Founded as a village in the seventh century, around a monastery founded in 640 AD on a headland overlooking a natural harbour, Hartlepool has been a seafaring town since the ninth century. The name derives from Old English “heort-ieg” meaning ‘hart island’ which refers to the stags seen near the pool. During the middle ages, the village grew and gained its Royal Charter in 1201 with markets and walls increasing the size of the old town. The area became heavily industrialised with ironworks established in 1834 and shipyards were later built in the docks. The harbour made a convenient outlet for the coalfields of south County Durham and in 1835 a railway was built to facilitate export. A rival railway was later built in 1847 and docks established in the 1870’s, around which West Hartlepool developed and became a key target for German invasion during the First World War due to the number of ships built there. During the 19th century, the two towns grew in size with West Hartlepool becoming the larger and ‘Old Hartlepool’ known as the ‘headland’. The two boroughs were joined in 1967 making the modern town known today. The town is famous for its monkey-hanging legend, whereon the fishermen of Hartlepool during the Napoleonic Wars in 1805 so fearful of an invasion, questioned and tortured a monkey, the ships mascot, dressed in French army uniform the only survivor from a French ship, which sank off the coast during a storm, apparently having no idea what a Frenchman looked like and believing it to be a spy. The poor creature was hanged from a makeshift gallows when they got no response to their questioning. The depression during the 1930’s hit Hartlepool hard with unemployment high until the start of the Second Wold War, during which the shipbuilding and steelmaking industries re-emerged. The industries again went into severe decline with the last ship built in 1961. The opening of a shopping centre in 1968 boosted the retail sector but in the 1980 the town was again hit by high unemployment. The town is currently undergoing a re-generation project and development of unused land.
Attraction
Hartlepool Art Gallery
HMS Trincomalee
Care Home
Conference Centre
Council
Dentist
Flemings Dental Surgeons
Lambert, Coutts & Associates
Doctor
Dr Brash & Partners
The General Medical Centre
The Health Centre
York Road Surgery
Golf Club
Castle Eden Golf Club
Hartlepool
Holiday Park
Market
Pub and Bar
Solicitor
Taxi
Shops
Chambers Chemist
M Timlin
Stylo Shoes Ltd
First Class
T K Maxx
Box Clothing
Activities
Crimdon Pony World(Riding)
Places to Stay near Hartlepool
York House (0.17 miles)
Situated in the centre of Hartlepool, this 4-star guest house offers comfortable accommodation and good facilities, including free high-speed Wi-Fi wireless internet access. The only guest house in Hartlepool to be awarded 4 stars by the ... More | visit website
Oakroyd (0.21 miles)
Grand Hotel (0.24 miles)
The Grand hotel styled on a chateau, is pivotal to the historic town of Hartlepool. From the imposing Victorian ballroom to the larger than average accommodation, there is so much to ... More
Hillcarter Hotel (0.48 miles)
Close to Hartlepool Marina and directly opposite the train station, the Hillcarter Hotel has well-equipped, comfortable rooms and free Wi-Fi access. Friday and Saturday evenings see the hotel's 2 nightclubs come alive with top-class entertainment ... More | visit website
Premier Inn Hartlepool Marina (0.62 miles)
Conveniently located for Hartlepool train station. For shops and local amenities Hartlepool town centre is only 0.5 miles away. Our Hartlepool Marina Premier Inn has everything you'd expect, incredibly comfy beds in every room and an ... More | visit websiteStaincliffe Hotel (1.66 miles)
With spectacular sea views, walled gardens and a stylish champagne bar, The Staincliffe Hotel is a 5-minute drive from Hartlepool. Situated in Seaton Carew, the hotel offers boutique bedrooms with free Wi-Fi. The bedrooms feature elegant, ... More | visit websiteNorton Hotel (1.79 miles)
Come and stay in warm and friendly run hotel with great sea views. We are close to all major attractions including the beach, the golf course and the cricket club and we're only 5 minutes ... More | visit websiteThe Marine Hotel (2.02 miles)
Trinity House B & B (2.03 miles)
The Windmill (3.38 miles)
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