Situated on the North East Coast of Britain 24 miles south of Newcastle, is Hartlepool, whose proximity to the North Sea has made it a target of war, twice in its recorded history. Its harbour has seen the crusader fleets of King John before it was granted a charter in 1201 and on 16 December 1914, 128 people were killed and four hundred were wounded when German destroyers shelled the town in what was the first engagement of World War I on British soil. The town was redeveloped in the latter part of the twentieth century, and today over half the buildings in Hartlepool were built in this period.

Although its shipyard closed in 1962, it has been replaced by a beautiful fish quay and marina for pleasure sailors, and remains an important port, which has proved a popular attraction with visitors. The Quay is also home to the Wingford Castle Paddle Streamer and HMS Trincomalee, the oldest British warship still afloat Other enjoyable days out in the area include Whitby Abbey, founded by St Hilda and the Angel of the North landmark at the entrance to Tyneside which greets visitors with its open arms of steel.