Hartlepool, England
Monkey Hangers-on-Sea
"We definitely did not hang a monkey (allegedly)"
Official Coat of Arms
A shield bearing a bewildered monkey rampant, flanked by the mast of HMS Trincomalee and a North Sea gale rendered in heraldic grey. Below, a banner reads 'Nil Carpimus' — 'We Did Not Do It.'
TripAdvisor Review
★★★☆☆ 3/5
"Came for the marina, stayed because my car wouldn't start near the Historic Quay. The Museum of Hartlepool is genuinely charming and the tale of the hanged monkey is worth the trip alone, but the town centre has seen better decades. Headland views are lovely on the rare sunny day, and the fish and chips near the front were excellent. Would visit again but bring a jacket and low expectations for the high street."— Barry Cuddleworth, Scunthorpe
Property Listing
A rare coastal gem offering unparalleled sea views, a rich maritime heritage, and a town centre currently 'in transition' (translation: several units are empty but the marina is genuinely stunning). Perfect for buyers who want Headland charm at prices that haven't caught up with the rest of the country yet.
Twinned With
Innsmouth — Both are proud, windswept coastal towns with a slightly suspicious relationship with visiting primates and the sea.
Supporting Evidence
Local legend holds that during the Napoleonic Wars, townsfolk found a shipwrecked monkey dressed in a French uniform and, having never seen a Frenchman, hanged it as a spy — giving Hartlepool United's mascot 'H'Angus the Monkey' its name to this day.