SYCAMORE GAP

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HADRIAN'S WALL - SYCAMORE GAP 

Image of Sycamore Gap at Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland.
(1) Sycamore Gap

WALKING HADRIAN'S WALL  TO - SYCAMORE GAP - 16 SEP 2014

It was a hazy and fairly dull day in late summer when I visited the famous sycamore tree at Hadrian’s Wall. Parking at the viewpoint at Steel Rigg Car Park (near Once Brewed) I first walked west up to the trigpoint above Winshield Crags (2), yes, bagging trigpoints is among my faults. Despite the hazy low cloud I was rewarded with a decent view along the wall from the summit.

Image of the Trigpoint above Winshield Crags at Hadrian's Wall. Great views of the wall to the east from the summit.
(2) Trigpoint at Winshield Crags
Looking East towards Steel Rigg

Retracing my steps eastwards and passing the car park I met my wife and stopped for a quick photo of Steel Rigg (3) & (4). This is the Whin Sill, a layer of igneous rock whose rock face forms a natural barrier that the Romans used to their advantage when constructing the wall.

Image of Steel Rigg cliff face at Hadrian's Wall. Great views to the east along the wall.
(3) Steel Rigg & Peel Crags

Image of the Author and wife Christine at Steel Rigg.
(4) Chris & Myself at Steel Rigg

Sycamore Gap is on the east side of Steel Rigg, just past Milecastle 39. The much-photographed tree (1) grows on the south side of the wall. During my visit, the pink heather was in full bloom and I included it to brighten my image. The place was made famous when scenes from the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (K.Costner & M.Freeman) were shot here.

Image of Sycamore Gap at Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland. The tree is located in a dip between two high cliffs, surround by clusters of pink heather.
(1) Sycamore Gap - Sadly No More

It is very sad that someone saw fit to commit an act of vandalism and fell this lovely tree a few months ago (28 Sep 2023), a spiteful deed that ended hundreds of years of history and denied other generations the opportunity to enjoy this pleasant scene.

Location: Hadrian's Wall, Hexham NE47, UK

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