Hartlepool Dock and Railway Company built a railway to Haswell in the 1830s to bring coal down to Hartlepool from inland collieries. The line "met" the Durham and Sunderland Railway at Haswell, but at right angles and there were two stations. The lines were joined with a curve by the North Eastern Railway in the 1870s. It was closed in the 1960s and is now the Haswell to Hart Countryside Walkway. The rideable length is 8.74 miles. It is managed by the Countryside Team and Volunteers and contains a mosaic of habitats including woodland, butterfly glades and ponds. From South Hetton it is rideable on horse back as far as just south of Hesleden Hall at Grid ref NZ 4650 3722 where there is a pinch gate. There is exit/access from a lane north west of that grid ref near Monk Hesleden (NZ 4532 3743), the lane crossing the path and going between Lower Hesleden Farm and Higher Hesleden. See page link Ryhope to Seaham. Grid Ref: NZ 384 453 South Hetton (- Joins a bridle path going north east and access to the route to Ryhope.) Parking in old station. Grid Ref: NZ 453 374 Near Monk Hesleden. Possible parking in village. **We enquired about horse access and were told there there was open access round pinch gates except the one south east of Monk Hesleden. https://www.enjoyteesvalley.com/things-to-do/hart-to-haswell-walkway-local-nature- reserve-p560951

Haswell to Hart - pond near Hesledon © Copyright Roger Smith and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Haswell to Hart Countryside Walk - Boardwalk © Copyright Trevor Littlewood and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Haswell to Hart Countryside Walk near Heads Hope (no barrier for horses!) © Copyright Roger Smith and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Haswell to Hart Countryside Walk © Copyright Carol Rose and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.