Coast

Between point 6 and point 7 you may be able to see the back of Friary mansion, situated between Friary Street and Moor Terrace.

It was built in the 16th Century on the site of the Franciscan friary, after the friary went out of use.

The boundary of the friary still stands today, and it is hoped that the mansion will be renovated soon. Listen to the link at the top right for more information.

At point 7 on the walk you can see the beacon on the coast, which has been an important feature on the Heugh from the time of Hartlepool's earliest settlers.

Sentries were posted at the beacon during times of conflict, ready to warn the townsfolk of invasions.

The folk tale surrounding the beacon dates back to the Spanish Armada, and is described in the following section from a poem.

No lovely bacon for Hartlepudlians!

"And kept up a constant firing of the beacon,
Beacon - a battery on the Moor,
A little north of Maiden Bower -
Which instead of keeping off invaders
Very much alarmed the coastal traders.
The ship owners soon made a complaint
To Government, who orders sent
That more care of the stores be taken
And no more firing of the beacon;
The schoolmaster read, spelling every word
Then looks at the Major saying "It's from a Lord'
And "Government in their heads have taken,
That there's to be no more frying bacon.'
After studying awhile, exclaimed the Mayor,
I suppose its occassioned by the war.
I shall obey the order like a man,
For I'll take from every house their frying pan."

So, from asking the Mayor to stop lighting the beacon, he ended up ruining the bacon of the townsfolk, although there is no evidence this happened.

The circus is coming to town!

If you carry on walking up the Promenade you will reach  the site of Elephant Rock.

When the tide is low you may be lucky and see the remains of what was once the Elephant Rock.

The rock was a natural formation that looked like an elephant, but unfortunately gave into erosion and collapsed on 10th May 1891.

Apparently the day after the rock finally drifted into the sea, a circus came to town and the people of Hartlepool saw their first live elephant.

From here carry on walking towards point 8 of the walk, and read on to find out what you can see on the way...