Hartlepool Headland

The Headland is the old maritime heart of Hartlepool, a promontory ringed by the sea and studded with the historic Heugh Lighthouse, the surviving town wall and the Heugh Battery, the only First World War coastal battery in Britain that fired on enemy ships. The mix of lighthouse, sea defences, rocky foreshore and the wide sweep of the North Sea gives an unusual and characterful subject, and the open promenade and greens make finding a clear launch spot easy. Because it juts out into the sea you get uninterrupted water horizons in several directions, ideal for clean coastal panoramas and orbits around the lighthouse. It is a working community with roads, a promenade and visitors around the battery museum, so keep away from people, traffic and any crowds at the heritage sites. The rocky shore holds seabirds and the Teesmouth area is important for wildlife, so keep a respectful distance from resting flocks. Durham Tees Valley Airport lies around twenty four kilometres to the south west, well outside its restriction zone. Come at low tide to expose the rock ledges below the lighthouse, and fly early for quiet promenades and soft light on the sea front.