Coast

Between point 7 and 8 is where the legends lie.

Fairy Cove Terrace marks the location of the "Fairy Coves" which were man-made rock formations, perhaps intended as places of concealment for defence during wars.

They were about five feet in diameter and were situated about twelve feet above the shore.

Fairy Cove received it's name for being the haunt of a mermaid (which can be seen in The Hartlepool Museum), according to local legend.

Another area steeped in legend is Maiden's Bower, which is the name given to the space between Fairy Coves and the mainland.

Maiden's Bower, as the story goes, is the death place of Mary Farthing, a stranger to the area.

Her story was recorded by Sir C Sharpe who tells how she became pregnant to William Stephenson, a merchant of Northallerton, and was then thrown over the edge of Maiden's Bower by her lover.

William Stephenson was later executed for his crime.

Point 8 marks the site of Milbank Forge Victorian ironworks, constructed in the 1850's.

The waste iron was dumped on the beach and one ship, which went aground, blamed the light of the hot slag for the accident; as it was mistaken for a lighthouse.

The iron waste can be seen on the beach.

From this point turn left and go down Penrith Street, at the end of this road turn left again onto Old Cemetery Road.

Carry on along here until you reach Northgate, and follow this road back to point 1. The walk has now finished.

Thank you to everyone involved in the Coast project, especially Robin Daniels, Neil Forcer, Councillor John Marshall, Councillor John Cambridge, the Reverend John Goode and Brian Stringer for taking part in Hidden Hartlepool.