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Sycamore Gap Three Years On

3rd October 2026

The famous tree has gone, but the story isn't over.

Three years after it was felled, the stump is putting up fresh growth, and you can still walk to see it for yourself.

On 28 September 2026 it was three years since the Sycamore Gap tree was illegally felled. For many people it was the most photographed spot on Hadrian's Wall, and the loss was felt far beyond Northumberland.

The news this autumn is gentler. New aerial pictures released by Northumberland National Park show a ring of new shoots rising from the stump, some of them two to three feet tall.

What the New Pictures Show

The National Trust describes the stump as "flourishing". Its General Manager at Hadrian's Wall, Andrew Poad, said the shoots "are really encouraging and show that the special measures we've taken - including reducing soil compaction around the roots and limiting human disturbance - are paying off."

What's growing: a thick ring of shoots around the edge of the stump
How tall: roughly two to three feet
What's helping: less compaction around the roots and fewer people crowding the stump

Did You Know?The Trust has also given out 49 saplings grown from the original tree's seed to communities across the UK, so its legacy is spreading well beyond the Wall.

Will the Tree Grow Back?

Nobody can promise, but the signs are good. Reports suggest walkers might one day be able to rest in its shade again within about a decade, and that it could take far longer to reach its former size.

Either way, it's a rare chance to watch a landmark recover in real time. Each visit may look a little different.

How to Walk to Sycamore Gap

This is one of the loveliest short walks in the country, with big skies and steep, dramatic ground on the Whin Sill ridge. It is also a very natural taster of the Hadrian's Wall Path.

The National Trust's Sycamore Gap walk is a circular route from Housesteads that makes a good half-day outing:

5 miles

8 km

~2 hours

Walking time

Moderate

Steep sections

Circular

From Housesteads

Start: Housesteads (pay-on-entry car park)
Terrain: moderate, with steep ascents and descents on rocky, uneven stone sections
Route: up to Housesteads Fort, along the Wall Path to Sycamore Gap, then back on the flatter Roman Military Way

Local Tip:the Wall path here rises and falls sharply, so wear proper walking boots and allow more time than the distance suggests. Early mornings and late afternoons are quietest, and the light on the crags is wonderful.

If you'd rather start closer, there is also a shorter walk from the Steel Rigg car park to the gap.

Visiting the Stump Respectfully

There is a barrier around the stump, and visitors are asked to respect it and take photographs from a distance. That protection is part of why the shoots are doing so well.

Stay behind the barrier and don't touch the stump
Keep dogs on leads, as there is livestock grazing nearby
Take your litter home and stick to the path

Good to Know:Toilets are at the fort and at The Sill. The visitor centre facilities at Housesteads have been closed recently, so check before you travel.

Don't Miss: Sycamore Gap - Coming Home at The Sill

Just a couple of miles from the gap, The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre near Bardon Mill is home to the largest remaining section of the original tree.

Artist Charlie Whinney created a permanent installation around the trunk, with oak benches and a steam-bent canopy shaped like a giant sycamore leaf. Public tributes cut from wood veneers are woven into the display, and you can touch the tree. Admission is free.

There are other projects too, including Heartwood by Shona Branigan, Trees of Hope and The People's Tree, a new commission using wood from the felled tree.

Ways to see Stcamore Gap

Option	Best for	What to expect
Short walk from Steel Rigg	A quick visit	Shorter and busy at peak times
Steel Rigg circular walk (4 miles) - free download	A half-day outing	Fort, Wall and gap in one loop, about 2 hours
A multi-day Hadrian's Wall holiday	Making the most of it	The whole 84-mile Wall, with Sycamore Gap as one highlight among many

Turn It Into a Hadrian's Wall Holiday

Sycamore Gap sits on the best-known stretch of Hadrian's Wall, with Housesteads Fort, Crag Lough and Vindolanda close by. Seeing it on a day trip is wonderful, but walking the Wall over several days gives you the full picture.

We live and walk in Northumberland, so we know where to stay, how long each stage really takes and which stretches deserve a slower pace. With our self-guided Hadrian's Wall holiday we arrange your accommodation, baggage transfers and detailed trip notes. Prefer company? Take a look at our guided Hadrian's Wall holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you still visit Sycamore Gap?

Yes. The gap and the stump are still reached on foot along Hadrian's Wall. Please respect the barrier and take your photos from a distance.

Is the Sycamore Gap tree growing back?

New shoots two to three feet tall now form a ring around the stump, according to the National Trust and Northumberland National Park. It is encouraging, though it will take many years to see how it develops.

Where can I see part of the original tree?

At The Sill near Bardon Mill, where the largest section of the trunk is on permanent display in the "Coming Home" exhibition. Entry is free.

How far is it from Housesteads to Sycamore Gap?

The National Trust's circular walk from Housesteads is 5 miles (8 km) and takes around 2 hours, taking in the fort, the Wall and the gap.

Can I take my dog?

Dogs are welcome on the route but must stay on leads because of grazing livestock.

What is the best time of year to visit?

Spring to autumn is the most comfortable, and early or late in the day is quieter. The crags are exposed, so wrap up in changeable weather.

The Wall has stood for nearly 1,900 years. Come and walk it with people who know it well.

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