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The Sycamore Gap, a tree that stood tall within a dip at Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland, was a national treasure. Believed to be over 300 years old, the tree achieved icon status after starring in ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’ in 1991.
Beloved among locals and described as ‘part of the area’s DNA’, the tree had overseen proposals, offered refuge, fostered core childhood memories and was a site where many chose to spread their ashes. Sadly though, the landmark is no more.
This week in an ‘act of vandalism’, the tree was chopped down. Northumberland National Park Authority said that it has ‘reason to believe it has been deliberately felled’ and a 16-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
As you’d expect, a lot of people are angry and upset about the whole thing. Among those mourning was Hairy Biker Si King, who said in a video: ‘I hope whoever has done that has a conscience because you have just murdered a sentinel of time and elemental spirit of Northumberland.’
In honour of the now-befallen tree, here are some pictures of it – in all its mighty, picturesque glory.
Did you see that the world’s most beautiful Unesco site is officially in the UK?
Plus: a fascinating, historic new walking trail has opened in the North York Moors.
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