The Museum of Hartlepool is a treasured local museum that showcases the rich history and heritage of the region. PS Wingfield Castle, a nationally significant paddle steamer, is the highlight of the collection and holds immense historical value to the local community. Our museum is housed in a purpose-built building adjacent to the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool located on the historic Jackson’s Dock. We showcase life in Hartlepool through the ages, with artefacts and exhibitions focusing on key events over 5,000 years, which includes a poignant First World War poppy memorial.
Explore toys that are more than a century old, see Anglo-Saxon jewellery or even try on a medieval gown or Victorian jacket. The museums tells a story of a past packed with exciting people! As you enter, you are taken right back to the Bronze Age to meet Hartlepool’s oldest man. From there, as you move through the centuries, you’ll see sea monsters and learn about the legend of the Hartlepool monkey. You can climb aboard a real fishing cobble, theThree Brothers Grant, and you can turn on the first gas illuminated lighthouse.
Tides of Change Project
The Tides of Change project will see history meet innovation on Hartlepool’s waterfront. Our mission is clear: to breathe new life into the dockside museum site and transform it into a vibrant hub of culture and heritage.
Concept design of the redeveloped museum, exterior and interior.
At the heart of this project lies the Museum of Hartlepool and the iconic PS Wingfield Castle, symbols of our rich industrial and maritime legacy. Together with the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool and Tees Valley Combined Authority, we’re embarking on a £52 million regeneration project to revitalise this historic landscape.
Concept design of the restored PS Wingfield Castle.
Through a thoughtful redesign, we’re creating a space that welcomes all, with improved access, enhanced exhibition areas, and engaging learning facilities. The restoration of PS Wingfield Castle stands as a testament to our commitment to preserving our maritime heritage for future generations to enjoy. Community participation is central to the project, and we aim to provide opportunities for involvement in heritage projects, workshops, and engaging activities in the near future.
The PS Wingfield Castle is a former Humber Estuary ferry, now preserved as a museum ship in Hartlepool, England. The Wingfield Castle was built by William Gray & Company at Hartlepool, and launched in 1934, along with a sister ship, the Tattershall Castle. The PS Wingfield Castle is a significant piece of shipbuilding heritage and is recognised as part of the National Historic Fleet. This status identifies Wingfield Castle as being of pre-eminent national or regional significance and meriting a higher priority for long term conservation.
PS Wingfield Castle, 1934 paddle steamer ferry, Jackson's Dock.
The Wingfield Castle Restoration work has now been established and will be split into three phases. The first of these phases being the emergency works that took place in 2023/24 to safeguard the vessel, and the following stages being required for fuller restoration.
- Phase 1 – Emergency Works
- Phase 2 – Interim Repairs
- Phase 3 – Conservation and Repair
Project Update
Phase 1 of the emergency works have now been completed, enabling engineers to board the vessel and carryout final surveys before the commencement of the phase 2 works. Find out more on the phase 1 repairs here.
Next Stage in the Project
Next steps will be to appoint a design team for the latter phases and coordinate the project.
Find out more about the Museum of Hartlepool:
www.culturehartlepool.com/museum-of-hartlepool
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