Hartlepool Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Hartlepool is a charming town located in the northeast of England, within the region of County Durham. With a rich maritime history and a vibrant cultural scene, Hartlepool offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, making it an intriguing destination for travelers.

One of the highlights of Hartlepool is its historic quay, where visitors can step back in time and immerse themselves in the town's seafaring past. The quay is home to the award-winning Hartlepool Maritime Experience, a living museum that recreates an 18th-century seaport. Here, you can explore the historic ships, including the HMS Trincomalee, the oldest warship still afloat in the United Kingdom, and learn about the life of sailors during that era.

For those interested in delving deeper into the town's history, a visit to the Hartlepool Museum is a must. Housed in a former purpose-built Victorian warehouse, the museum showcases the local heritage through a wide range of artifacts, exhibitions, and interactive displays. From the maritime history to the town's involvement in the world wars, this museum offers a comprehensive insight into Hartlepool's past.

Beyond its historical attractions, Hartlepool also boasts beautiful beaches that are perfect for a leisurely stroll or a day of relaxation. Seaton Carew Beach, with its golden sands and picturesque promenade, is a popular spot for both locals and visitors alike. Take in the fresh sea air, enjoy a picnic on the beach, or indulge in some traditional fish and chips from one of the nearby seaside cafes.

In addition to its rich history and scenic beauty, Hartlepool offers a thriving arts and culture scene. The town is home to several art galleries, theaters, and music venues, showcasing a range of performances and exhibitions throughout the year. Whether you're interested in contemporary art, live theater, or local music, there is something to suit every taste in Hartlepool.

Alternative names: Population: 88.9 thous.Elevation: 20 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 54°41'25"N, 1°12'26"W

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EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Hartlepool Top Attractions

Hartlepool Attractions - What to See and Explore

Hartlepool offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Redheugh Gardens War Memorial, HMS Trincomalee, National Museum of the Royal Navy, Heugh lighthouse. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Memorial
Redheugh Gardens War Memorial
Redheugh Gardens War Memorial or Hartlepool War Memorial is a World War I and World War II memorial located in the Headlands of Hartlepool, County Durham, England.
Ship
HMS Trincomalee
HMS Trincomalee is a Royal Navy Leda-class sailing frigate built shortly after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. She is now restored as a museum ship in Hartlepool, England.
Museum • Maritime museum
National Museum of the Royal Navy
The National Museum of the Royal Navy is a maritime exposition and visitor attraction in Hartlepool, County Durham, Northern England. The concept of the attraction is the thematic re-creation of an 18th-century seaport, in the time of Lord Nelson, Napoleon and the Battle of Trafalgar.

Lighthouse • Vernacular architecture
Heugh lighthouse
The Heugh Lighthouse is a navigation light on The Headland in Hartlepool, in north-east England. The current lighthouse dates from 1927; it is owned and operated by PD Ports. It is claimed that its early-Victorian predecessor was the first lighthouse in the world reliably lit by gas.
Ship
PS Wingfield Castle
The PS Wingfield Castle is a former Humber Estuary ferry, now preserved as a museum ship in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. The Wingfield Castle was built by William Gray & Company at Hartlepool, and launched in 1934, along with a sister ship, the Tattershall Castle.
Cemetery
Spion Kop Cemetery
Spion Kop Cemetery, originally known as Hartlepool Cemetery, is a disused cemetery on the coast near Hartlepool in England. It was opened in 1856 to replace St. Hilda's churchyard and designed by John Dobson. The area took its name from the Battle of Spion Kop in 1900 during the Boer War.
Battlefield • Museum • History museum
Heugh Battery
The Heugh Gun Battery is located on the Headland at Hartlepool, Cleveland, England. The museum bills itself as the only battlefield of World War I in Great Britain.
Sacred and religious sites • Church
St Hilda's Church
St Hildas Church is a parish church in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.
Memorial
West Hartlepool War Memorial
West Hartlepool War Memorial or Victory Square War Memorial or Victoria Square Cenotaph is a war memorial in Hartlepool, County Durham, England commemorating those from West Hartlepool who died in World War I and World War II. The war memorial, created in the 1920s, is located on Victoria Road in Hartlepool's Victory Square.
Mosque
Nasir Mosque
Nasir Mosque is the first purpose-built mosque in Hartlepool, located on Brougham Terrace. The mosque was built by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and inaugurated in 2005 by Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Park
Ward Jackson Park
Ward Jackson Park is a municipal park located in Hartlepool, England. It is named after Ralph Ward Jackson, a local industrialist, who founded West Hartlepool in the 19th century.
Lighthouse
Seaton Carew lighthouse
The Seaton Carew lighthouses were a pair of leading light towers built in Seaton Carew to guide ships into the River Tees. The low light was demolished over a century ago and what remained of the high light has been rebuilt in Hartlepool Marina.
History museum • Museum • Maritime museum
Museum of Hartlepool
The Museum of Hartlepool opened in 1996 and is located within the attraction Hartlepool's Maritime Experience. It houses the collections once on display in the Gray Art Gallery and Museum and the Maritime Museum which was on the Headland, Hartlepool, both are now closed. The fine art collections are displayed at Hartlepool Art Gallery.
Monastery
Hartlepool Abbey
Hartlepool Abbey, also known as Heretu Abbey, Hereteu Abbey, Heorthu Abbey or Herutey Abbey, was a Northumbrian monastery founded in 640 CE by Hieu, the first of the saintly recluses of Northumbria, and Aidan of Lindisfarne, on the Headland Estate of Hartlepool now called the Heugh or Old Hartlepool, in County Durham, England.
Town • Area
Seaton Carew
Seaton Carew is a seaside resort in County Durham, North East England, with a population of 6,018. It is on the North Sea coast on the edge of Hartlepool and the mouth of the River Tees.
54°44'4"N • 1°16'36"W
Tweddle Farm
Farm • Zoo
Museum • Art museum
Hartlepool Art Gallery
Hartlepool Art Gallery is an art gallery in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. The gallery opened in 1996. It is located in Church Square within Christ Church, a restored Victorian church, built in 1854 and designed by the architect Edward Buckton Lamb.
54°41'6"N • 1°12'33"W
The Studio
Concerts and shows • Theater
54°40'34"N • 1°11'34"W
Hartlepool Submerged Forest
Hartlepool Submerged Forest is a 19.7 hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in County Durham, England notified in 1988. The site is located to the south of Hartlepool Docks. SSSIs are designated by Natural England, formally English Nature, which uses the 1974–1996 county system.

Day trips

Hartlepool – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Hartlepool, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Northumberland Street (Newcastle upon Tyne), Great North Museum: Hancock (Newcastle upon Tyne), Castle Howard.

25 milesNW
Street, Shopping district, Shopping
Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne
Northumberland Street in Newcastle upon Tyne is a bustling hub of commercial activity and one of the city's prime retail destinations. Stretching from the iconic monument of Earl Grey to the entrance of the historic Eldon Square, this pedestrianized thoroughfare is...
26 milesNW
Museum, Natural history museum, Archaeological museum
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Great North Museum: Hancock is a beacon of history and culture nestled in the bustling city of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. This illustrious institution offers an immersive journey through natural history, archaeology, geology, and world cultures.
41 milesS
Elegant 18th-century house and estate
Castle Howard
Castle Howard, nestled in the heart of North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, is not only a magnificent historical residence but also a museum that provides a window into the opulent world of the British aristocracy. This stately home, with its dramatic architecture...
25 milesNW
Museum, Science museum
Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne
Nestled in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, the Centre for Life is a pioneering science complex that has become a beacon of discovery and education in the North East of England. This interactive museum is dedicated to sparking curiosity in the sciences, with a...
16 milesW
Iconic, vaulted Romanesque building
Durham Cathedral, Durham
Durham Cathedral is a majestic piece of architecture that dominates the skyline of the historic city of Durham in the northeast of England. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, officially known as the Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of...