St Hilda's Church to Hart Station, Way of Love
The Way of Love is one of the Northern Saints' Trails and begins at the historic church of St Hilda's on Hartlepool Headland and finishes at Durham Cathedral. This first stage follows the England Coast Path/Durham Heritage Coast from Hartlepool Headland to the outskirts of Hart Station providing history and stunning views across the North Sea.
A
Headland walk
posted on 22/08/22 by sarahhcfe. Last update : 22/08/22
Description
(S) From St Hilda's Church, cross Church Walk and walk down Croft Terrace (south) to the seafront.
(1) Turn left at the pub and pause at the statue of Andy Capp, then continue walking around the headland (southeast then east).
(2) At the paddling pool and Heugh Breakwater, the path turns northeast. Continue to follow the promenade past the war memorial beyond the road.
(3) At the Heugh Battery Museum, the path turns northwest and the promenade runs parallel to Marine Drive.
(4) At the end of Marine Drive, take the steps up onto the open grassed area and walk across the grassed area to Butterstone Avenue. Alternative Route: This land is earmarked for development, if development is underway, follow the tarmac footpath to Old Cemetery Road and then turn right to rejoin the path.
(5) Shortly after joining Butterstone Drive, take the path to your right pass Steetley Pier and continue walking in a northwesterly direction around the headland and onto the dunes at the start of Crimdon Beach. The golf course will be on your left.
(6) On reaching the path junction, turn left heading inland and then turn right towards the club house. The path may be difficult to follow and you should be mindful of the golfers on the course. Follow the path in a northwesterly direction.
(7) When you reach the far northeast corner of the golf course, go down the steps and across the footbridge, taking the path to your left at the far side of the footbridge and go up the steps. This will meet the Durham Coast Path, turn left (south) onto the wide footpath.
(8) When you reach the railway line, turn left and follow the railway line for a short distance and then cross the bridge. At the far side of the bridge turn left and walk to the Hart to Haswell Walkway information board. Exit the walkway and turn right into Hartville Road. Walk along Hartville Road until you reach Easington Road (A1086). To continue to the next stage of the walk cross the road, otherwise catch the bus back to the start of the walk (E).
Waypoints
- S : km 0 - alt. 12 m - St Hilda's Church
- 1 : km 0.15 - alt. 5 m - Andy Capp Statue
- 2 : km 0.55 - alt. 8 m - Paddling Pool
- 3 : km 0.8 - alt. 1 m - Heugh Battery
- 4 : km 2.56 - alt. 7 m - End of Marine Drive/Steps
- 5 : km 3.74 - alt. 19 m - Steetley Pier
- 6 : km 5.3 - alt. 6 m - Path Junction
- 7 : km 6.36 - alt. 9 m - Bridge
- 8 : km 7.11 - alt. 33 m - Railway Line
- E : km 7.57 - alt. 38 m - Easington Road, Hart Station
Useful Information
Transport: There is parking next to St Hilda's Church and on the promenade on the Headland. There is also parking in the residential streets around Hartville and Ocean Road in Hart Station, but please don't block any driveways. To return to the start, take bus 23/24 to Victoria Road/Grand Hotel in Hartlepool and then change to bus 7 to the Town Square next to St Hilda's Church. If you are catching the train, to Hartlepool cross the road from the Interchange to Victoria Road to catch the buses.
Facilities: There are public toilets at Town Square near the bus stop next to St Hilda's Church and at the Heugh Battery. Cafes can be found around Hartlepool Headland and in the town centre if changing buses.
Accessibility: There are steps and uneven sand dunes along this walk so it is not very accessible. To complete the walk via an alternative route, after (5) Steetley Pier, turn left at the end of Butterstone Drive and go under the railway (there is a squeeze gate at the other end which may be impassable by wheelchair, then turn right and follow Bruntoft Avenue/King Oswey Drive to Easington Drive.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
- St Hilda's Church - learn about the Abbess of Hartlepool.
- Andy Capp Statue - learn about the little rascal.
- Heugh Battery Museum - learn about the Hartlepool Bombardment in WWI.
- Hartlepool Historic Headland
- Steetley Pier
- Crimdon Dene - a side trip at the end of the walk, it is also possible to park here.
