WELCOME TO
The Duke
Whether you're stopping by for a leisurely lunch or settling in for an evening of live music, every visit to The Duke of Cleveland feels special. With locally sourced dishes and sea views, The Duke is the ultimate setting to gather, toast and unwind.
Fine Dining
Great food, crafted drinks, and memorable moments. From casual lunches to formal dinners, explore our menus and reserve your table.
Wedded Bliss
Your 'happy ever after' begins here. From wedding ceremony to evening celebration, explore our wedding spaces and start planning your perfect day.
Live Performances
From intimate acoustic sets to high-energy gigs, experience the region's best live performances. Check out who’s playing next and secure your spot.
WEDDINGS
Happy Ever After
Nestled in historic Old Hartlepool, directly opposite the near-thousand-year-old Church of St Hilda, we offer a breathtakingly romantic wedding venue. Set upon The Headland, a peninsula fringed by golden sands and sweeping sea views, we offer an enchanting backdrop for the first chapter of your 'happy ever after'. Fully licensed for both your ceremony and reception, you can host your entire day under one roof. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand affair, our dedicated team handles every detail, ensuring your day unfolds with effortless charm and elegance.
DINING
Fresh and Local
From seasonal classics to daily specials, we take pride in serving honest, delicious food made with fresh, local ingredients sourced right on our doorstep. Take a look at our menus to the side or click below to explore what we have to offer.
Stunning Spaces
We offer three versatile event spaces to suit everything from business meetings and private dining to grand celebrations. For weddings, all three spaces can be hired together to give you complete privacy and a seamless flow across your day. Contact our team to discuss your options.
The Powlett
- Ground Floor
Spacious and fully carpeted, our ground-floor Powlett Suite provides step-free accessibility for all your guests. Designed for larger celebrations and events, this room includes its own fully stocked bar. From daytime hosting to evening festivities, the Powlett remains one of our most versatile and popular spaces.
The Russell
- First Floor
Located on the first floor, our grand suite offers generous space, natural light, and coastal views. Featuring a polished wooden floor and a private fully stocked bar, it is ideal for larger weddings. The space adapts effortlessly, moving seamlessly from your ceremony to an evening on the dance floor.
The Blue Room
- First Floor
Designed for smaller gatherings, our first-floor Blue Room showcases historic character and original 18th-century features. Carpeted throughout with plush, comfortable seating, the room offers privacy and elevated views. It is ideal for ceremonies, private dining, small celebrations, and meetings.
ABOUT US
The Headland
Steeped in history, The Headland is the historic heart of Hartlepool. At its centre stands St Hilda’s Church, with a religious heritage dating back to the 7th century. With its ancient town walls, quiet streets, and relaxed coastal atmosphere, The Headland offers a distinct setting rooted in centuries of legend and maritime history.
Beyond The Headland, the wider town of Hartlepool is a welcoming coastal destination with deep naval traditions. Visit Hartlepool Marina, the National Museum of the Royal Navy and Highlight, the town's new multi-million pound leisure facility on The Waterfront.
REVIEWS
Fantastic Venue
We recently had our wedding here and it was amazing. We had a fantastic experience at the venue and couldn't have been happier with how everything went. The food was excellent, and really good value for money. There was also a good choice of beers and drinks available, which was a great bonus.
The staff were incredibly helpful, friendly and professional throughout, making sure everything ran smoothly and that we were well looked after. Nothing was too much trouble, and their service really helped make our special day even better.
Overall, a fantastic venue with great food, excellent service and brilliant value for money. We would definitely recommend it!
Our Story
ACCOMMODATION
Home From Home
No. 20 is an historic building dating back to 1827. It was bombed on 16th December 1914 during an attack by 3 leading warships. The house was rebuilt in subsequent years, and has now been fully restored as a luxury 4 story, 4 bedroomed residence sleeping 8 people.
The property has appeared in the popular television series Vera, with many local attractions and pubs also used as filming locations.
- 8 People
- Four Floors
- Wifi, free parking, sea view, pets allowed
Frequently Asked Questions
What dining options are available at The Duke of Cleveland?
Our main menu brings together coastal favourites, comforting classics, and seasonal dishes made to satisfy every craving.
Inspired by our location, our seafood selection features golden scampi, handcrafted fish cakes, and fresh North Sea haddock. For true comfort food, enjoy timeless favourites like rich lasagne, aromatic tikka masala, and thick-cut gammon steak, alongside prime steaks, tender lamb, and gourmet burgers. We’re also proud to serve our celebrated local speciality... the classic Parmesan.
Sunday Roasts & Indulgent Treats
Join us every Sunday for a traditional feast featuring slow-roasted beef, loin of pork, or succulent chicken breast, with delicious vegetarian options available across all our menus. Save room for dessert, where classic sticky toffee pudding sits alongside our decadent, modern creations loaded with Kinder Bueno, Snickers, or Biscoff.
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What is The Headland?
It’s less a question of what The Headland is, and more a question of where. Jutting directly into the North Sea, The Headland is the dramatic, wind-swept peninsula that forms the historic heart, or "Old Town", of Hartlepool. Enclosed by rugged sea walls and sweeping coastal views, it serves as the ancient maritime soul of the town, housing centuries of rich history within a proud, tight-knit community.
The roots of The Headland stretch back to AD 640, when St Bega founded a monastery on the peninsula, later governed by St Hilda. Today, the majestic 12th-century St Hilda’s Church still dominates the local skyline as a landmark of that early Christian heritage. Beyond its monastic origin, the area holds immense military significance; it is home to the Heugh Battery, famous as the site of the only shore battery in Britain to fire back at German battlecruisers during the devastating WWI Bombardment of 1914.
Built on generations of fishing and shipbuilding traditions, The Headland remains defined by its deep connection to the sea. With its historic town walls, characterful streets, and scenic seafront promenade overlooking Hartlepool Bay.
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Do you host weddings?
We offer three distinct wedding spaces designed to suit celebrations of every size and style, taking you effortlessly from your ceremony to your evening reception. Looking to celebrate outdoors? We also offer the option to erect an outside marquee, giving you the option of a memorable al fresco event.
We can also help organise your special day, so that you can better relax knowing much of the organisation has been done for you,. We help with room decoration, celebrants, musicians, photography and even accommodation.
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Do you host other events?
Yes, we host a variety of events including christenings and naming ceremonies, engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, meetings, conferences and work functions. Contact our team to discuss your requirements.
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