About Summerhill

Summerhill is a unique Country Park on the western edge of Hartlepool that since 1997 has been transformed for conservation and outdoor sports. The 100-acre site owned and managed by Hartlepool Borough Council was developed from a network of 8 fields in low-grade agriculture to create a Primary Gateway site in the Tees Community Forest.

Recently  further excavations at what we call the wetland scrape (near to the Rift House entrance) have been completed.  This is intended to improve the wetland for amphibians and to create pond dipping walkways.  We will also be establishing a filter reed bed in the pond by the Visitor Centre to help improve its water quality and also clearing some of the taller trees beneath the power line that goes across the site.

Conservation at Summerhill
Summerhill is essentially a new woodland with over half of the site being given over to new tree planting. In total over 90,000 trees have been planted creating different woodland types from primary woodland of ash and oak to coppice stands of hazel. It is not all trees however. Areas of Summerhill have also been given over to meadows, marshes and wetlands. Additionally we have preserved and maintain the historical network of hedges – the most valuable existing habitat. We also manage and preserve sites of archaeological interest most notably the Iron Age/Romano British site of ‘Catcote Village’. In recognition of its increasing value for nature conservation Summerhill was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 2003.

Outdoor sports at Summerhill
Summerhill is rightly recognised as a major ‘outdoor sport centre’. The sports of walking, cycling, horse riding, exercise and fitness, orienteering, cross-country running, archery and rock climbing are catered for at Summerhill. Key features include a Boulder Park, BMX course, multi-access routes and two play areas.

Summerhill has a Visitor Centre and is an excellent venue for a wide range of meetings and events. The team based at the Visitor Centre also run regular activity programmes for schools, community groups, businesses and the general public.

The Longscar Sound Beacon

The Longscar beacon is a solar-powered, self-sustaining sound installation. When approached a movement sensor triggers the playing of the song 'I'll be watching the shore'. It is located a 15 minute walk past the Visitor centre, past the BMX track and left up the hill. From the Longscar beacon you can see the coast line as well as the church tower of Hartlepool, the Teesside chemical plants and the edge of the North Yorkshire moors. The eeriness of the song and it's position in the landscape enable the visitor to enter a different space: gazing at the horizon and thinking of new departures for the area and our time.

CONTACT DETAILS
Summerhill Visitor Centre,
Summerhill Lane,
Hartlepool
TS25 4LL

Tel: (01429) 284584
Fax: (01429) 284585
Email: summerhill@hartlepool.gov.uk

Website: www.sunnysummerhill.com

I have some pictures from in and around Summerhill. To see them, please click here: