In 2011, Elwick Parish Council was invited by an organisation called the Limestone Landscapes Partnership, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to develop what was to become known as the 'Village Atlas".

A Vllage Atlas provides an opportunity to understand the development of where people live. It includes Oral History, maps, archaeology, historic buildings and landscapes and links these with the geology, watercourse and wildlife to help gain an understanding of how the settlement developed and what factors have influenced this.

With the help and guidance of many experts such as the Limestone Landscapes team, Tees Archeaology and officers of Hartlepool Borough Council, a number of villagers invested a great deal of time and effort in this project which took over three years to complete. This has resulted in the production of a book entitled 'The Elwick Village Atlas' which has been given to all households in the Village.

That booklet is published here as the "summary report" which is a very readable way to understand the Village Atlas Project.

For those readers who wish to go into more depth, the papers published under the Historic Environment and Natural Environment are detailed, often scientific descriptions of the work which was done. The whole of the Village Atlas project is lodged in the archives at Hartlepool Central Library and with Tees Archaeology.

Whatever your level of interest, there is a lot to find fascinating about our village and a lot of information to be gleaned. Enjoy!