Many will recognise it as they drive by Hadrian’s Wall, but why is it so famous and what happened to the iconic tree? – here’s everything you need to know.

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Where was the Sycamore Gap tree?

The 70ft-tall Sycamore Gap tree was located along Hadrian’s wall.

It stood near Crag Lough in Northumberland and could be found in a dramatic dip, with Roman Milecastle 39, known as Castle Nick, just to its left.

The tree, which has inspired its own beer in the nearby Twice Brewed Inn, was described as one of the most photographed in the country and was awarded tree of the year in 2016.

How old was the Sycamore Gap tree?

It is not known exactly how old the Sycamore Gap tree was.

According to reports, the tree was estimated to have been several hundred years old and would have originally stood alongside a number of other trees.

What happened to the Sycamore Gap tree?

On September 28, 2023, it was reported that the world famous tree had been chopped down by a mystery vandal.

It is believed that the tree was cut down deliberately.

The public have since been asked not to visit the highly-recognisable landmark until the details of what has happened have been identified and in order to ensure the site’s saftey.

A Northumberland National Park Authority spokesperson said: “We can confirm that sadly, the famous tree at Sycamore Gap has come down over night.

“We have reason to believe it has been deliberately felled.

“It is not clear currently whether the tree is a victim of Storm Agnes or it is a deliberate act – though pictures indicate a clean and straight cut.

“We are working with the relevant agencies and partners with an interest in this iconic North East landmark and will issue more details once they are known.

“Sycamore Gap was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016 in the Woodland Trust’s awards and is much-loved by people from across the world.

“Northumberland National Park Authority would like to ask the public not to visit the site at this time whilst we work with our partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe.”

Northumbria Police have now launched a full investigation and are carrying out a number of enquiries ”to establish whether criminal offences have been committed”.

Was the Sycamore Gap tree in the Robin Hood film?

As mentioned above, the highly-photographed tree featured in a Hollywood blockbuster.

The Sycamore Gap tree, also known as the Robin Hood tree, notably appeared in the 1991 movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.