The history of The Robin Hood can be traced back to 1824 when it was first show on ordinance survey maps as The Robin Hood and Little John Inn. From 1871 – 1873 it was known as The Archers Arms. The current Robin Hood Inn was rebuilt in 1896.

The Robin Hood was originally a coaching inn with letting rooms and stables, situated halfway between Newcastle and South Shields on the Newcastle Road. At that time it would have been extremely popular with travellers as it was then the only hostelry or public house between Newcastle and South Shields.

In 1932, the public house was under the ownership of Sunderland brewers Vaux. For 40 years The Robin Hood was a flagship-managed house for the Sunderland brewer. It became a Vaux tenanted house in the early 1970’s and following the closure of the Vaux Brewery the pub became part of the Hartlepool based PubMaster chain.

Following a succession of tenants, with little to invest on the premises, The Robin Hood was sadly boarded up on the 3rd January 2000.

For two and a half years The Robin Hood was derelict until the fire damaged remains were purchased by Jess and Alison McConnell. After a major refurbishment programme The Robin Hood finally reopened its doors on 2nd May 2002.

Once the pub was up and running, the owners concentrated on commissioning the brewing plant, and finally in October 2002, the first ale was on tap. The Jarrow Brewery was officially opened at The Robin Hood in October 2002 – ironically by former Vaux managing director, Frank Nicholson.

After being voted the Sunderland & South Tyneside CAMRA Pub of the Year 2004 and the North East Regional Pub of the Year in 2005, The Robin Hood had the distinction of being voted runner-up in the CAMRA Champion Pub of Britain 2005.

In 2008 brewery sales outgrew The Robin Hood premises and all brewing was transferred to The Maltings, opposite the Town Hall in South Shields.

Following the transfer of the brewery to South Shields, a multi-purpose music and beer hall was opened in December 2008.

Live entertainment is held every Friday and Sunday evenings. A very popular quiz takes place every Sunday from 4pm

Every first Tuesday of the month the pub hosts a gathering of the North’s finest entertainers for an ‘open mic’ night billed – “First Tuesday Live”

The pub has a choice of three function rooms for private parties.
 

The premises were previously The Chameleon function room and originally the Co-op Dairy.

After major re-development The Maltings was opened in May 2005.

Straight ahead, when entering the building, a door leads through to the brewery where all of Jarrow’s ales are produced.

From the ground floor an impressive staircase leads to The Maltings brewery tap on the first floor.

As well as showcasing the Jarrow Brewery portfolio of ales, The Maltings is a discerning drinkers emporium with 15 handpulls dispensing an ever changing range of guest ales and real ciders.

Leffe, Bitburger, Timmermans Strawberry and Erdinger are all on tap alongside an excellent range of Belgian bottled beers.

The diverse drinking range is complimented by excellent authentic Thai cuisine courtesy of Bel Rungroj from Nakhonsawan