08 – Bridge Hotel

The Bridge Hotel dates from the 1820s the licensee was Thomas Robson and it was originally called the King’s Head.  With the opening of the Stanhope and Tyne Railway Bridge in 1834 the name was changed to the Bridge Inn.

Advert 1902 (South Tyneside Libraries)

Seemingly before the station at Mile End Road was built you had to get your ticket in the back room of this pub!

The rear tiling still has the name Bridge Hotel visible on the Queen Street entrance. The entrance to the bar was mainly from Queen Street and was quite small.  The building later became Caxton’s Shoes.

Bridge rear c1961 (Ron Lawson, Sunderland Antiquarian Society)
Bridge rear 2000 (Ron Lawson, Sunderland Antiquarian Society)

It was rebuilt probably in the 1890s.The brick work is really ornate and the gargoyles are a treat. 

Gargoyles were used in medieval buildings to keep evil spirits away and dragons.

From 1919 it was owned by Newcastle Breweries.  The Buffet was in King Street and passage lead from the front door through to the bar and another door leading into the buffet. It closed in 1973.

Bridge front c1961 (Ron Lawson, Sunderland Antiquarian Society)

It was BETFRED Book Makers until 2023.

Sources:
British Newspaper Archives
Licensing Records
Terry Ford
Trade Directories

Photos:
South Tyneside Libraries
Ron Lawson, Sunderland Antiquarian Society
Terry Ford