Where nature meets public art – a short guide to exploring Northumberlandia, the Lady of the North in Cramlington.
What is Northumberlandia?
Northumberlandia is a unique piece of public art sculpted in the form of a reclining woman. Designed by architect and artist Charles Jencks, the sculpture is fondly known as as the Lady of the North.
Made of 1.5 million tonnes of rock, clay and soil, this curious landform is a quarter of a mile long and reaches 100 feet high. It was built by the Banks Group and Blagdon Estate as part of the restoration of the adjacent Shotton surface coal mine and, today, it’s one of Northumberland’s most popular outdoor attractions. I’ve been several times, and it’s always a good spot for blowing the cobwebs away!
More than just a sculpture
Set within a 46-acre community park, Northumberlandia is so much more than just public art.
The surrounding area also features a small woodland, ponds and green spaces, all managed by Northumberland Wildlife Trust.
If you’re a wildlife lover, look out for kestrels, tree sparrows, buzzards, skylarks, tufted ducks, mallards, roe deer, and other cute animals that call this park their home!
Throughout the year, Northumberlandia also plays host to a variety of events and seasonal activities, including a food and craft market on the first Sunday of the month, hedgehog walks, family bug hunts and even Shakespeare plays!
Most recently, it celebrated #30DaysOfWild with a programme of yoga sessions, nature crafting, a medicinal herb walk, foraging, and outdoor sound bath, so definitely keep an eye out for other upcoming events on its Facebook page.
Walking trails and scenic views
You can enjoy around four miles of footpaths that wind across and around the landform. There’s no set route, so you can choose which way you want to go.
The trail combines flat gravelled footpaths with gentle slopes, giving you the chance to see the Lady from all angles. Her nose, mouth and chin are the easiest features to spot from the ground and will help you get your bearings as you criss-cross the sculpture.
If you climb to the highest point – the Lady’s face – you can admire sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape, including Shotton surface coal mine (which is still in operation). On a clear, sunny day you can literally see for miles.
Top tip: Make sure you get a selfie sitting on the bench at the top!
How to plan your visit
Northumberlandia is located just off the A1, near Cramlington.
It’s free to access the sculpture, although a £2-3 donation is suggested when using the on-site car park. You’ll also find a visitor centre, toilets, and a cafe serving food and drinks – think sandwiches, toasties, paninis, soup and jacket potatoes.
It’s also dog-friendly, so be sure to bring your fuzzy friend along on a lead for a spot of outdoor exploring.
If you’re looking for free things to do in Northumberland, then Northumberlandia is definitely one of my top picks!
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