A Day in Hartlepool: Exploring Haunted Churches, Historic Ships, and Recent Fires with Drone Photography

With the weather looking pretty gloomy for the rest of the week, I took advantage of the sunshine and calm conditions this afternoon, heading towards Hartlepool. And what a day it turned out to be! I managed to visit several locations and capture some fantastic drone shots and video footage. Here's a rundown of the day’s adventure.

Embleton Church, Wynyard: Haunted History

My first stop was Embleton Church, a site that has a reputation for being haunted. This old church, with its weathered stone and quiet, remote setting, has long been the subject of local ghost stories. While I wasn’t brave enough to step onto the grounds myself (it is known for its eerie atmosphere after all), I sent the drone in for a closer look.

The aerial shots and drone video really captured the church's isolated beauty, with the drone hovering above the site and giving a clear view of its haunting architecture. The drone’s perspective added to the mystery of the location, showcasing the church from angles most people rarely get to see.

Odeon Hartlepool Fire: A Site Survey with a Twist

Next up was the Odeon in Hartlepool, which recently suffered a large fire. The site was completely closed off due to the damage, but I wanted to survey the area and capture the aftermath from the air. After explaining what I was doing to a friendly policeman, I was given the green light to continue. Unfortunately, another drone operator wasn’t so cooperative, flying into my airspace and directly over the fire-damaged building, which I had been requested not to do.

Regardless, I still managed to capture some strong drone photos and aerial video of the aftermath, highlighting the extent of the damage. It’s always challenging when others don’t follow safe flying practices, but I’m committed to keeping my drone work safe and responsible, so I cut my session short.

HMS Trincomalee: Hartlepool’s Maritime History

No trip to Hartlepool is complete without capturing some images of HMS Trincomalee, a stunning 19th-century warship docked at the historic Hartlepool Marina. Built in 1817, she is the oldest British warship still afloat, and her rich maritime history is a must-see for anyone visiting the area.

However, today’s visit wasn’t without its challenges. With various buildings around the ship and sections of the marina closed off due to construction, getting a perfect shot proved tricky. While I’m not entirely happy with the results, the aerial video and drone photos I managed to capture do highlight the beauty and historic importance of the ship, even if I didn’t get quite the angle I wanted.

Seaton Carew High Light: A Beacon with History

Next, I headed over to Seaton Carew High Light, a lighthouse that once guided ships into the safety of Hartlepool's harbour. This historic lighthouse was constructed in the early 19th century and is an iconic part of Hartlepool’s maritime past.

I managed to capture some great aerial photos and drone video, which highlighted the lighthouse's tall, slender form against the backdrop of the marina. The drone shots offered a unique perspective of this historic beacon, showing its relation to the surrounding landscape and giving a new appreciation for its role in the area's maritime history.

Steetley Pier: Perfect Conditions, Almost

Finally, I arrived at Steetley Pier, a place I’ve wanted to shoot for a while. This old industrial pier stretches out into the sea and was once part of a magnesium works. Today, it's an atmospheric, photogenic spot with an industrial edge. The weather was perfect—calm seas, soft light, and clear skies, ideal for drone photography and videography.

I managed to capture some excellent aerial shots of the pier, with the still water reflecting the structure beautifully. While I was there, I tried to capture some footage of a surfer attempting to catch a wave. Of course, he caught a brilliant one just after I brought the drone back due to low battery—typical timing! But I did get some great shots of the pier, which I’m really excited to edit and share.

Wrapping Up the Day

With the weather looking bleak for the rest of the week, it's the perfect time to get stuck into editing all the content I captured today. From the haunting beauty of Embleton Church to the maritime history of HMS Trincomalee and Seaton Carew High Light, it’s been a day full of unique perspectives and drone adventures. I can't wait to share the results with you all—stay tuned for more!