A few years ago, my husband and I made a pilgrimage of sorts to see the Sycamore Gap Tree, a popular landmark in Northern England. Daylight was fading and rain was falling as we made our way along an uncertain path that, thanks to my husband’s keen navigation skills, led us up and down wet hills and slippery footpaths along Hadrian’s Wall until we reached one of the most photographed trees in England. In fact, The Northumberland National Park Authority said the site was its “most-photographed spot.” It is estimated that the tree stood in a dramatic dip in the landscape for at least two centuries.
It was beautiful, and well worth the hard walk in the rain to get there.
Though long sought after by British hikers and photographers, the tree was made internationally famous through the 1991 film, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner, when it earned the nickname “Robin Hood’s Tree.”
We were saddened to learn that this popular landmark has recently been cut down in a heartless, or at least thoughtless, act of vandalism. We join with many others in mourning the tree’s loss.
“Robin Hood’s tree” is no longer standing in the gap, but I am very grateful to have been there while it was.
Have you been there? If not, is there a similar landmark near and dear to your heart?
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I really enjoy your emails
Thank you, Kathryn!
So sad that vandals destroyed the tree! We saw a section of Hadrian’s Wall on our way from Edinburgh to York, England last month, but it was more in ruins than what you saw. I’m glad you got to go before the tree was destroyed.
Thanks, Deb. I sure enjoyed looking at photos of your trip!
That tree was on my bucket list to see.
SIGH. SIGH. SIGH.
So reckless.
I’m so glad you got to see it.
We have a photo of one of the arches in Arches National Park before it felled.
Notre Dame in Paris before the fire.
I’m so glad I got to go to Althorp to see where Princess Diana lived during her childhood. You can still visit, but the Diana exhibits are no longer available as it was stated in her will that the boys inherit her belongings at certain age…rightfully so…
Sorry, Gail. 🙁 I know how much you would have enjoyed seeing it. Glad you’ve been able to see so many other wonderful places!
I stood under that tree in 2013. My emotions were a tangle of anger and grief over what happened to this landmark. So sad.
I read about the tree. Just awful it’s gone.
In 2016 I visited Hadrian’s Wall, however, I went to a different section of it. I remember going into a museum about Britain in the Roman-era and those who were stationed there while in imperial Roman military service. Our tour group had to walk up and down a steep incline through an open field!
Julie, like you I was sad to see the tree destroyed and am glad you got some really great pictures of it while you visited the UK. Thanks for sharing them with us.