Sycamore Gap - Why did they do it?

Sycamore Gap - Why did they do it?

When I first visited Sycamore Gap I had lived in the North-East for over twenty five years. I don’t know what took me so long, especially when I finally stood beneath the branches of the sycamore tree and saw just how glorious it was. I suppose it is just one of those things which you always plan and never get round to. I’m glad I finally made the journey in August 2023 and got to see what all the fuss was about. Three weeks later, the tree was gone, as were our plans to return each year to recapture the sense of wonder which I think we all felt that day. It still seems irrational to feel such an attachment to a place after just one brief visit, but I know it’s a feeling a lot of people share. As the saying goes, ‘you had to be there’.

Heading to the Gap I fet like I was going to see an old friend only to find a space where she should have been.

When it comes to asking where I stand on the matter, I’m one of those who sees the felling of the sycamore tree as an immeasurable loss to future generations who will never get to enjoy it. When I hear of some keyboard warrior or some incredulous Tik-Tok troll sneering that it was ‘only a tree’, I just think, ‘well, no it wasn’t’. But, without being soppy or sentimental, what was it about this tree that was special in some way? I think we feel inclined to project ideas on to our landmarks but it seems significant on one level that the tree really shouldn’t have been there in the first place. We know that sycamore trees really don’t thrive in exposed areas, and you couldn’t get much more exposed than this fairly bleak stretch of Hadrian’s Wall. It’s not really surprising that the tree was seen by a lot of people as an image of resilience or endurance, something that survives against all the odds. More than just a tree.

Whenever I see this image I am reminded of the wind through the leaves, and wrapping my arms around the hug trunk of the tree. And feeling healed by this wonder of the nature 

When we visited Sycamore Gap we very nearly didn’t make it. We’d made the mistake of parking at the The Sill visitor centre to the east, rather than the much closer Steel Rigg car park. After being told that it was only a short walk away and finding that it actually wasn’t, we soon found that our lovely teenager’s patience was wearing thin. There were moments when we considered turning around and going back to the car. To make matters worse, my husband was adamant that he knew the quickest route, and insisted we follow his lead. He was wrong, of course, but he can’t be told. On the verge of doing an about-face, we finally came up to a steep bank from which you could just glimpse the familiar treetop over the crest of the bank, and had a lovely feeling of ‘well, there it is’. Luckily for us it was late in the afternoon, and we found, walking down into this lovely natural amphitheatre in the golden afternoon light, that we had the place all to ourselves. 

Although we took a longer route theer were some beautiful views and this was one of my favourites. As a photograper I was totally inspired and in awe of the landscape.

Looking back now, it seems strange to remember the sense of calm that we all felt there. Our youngest had been having a difficult time of it for quite a while and often struggled in unfamiliar places, but it was noticeable how at peace they suddenly were when we finally arrived at Sycamore Gap. The place seemed to have a calming effect on them, and it was no surprise when they asked if they could stay for longer. We prolonged our visit, pottered up and down the banks and took in the tree and the wonderful setting from every possible angle. When we eventually headed off back to the car, it was with an assumption that it wouldn’t be long before we came back.

My son and husband taking a well earned break under the tree

At home we have two photos – one of our son standing in the beautiful afternoon light with the familiar dip of Hadrian’s Wall and the sycamore tree in the distance over their shoulder. The other was taken a year later, our son and daughter stood in exactly the same spot, except in the background you’ll see an empty space where the tree used to be. I don’t know if we will ever go back. There’s a real sense of sadness that we’ll no longer see that beautiful tree sitting in that rugged curve at the bottom of the bank.

There is something in the air in natural places. The walk to the tree was challenging, but I felt renewed when I arrived. I have had similar experiences when I visited the Lake District. 

There have been so many times since then when, spotting the familiar tree on some of my products, customers have approached me at my stall and wanted to share their own memories of Sycamore Gap. People feel a need to unburden themselves because the knowledge of what actually happened to the tree hasn’t provided any kind of satisfactory answer or explanation. The most common question I get asked about Sycamore Gap is “Why do you think they did it?” And maybe the people who did it don’t really know. What seems to be clear is that the level of outrage that came in the wake of the felling took them by surprise. As a creative person, I can’t understand why someone would simply want to destroy something, unless it’s perhaps born from a desire to make the rest of the world as miserable as you are. Maybe it comes from a need to be seen when you feel invisible. Maybe we will never really know why. I just feel lucky that I got to see the tree three weeks before it was cut down. I feel sorry for anyone who didn't get to experience the majesty and quiet beauty of this beautiful place and my 150 year old friend the Sycamore tree at Sycamore Gap. 

The memory of that day will live with me, my husband and my son forever. I am sad that we didn't get to experience this as a whole family. But also appreciate so many people didn't get to see this beautiful natural landscape in all it's glory at all. I am so grateful I got to give this majestic tree a big hug before I said goodbye for the first and the last time. 

The inspiration behind the new Powder Butterfly Journal 

Over the last two years, I’ve spent every Sunday on the Newcastle Quayside market. One of the great joys of doing this is that I get to meet locals and visitors from all over the world, and I’m always interested to hear their stories, find out why they came to Newcastle and ask where else they’re going during their stay. People are often curious about what I do. On occasion, I’ve had to explain how someone with a London accent came to be selling Sycamore Gap-themed gifts in the North of England.

The top and bottom of it is that since I moved here in 1998, I fell in love with the area, met my husband, had kids, and am now firmly planted here. So I wanted to explore my own journey, and some of the thinking behind Powder Butterfly, through a series of journal entries. Some of these are written by me, some are ghostwritten by my husband or by him alone, and others are by my daughter Jess, who was born in Newcastle but has also lived in Manchester. 

These pieces of writing are designed to inform, entertain and either remind you of the place you call home, or spark enough curiosity to visit the places we share with you. Others explore the history of the landmarks and structures that I use in my designs. Most of all, though, I wanted to give a sense of why I love doing what I do, and why it’s about more than selling baubles, notebooks and mugs.

Think of them as a series of diary entries that follow my journey and share my family's experiences and perspectives, too.  

I am open to guest bloggers, and we are looking for people who have a background in architecture, local history, entertainment and hospitality in the cities we have designed collections for, the visitor economy and student life in North East England. 

I hope you enjoy them. 

Corinne x

Would you like your writing featured on our blog?

We are also interested in hearing from guest writers who would like to contribute to our series of blog posts. We are looking for writers who specialise in the following fields: local history, hospitality, independent business, creative small businesses, and community-focused initiatives. We would like to hear from you, especially if you focus on the cities and locations that Corinne has designed collections for. All blog posts will be promoted across social platforms and in our newsletter. We have a combined reach of the following:

Website's current domain authority is 28/100

Instagram: 2704 followers | 10.4k monthly views

Facebook: 2100 followers | 8.8k monthly views

Pinterest: 1600 followers | 16.4k monthly views

Threads: 612 followers | 4k monthly views

TikTok: 784 followers | 13.4k likes | Pinned Post 103.5k views

LinkedIn Personal profile: 3904 connections | 4311 followers 

LinkedIn company page: 515 followers

Figures above updated January 2025

Contact us via email to submit your idea or written piece. We are looking for quality over quanity and we are not looking for written pieces that are just promotional in nature.