in a cave with fantastic sea views and a unique ambiance.
Souter Lighthouse
16 minutes' walk
Souter Lighthouse offers guided tours and panoramic views of the coastline; it's a must-visit for history buffs.
Camel's Island
10-minute walk
Camel's Island provides a serene escape and is ideal for a peaceful stroll or picnic by the sea.
Water Sports
4-minute drive
Thrilling water sports, including kayaking and paddleboarding, are available at nearby beaches during the summer.
Biking along The Leas
15 minutes' walk
Biking along The Leas offers a scenic route with coastal views. Rentals are available locally.
Yoga Classes
10-minute drive
Relaxing yoga classes are offered at local studios, perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
Herbs And Spice
10-minute walk
A cozy restaurant specializing in Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine, with vegetarian options and vibrant flavors.
The Grotto Restaurant
3-minute walk
Known for its seafood, this waterfront eatery features stunning views and a relaxed atmosphere; reservations recommended.
The Marsden Grotto Bar
3-minute walk
This unique bar hosts live music and dance events, ideal for a fun night out by the beach.
Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
6-minute drive
Family-friendly amusement park with rides, games, and entertainment options, perfect for a day of fun.
Getting around England
City Centre
South Shields 6 min · 3.9 km
Airports
Newcastle (NCL) 46 min · 30.5 km
Durham Tees Valley (MME) 102 min · 67.7 km
Bus
Bus stop 20 min · 13.2 km
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 14:00-21:00
Check-out
until 10 am
Children & extra beds
There are no cots provided in a room. There are no extra beds provided in a room.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of rooms:
9
Guest Reviews and Ratings
What previous guests said about staying at The Grotto.
Breakfast
10.0/10
Cleanliness
8.2/10
Comfort
8.1/10
Facilities
7.9/10
Free Wi-Fi
10.0/10
Location
9.5/10
Paid Wi-Fi
3.4/10
Staff
9.2/10
Value for money
7.7/10
Pros
Unique setting
Sea views
Helpful staff
Cons
Uncomfortable beds
Room maintenance
Guest reviews
based on 361 reviews
8.1/10
No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.
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