Between Sunderland And Middlesbrough Is A Scenic Coastal Town With Beaches, Antique Shops, And Fishing Piers

Standing firm against the North Sea, the town of Hartlepool is way up north on England's east coast. It's a quintessential oceanfront community, steeped in history and brimming with seaside gems. Hartlepool sits at the top of an arching bay, sheltered by a small peninsula. That's where the original town was located, and a monastery was founded back in the A.D. 640s. Maritime heritage and millennia of history define Hartlepool, and the town's roots are on display in multiple museums, the most iconic of which is Royal Navy Museums Hartlepool, with its 18th century port and historic warship, HMS Trincomalee.

Hartlepool is an easy town to wander. Colorful buildings line the harbor promenade, and piers stretch out into the sea for fishing. Dozens of boats sway at slips, while restaurants and cozy, traditional pubs surround the marina. In either direction along the coast, there are sandy beaches just outside of town that make Hartlepool an ideal summer getaway.

Located 40 minutes south of Sunderland or 30 minutes north of Middlesbrough — which has an international airport – Hartlepool is easy to reach by car or public transport. As a town of nearly 100,000 residents, finding accommodation is simple.

History emanates throughout Hartlepool, and it's a great town to stroll, particularly along the seafront. The old-town Headland neighborhood on the peninsula has a number of historic sites, such as St. Hilda's Church, a monastery from the seventh century. Nearby, Heugh Battery Museum is a restored 19th century coastal defense outpost that was part of a ship-to-shore battle in World War I. It features a barracks room, artillery guns, and an observation tower. Royal Navy Museums Hartlepool offers an even more immersive experience. From demonstrations by staff to hands-on activities and climbing aboard HMS Trincomalee — one of the world's oldest warships that's still floating — the museum gives visitors all the vibes and action of an 18th century port.

Another perk of Royal Navy Museums Hartlepool is that it's on the waterfront near the marina, a part of Hartlepool ringed with eateries and terraces for sunny days. There are Thai restaurants, pizzerias, and classic English pubs such as The Jacksons Wharf, which serves beef pies and fish and chips to views of the sailing warship. Portofino, a locally-owned spot near the sea, has a 4.5-star rating on Google and was a Traveler's Choice 2025 winner on Tripadvisor. It serves Mediterranean-style cuisine, which many reviewers praise for its value. 

Downtown Hartlepool also has plenty of boutiques. Small retail centers have chain stores and coffee places, while charming antique shops are full of one-of-a-kind treasures. Kiwi Trading is filled to the brim with everything imaginable, from furniture to home accessories and a selection of vinyl. A few blocks away, Needful Things has racks of vintage clothing and a wall of used books.

From a long walk along the promenade to relaxing days at the beach, there are many ways to enjoy Hartlepool's oceanfront. You can paddleboard off the shore for a different view of the city, or charter a boat for an afternoon of fishing. If you've brought fishing gear that can go on vacation, Hartlepool's many piers are the perfect places to cast lines. The catch varies by season and can include cod, whiting, bass, and more (checking the tide beforehand is also key). A good place to start is a local shop such as Friarage Tackle And Bait for advice and missing equipment, and then it's a matter of choosing a spot. Pilot Pier and the longer Heugh Breakwater are popular and only a few blocks from the bait shop. Alternatively, North Gare Pier sits at the mouth of the River Tees just south of town. Google reviewers praise it for mackerel fishing.

Many beaches line England's coastline just outside of Hartlepool. Crimdon Dene Beach is less than a 10-minute drive north of the town. It's a long stretch of windswept dunes, with a 2,000-foot decommissioned Steetley Pier – a historic, industrial structure that was formerly used by a magnesite plant. While it's not for walking, it is hauntingly picturesque. Farther north, there are more beautiful stops such as Blackhall Rocks Beach and Seaham, a coastal town with beaches and scenic cliffs.

Seaton Carew Beach is 3 miles south of downtown Hartlepool, and it has rentable beach huts, ice cream spots, and rolling dunes to explore. An hour and 15 minutes' drive south is Whitby, an eerie town with cliffs so haunting it inspired Bram Stoker to write "Dracula."