Hotel Video Production: Featuring Sycamore Gap’s Iconic Tree Before It Was Lost.
Filming a piece of British heritage for a UK tourism and hotel campaign
At Factor Fifty, we’ve been lucky enough to film in some of the UK’s most breathtaking locations—but few have left a deeper impression than Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland. The iconic Sycamore Tree, often referred to as the “Robin Hood Tree”, was one of the country’s most recognisable natural landmarks. In a twist of fate, we filmed it before it was illegally felled in 2023—a tragedy that stunned the nation.
Our shoot was originally commissioned as part of a UK tourism film and a brand campaign for a hotel group, aiming to showcase the beauty and heritage of Northern England. The footage captured the famous lone tree in all its glory, framed against the dramatic dip in the landscape that made Sycamore Gap so instantly iconic.
A Loss Felt Nationally
In September 2023, the beloved Sycamore Tree was deliberately cut down overnight. News of the act sparked outrage across the UK and beyond. The tree, estimated to be over 300 years old, was not only a symbol of the Northumberland countryside but a favourite location for photographers, hikers, filmmakers, and tourists from all over the world.
In early 2025, two men were found guilty of felling the tree, finally bringing accountability to one of the most shocking acts of environmental vandalism in recent years.
Returning to Sycamore Gap After the Tree Was Gone
We recently returned to Sycamore Gap to film behind-the-scenes content for a follow-up project. Standing in the same spot where we once shot sweeping cinematic footage of the tree was a sobering experience. The view is still striking, but the emotional weight of what’s missing is unmistakable.
“Our earlier footage of the Sycamore Tree now feels like an unexpected archive,” said a spokesperson from Factor Fifty. “We captured it for a hotel and tourism campaign, not knowing we were filming one of its final appearances. Being back on location to film again was bittersweet.”
Why This Matters for Hotel and Tourism Marketing
This moment underscores the value of authentic travel filmmaking—capturing real, meaningful locations while they still tell their full story. The original footage of the tree will now form part of a wider campaign to promote travel in Northumberland, honouring the legacy of Sycamore Gap and highlighting the lasting appeal of the region’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage.
The upcoming video content will feature across multiple platforms, from hotel websites and social media channels to destination marketing campaigns. It’s a powerful reminder of why we do what we do: to preserve and promote the unique stories of places before they change—or are lost forever.
