12 Natural Wonders That Don’t Exist Anymore (7 of 7)

Sycamore Gap tree (England, UK)

In September 2023, one of Britain’s most photographed trees met a senseless end. The Sycamore Gap tree, perched beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, had stood for centuries as a natural icon—so loved it even appeared on the big screen in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Hikers, families, and travelers from across the world came to marvel at its striking silhouette.

That beauty was stolen overnight when the tree was illegally cut down, leaving only a stump where a piece of living history once stood. The act sparked anger and heartbreak across the country, with many calling it an attack on shared heritage.

The justice was delivered. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were sentenced to more than four years in prison for their role in the destruction. Judge Edward Gurney described the act as “no more than drunken stupidity,” adding it was something these men would “regret for the rest of their lives.”