The Brewery Tap in Dunning Street ran from 1842 to 2000. It was also previously known as Minerva and Neptune. And Ron told us that it was once a smallpox hospital in 1869.The Brewery Tap in Dunning Street ran from 1842 to 2000. It was also previously known as Minerva and Neptune. And Ron told us that it was once a smallpox hospital in 1869.
The Brewery Tap in Dunning Street ran from 1842 to 2000. It was also previously known as Minerva and Neptune. And Ron told us that it was once a smallpox hospital in 1869.

Nine Sunderland pubs with curious pasts - including one taken brick-by-brick to America

Have you heard about the Sunderland pub which was moved brick-by-brick to America? Or how about the one which was named after a champion horse?
By Chris Cordner
Published 11th Aug 2020, 06:00 GMT

Then there’s the pub with a bar which was so long, it stretched into the next street!

Or what about the one which had a cannon outside to deflect horse and carriages? There’s many a tale to be told about the pubs of Wearside and we have plenty for you.

Each photo and story comes to us courtesy of Ron Lawson, the former JP who is also part of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society and who has shared a part of his huge photo selection.

Take a look at Ron’s great reminders of times gone by.

To find out more about the society, visit its Facebook page or its website at http://www.sunderland-antiquarians.org/

If you’ve got pub memories please contact Chris Cordner on [email protected].

The Half Moon Inn was a drinkers haven in High Street East from 1771 to 1937. But when it closed, an American visitor loved it so much he bought it and had it taken brick by brick to the USA where it was rebuilt. Photo: Ron Lawson, JP.

1. The Sunderland pub which was moved to America

The Half Moon Inn was a drinkers haven in High Street East from 1771 to 1937. But when it closed, an American visitor loved it so much he bought it and had it taken brick by brick to the USA where it was rebuilt. Photo: Ron Lawson, JP. Photo: Ron Lawson

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The Windsor Castle in Bishopwearmouth had a marine cannon outside it. It was used as a glancing stone and Ron explained that it was a merchant navy cannon which was used as a glancing stone because the carts at the time had steel hubs and this stopped them from damaging the brickwork of the pub.

2. The pub with a cannon - to deflect horse and carriages

The Windsor Castle in Bishopwearmouth had a marine cannon outside it. It was used as a glancing stone and Ron explained that it was a merchant navy cannon which was used as a glancing stone because the carts at the time had steel hubs and this stopped them from damaging the brickwork of the pub. Photo: Ron Lawson

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The Nutwith Hotel, on Sans Street and Coronation Street, was a landmark from 1834 to 1962. Its owner followed horse racing and one of the horses he backed was called Nutwith which went on to win the St Leger in 1843. After winning a decent amount of money, he named his pub after the horse. Photo: Ron Lawson JP.

3. The pub named after a St Leger winner

The Nutwith Hotel, on Sans Street and Coronation Street, was a landmark from 1834 to 1962. Its owner followed horse racing and one of the horses he backed was called Nutwith which went on to win the St Leger in 1843. After winning a decent amount of money, he named his pub after the horse. Photo: Ron Lawson JP. Photo: Ron Lawson

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The Look Out Inn was named after one of the four hills in Monkwearmouth and, as Ron tells us, they were 'all ballast hills' caused by the ships which had to get rid of their ballast as they came in.

4. The Look Out Inn, Monkwearmouth

The Look Out Inn was named after one of the four hills in Monkwearmouth and, as Ron tells us, they were 'all ballast hills' caused by the ships which had to get rid of their ballast as they came in. Photo: Ron Lawson

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