World famous Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall 'deliberately felled' overnight

One of the UK's most iconic trees has come down overnight after being 'deliberately felled,' the Northumberland National Park Authority has said.

The famous tree at Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian’s Wall, was made famous by actor Kevin Costner when it appeared in his 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. Police said they were investigating whether a criminal offence had been committed after pictures emerged on Thursday morning (September 28) of the tree lying on its side by the wall, after apparently having been cut down.

On Thursday morning the Northumberland National Park Authority 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. 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.”

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The authority is asking the public not to visit the site, near Crag Lough, “whilst we work with our partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe”. A spokesperson added: “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.”

The Sycamore Gap tree is probably the most photographed in the country and stands in a dramatic dip in Hadrian’s Wall. The Northumberland National Park Authority’s website says the Roman Milecastle 39 is just to its left. Sycamore Gap is looked after by both Northumberland National Park and the National Trust.

The Crown Inn at Humshaugh, Northumberland, close to the spot where the tree stood in Northumberland