Fairy Cove Gun Battery, Hartlepool Headland

Image: © Andrew Curtis Taken: 4 Dec 2009

This was the site of the original Victorian Battery at Fairy Cove. Guns were first sited here around 1740 to protect Hartlepool's northern approach. In 1860, three new batteries were built: Lighthouse, Heugh and Fairy Cove. Barracks were also built in the style of a small castle on the other side of Sea View Terrace, now replaced by houses. Much of the original site has disappeared due to cliff erosion and building of the promenade. The site remained in military use in the 20th Century and held a small range finder for the town's new 6 inch breech-loading batteries. The 4.5 inch naval gun here now was used during the Second World War in a dual coastal and anti-aircraft role, one of 16 placed in batteries around Hartlepool. It could fire 54lb high explosive shells at a rate of 8 rounds per minute. Fairy Cove takes its name from both natural and man-made caves found in this area and possibly used by smugglers.

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