Spion Kop
Spion Kop is a historic cemetery and designated Local Nature Reserve, located on Old Cemetery Road on Hartlepool’s Headland. It was designed in 1856 by renowned architect John Dobson and formed from a mix of sand dunes and ship ballast.
The cemetery is the final resting place of around 26,300 people, including many notable residents of the Headland. Although burials still take place on a limited basis, the site is now managed to support both its heritage and natural value.
Unique habitats
Spion Kop Cemetery Local Nature Reserve provides an unusual mix of coastal, limestone and industrial heritage habitats. The majority of the site has a dry, alkaline, nutrient-poor, sandy soil with low humus content. This has led to the development of coastal grassland vegetation that is unique in Hartlepool, and uncommon over the Tees Valley area.
Flora and fauna
Notable flowers include thrift, pyramidal orchid and lesser meadow rue. The natural sward is relatively low, up to about 30cm, and is characterised by fine-leaved grasses. The site is also important for invertebrates and birds and skylarks, breed on the site.
Conservation management
Since 2003, the site has been managed with nature in mind. Grassland areas are cut only once a year, at the end of the flowering season, and the cuttings are removed to maintain soil quality.
In 2004, Spion Kop was officially designated as a Local Nature Reserve and continues to be managed for conservation and biodiversity.