The Marsden Grotto

Carved into the limestone cliffs overlooking the North Sea, the Marsden Grotto is one of England’s most unusual pubs, built within a cave system that was once the domain of notorious smuggler Jack Bates, known as “Jack the Blaster.” In 1782, Bates blasted away portions of the cave to create a secret hideaway for smuggling contraband. His spectral presence has never left the establishment, with staff and patrons reporting his ghostly figure wandering the tunnels and original cave sections, often accompanied by the sound of barrels being moved and mysterious footsteps echoing through the stone passages.

The pub’s haunted reputation intensified after a major renovation in the 1970s when workers reported tools disappearing and reappearing, sudden cold spots, and the overwhelming feeling of being watched from the darker recesses of the cave. Witnesses have described seeing a shadowy figure dressed in 18th-century clothing near the lift that descends to the pub from the cliff top above. The ghost is said to be protective of the establishment, with some believing Jack continues to guard his former smuggling headquarters from beyond the grave.

Staff working late shifts have reported glasses moving on their own, doors slamming when no one is present, and the distinct smell of tobacco smoke in areas where smoking hasn’t been permitted for decades. The old smuggling tunnels, which once connected to the beach below, are particularly active with paranormal phenomena. Visitors have captured unexplained orbs and shadowy figures in photographs, while electronic voice phenomena recordings have allegedly picked up whispered voices speaking in archaic dialects, possibly the remnants of conversations between long-dead smugglers conducting their illegal trade.