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What is The Sill?

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre is a modern, award-winning visitor hub and the UK’s first dedicated Landscape Discovery Centre. located at Once Brewed in the heart of the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site within Northumberland National Park.

Opened in 2017, it serves as an inspiring gateway to the region’s breathtaking landscapes. Surrounded by rich Roman history, culture, and natural heritage the Sill is a fantastic place to visit.

What is at the Sill?

The first thing to know about the Sill is that it’s indoors and open every day between 10am and 4pm. The weather in North Northumberland can be “changeable” and having a refuge is essential.

Inside you’ll be impressed by the array of permanent and temporary displays.

The interactive exhibitions are permanent features of the Sill exhibition space. These include a landscape display with augmented reality sandbox). Engaging learning spaces and seasonal events make a welcoming space for all ages.

The onsite café serves high quality local food and importantly ice cream. Downstairs has a shop with regional crafts and produce. and even an on-site youth hostel.

Perfect for all ages, The Sill encourages visitors to connect with nature, explore the surrounding countryside, and discover nearby iconic sites like Housesteads Roman Fort, making it an essential starting point for anyone seeking to experience the wild beauty and historical depth of Northumberland.

Outside you’ll be amazed by the view of the Northumberland countryside from the fully accessible roof terrace. At the back of The Sill is a small but perfectly formed kids playground. It is just big enough to keep the kids happy while the adults enjoy a coffee or ice cream.

As if that wasn’t enough there you can stay the night at the Sill in its very own Youth Hostel. The YHA lounge area has cooking facilities and a pool table for those staying over.

Click this link to go to the booking page.

Things to do around The Sill

The Sill is a great place to visit but they provide a fantastic program of local activities as well.

Dark Skies Park

The Sill is in the perfect location to visit for the Northumberland Dark Skies park. Northumberland National Park and most of Kielder Water & Forest Park became England’s first International Dark Sky Park in 2013. This was awarded by the International Dark Sky Association.

The Sill recommends the following places for a Dark skies experience:

• Cawfields. A small sheltered lake with toilet facilities.
• Stonehaugh Pavillion. This circular pavilion provides shelter for stargazers and wildlife watchers.
• Harbottle Castle via the Drake Stone. Take a short walk from Harbottle to the site of the Drake Stone. This huge stone boulder alleged to have special healing powers. Originally called the Dragon stone this massive sandstone boulder was placed here by a glacier during the last Ice Age. Legends say it was used by Druids in their rituals. The ruined castle is the perfect sheltered spot to stargaze.

Events

The Sill provides an selection of ever changing events all through the year.

Ranging from talks about agriculture and astronomy to guided walks around the hills of Northumberland.

Click here for the whats on web page.