Museum of Hartlepool

Located in Jackson Dock, on Maritime Avenue, the Museum of Hartlepool is more than just a maritime museum. Over time it has evolved, absorbing several predecessors, and it now serves as a rich repository of Hartlepool’s story — sea, land, legend, art and people.

The museum as it stands opened in 1996, consolidating collections from the Gray Art Gallery & Museum and the former Maritime Museum.  Its maritime legacy ties into Hartlepool’s long history as a coastal port, shipbuilding and fishing centre.

One prominent part of that history is The Heugh Lighthouse: The original lighthouse, built in 1847 by Stephen Robinson, was the first in Britain reliably lit by gas. The optic (lenses and lamp array) made by Swinburnes of Newcastle has been preserved and is now displayed in the Museum. The optic operated until it was dismantled during the First World War because it stood in the line of fire of military batteries. 

There are also associated items: logbooks from lighthouse operation, and visitor registers within the collection.

Other collections beyond the lighthouse optic and the maritime items include:

The PS Wingfield Castle, a paddle steamer built in 1934 that once ferried passengers across the Humber, which is preserved as a floating exhibit in Jackson Dock. It also houses a café.  

Real coble boats (traditional local fishing/sea craft) that visitors can see, and in some cases climb upon.

Ship models, engine displays, and other objects reflecting shipbuilding, seafaring, navigation, and fishing life. 

Local folklore and legends are represented, such as the Monkey Legend, which is famous in Hartlepool. It explains why people from Hartlepool are sometimes called “Monkey huggers” (or “Monkey-hangers”).

Exhibits tracing everyday life and work: shipbuilding, fishing, local trade, and photographic and archival projects showing people’s lives over the decades. 

Though the main art collection (fine art & decorative art) is housed mainly at Hartlepool Art Gallery, there is an overlap and shared heritage. Themes include local landscapes, maritime scenes, portraiture, and events.  

The Museum and the Art Gallery run temporary exhibitions, regional and national items and special displays. For example, maritime art, ship portraits, and local history photography.

Alongside the Museum of Hartlepool is the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool (often simply “Historic Quay” / “Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience”) at the dock/quay area. This includes HMS Trincomalee, an 1817 Royal Navy frigate (still afloat), period shops, house reconstructions, and interactive exhibits.

Within the harbour and marina are two further lighthouses: Pilot Pier Lighthouse at the entrance to the harbour and the former Seaton Carew Lighthouse, which is now a memorial within the marina.

The Heugh Lighthouse is close by on the headland, and alongside is the Heugh Battery Museum, an artillery battery built in 1860, which fired in anger during WWI (bombardment of Hartlepool). The museum houses guns, artillery, underground magazines, and an observation tower.