The Lady of the North
Northumberlandia is a country park with a unique landscape sculpture in the shape of a giant reclining woman It is said to be the world’s largest human landform sculpture and is best appreciated from above. Drones are not permitted so the best place to pick out the shape of this lady is from the viewpoint located on her forehead. Other viewing mounds are found on her chest, hands, hip, knee and ankle. She has been dubbed the Lady of the North and can be considered as a companion to the Northeast’s more famous sculpture, the Angel of the North at Gateshead.
Northumberlandia was designed in 2004 by American architect and artist Charles Jencks (1939-2019) who drew inspiration from Northumberland’s Cheviot Hills. Built on the site of a former surface coal mine, this project shifted 1.5 million tonnes of rock and soil to conceal the scars left over by mining and create this new 46 acre park with three lakes, moderate slopes, four miles of paths and a woodland trail.
From the viewpoint visitors can overlook Shotton Surface Mine which once extended over the site now occupied by Northumberlandia. The coal mining company, Banks Group, has put up an information board to explain how the site will be restored and regenerated once all the coal has been mined, including a promise to plant 88,000 trees. Perhaps they should make a male version of the Lady of the North to keep her company.
Viewed from her forehead, this photo shows her left eye and nose, her … umm … boobies, a hip and a knee. This is still a fairly recent construction and the landscape will be left to evolve and mature over time.
These photos were taken on a chilly day in March, just before the Covid-19 lockdown. It has now reopened to the public.
Opening Times & Admission Charges
Open Daily from dawn to dusk.
The visitor centre, café and toilets are open from Thursday to Sunday from 10am-4pm.
Ticket Prices
Entrance is free.
Car Park
There is plenty of free parking but a donation of £2 is suggested to cover maintenance costs.
How To Get to Northumberlandia
The location of Northumberlandia can be found on this map:
Address:
Northumberlandia
Blagdon Lane, Cramlington NE23 8AU
GPS:
55°05’09.5″N 1°37’49.2″W
55.085982, -1.630332
Plus Code: 39P9+9V Cramlington
Tel: 01912846884
Nearby
Belsay Hall
KIrkley Hall Zoological Gardens
Seaton Delaval Hall
St Mary’s Lighthouse