By Carol Davison
Whilst events are being planned down on the Fish Quay to commemorate the 800th anniversary of North Shields, at the top of Tanner’s Bank, another anniversary has recently been celebrated at the Tynemouth Lodge. Marking Damian King’s 25th year as manager, regulars came out in force on March 29th to party like it was 1999 – well it was actually 2000 when a youthful Damian started the job aged just twenty-eight but what’s a year between friends? He had been bar manager at the Grand Hotel for seven years before moving down the bank to The Lodge, aware of the good reputation of iconic landlord Hughie Price and his well-kept cellar. Hugh, who bought the pub in 1983 and has been trading for the past 42 years, is particularly grateful to Damian as he is now able to enjoy his retirement in the Lakes, knowing the pub is being well looked after.
The Tynemouth Lodge Hotel, its full title, is actually no longer a hotel though after a good session at the bar, some of the regulars wish it were! It is a Georgian Grade 2 listed building and has had its licence continuously since 1799 so is up there with the Low Lights Tavern as one of the oldest public houses in North Shields. It is situated next to the old Tynemouth House of Correction which was built in 1792 and served as a local prison and courthouse until 1890. Originally, the prisoners’ meals were cooked in the hotel’s cellar kitchen and taken through to the prison via an underground tunnel which linked the two premises. Visiting circuit judges would stay in the accommodation provided at the hotel and be fed and watered there after a long day of doling out punishment to local criminals. Back in the 1890’s, the Tynemouth Lodge was home to scandalous landlord John Rutherford. The former policeman turned publican had a tumultuous marriage to a barmaid and was eventually jailed for her murder in 1898.
It’s unsurprising that with such a history, the Tynemouth Lodge is said to be home to a ghost or two. Successive tenants in an upstairs flat have reported seeing a lady in Georgian style clothing and a bonnet chasing young children in the early hours of the morning. Then there’s the bar ghost, reputed to be the spirit of William Mould, a customer who according to an 1879 newspaper article, “ordered a brandy but before the man could get the liquor to his lips, fell backwards and expired.” The place of his passing, the seat next to the porch, is known to locals as ‘Deadman’s Corner.’ Damian noted that he regularly gets complaints of a mysterious chill in that spot, even in the height of summer, and that on a busy night, this is the last seat to be occupied, superstitious customers avoiding what some call ‘Turnbull’s waiting room.’
Leaving its dark history behind, The Lodge is home to much happier times and is a successful establishment with a loyal clientele. With its open fire, William Morris style wallpaper, green leather seats and brass tables, it is every inch the traditional English pub. Known for its great real ale, The Lodge will be celebrating forty years of consecutive entries in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide in 2026. Popular at the bar is Bass, Black Sheep and Tyneside Blonde from the local Hadrian and Border Brewery. In
addition to getting a decent pint, the pub has a popular ‘no TV or music’ policy in the bar which is a draw to many customers who relish the opportunity to meet friends and enjoy a conversation without having to battle with background noise. When chatting to the locals about what draws them to the place, a warm welcome by friendly, engaging bar staff was up there with the good beer. One customer told me how he appreciated being greeted by name when he walked in and explained that he liked the place that much, he would travel to The Lodge from his home in Newcastle before eventually persuading his wife to move closer!
What passersby might not know, is that The Lodge has a cracking beer garden at the back. The sheltered spot is a sun trap on a summer’s afternoon and as it backs on to Northumberland Park, a leafy and picturesque one at that. On a quiet afternoon you can enjoy a drink and listen to the lush soundscape from the park and on a busier weekend afternoon, enjoy entertainment during one of the regular music and barbeque events organised by Damian.
During the colder winter months, the beer garden is covered with a marquee which allows them to run events year-round. Damian initiated the idea of this beer tent as a temporary measure during the period of social distancing following the Covid outbreak, but recognising the potential in this extra space, decided to keep it long-term. The staff have great fun dressing the tent up festively for the annual Christmas Carol sing-along event which raises funds for the RNLI. It is also home for a week in October to Little Cat Theatre’s annual Halloween offering, the spooky, sell-out ‘Scary Tales’ shows.
So what, I asked Damian, the well-read anthropology graduate, has kept him at the Lodge for quarter of a century in a notoriously transient business? “Lack of ambition,” he joked before describing his love of the place and the camaraderie behind the bar. “There’s always been great staff here from day one which makes it a good place to be.” The fact that many of the bar staff have worked there for years is testament to Damian’s successful management style, creating a safe and happy working environment. With no plans to move on, we can all be rest assured that the Lodge remains in safe hands.
The Tynemouth Lodge Hotel can be found at 24 Tynemouth Road, North Shields NE30 4AA. For more information about the history of the pub and event information, please check out their website and follow on Facebook and Instagram
