Captivatingly entitled “Spellbound,” Jackie Morris’ new exhibition (free to visit near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland) entwines art and nature with a canny sprinkling of gold leaf and a magical spell or two – 18 Jan to 06 Apr 2025
Spellbound exhibition
The Sill visitor information,
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Cafe information
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As parents it’s often hard to make time for adventures without the kids. I constantly advocate for Oxygen Time – adult-only fun to recharge parental batteries – yet I’m hopeless at taking my own advice! We were thrilled to hear about Spellbound coming to Northumberland, as I adore Jackie Morris’ wildlife illustrations. Meeting her in person, on our doorstep, has possibly made my year!
A bracing hike along Hadrian’s Wall with lunch at The Sill is a perfect choice for wild parents and adventure couples to experience rugged nature whether with or without children. Add in this remarkable exhibition and it’s an unmissable treat for everyone.
It was mildly ironic that my ‘date day’ with wild Daddy, intended to be a couple-only mini-adventure incorporating culture along with some wild, became a family outing because our poorly wild teen joined us. Despite earache she pushed through and thoroughly enjoyed herself – it was hard not to with so much to explore.
Spellbound is a genuine must-see for anyone who loves Jackie Morris’ wildlife paintings or her books The Lost Words and The Lost Spells (poetry collaborations with Robert Macfarlane). Frankly if you love nature, art, books or Northumberland itself you’ll be blown away even if you’re not familiar with Jackie’s art.
The Jackie Morris Spellbound exhibition
Based in The Stell, an exhibition room at The Sill Landscape & Discovery Centre in the heart of Northumberland National Park, the Spellbound collection brings together original watercolours from both books, aimed at inspiring us to look deeper into nature so we can learn to speak the names of the creatures and wildlife we find there. The collection absolutely achieves its aim.
[Stell is a delightful Scottish word for a cattle and sheep shelter built on moorland or hillsides!]
Spellbound overview
- January 18th to April 06th 2025
- FREE entry
- Fully accessible ground floor location
- Original Jackie Morris paintings and artwork
- Seated video area and recorded poetry readings
- Themed children’s activities in the Vallum Gallery next door
- Spellbound events from February to April
- Jackie Morris not included!
The exhibition is cleverly laid out with paintings from the first book, The Lost Words, displayed on The Stell’s outer walls while the illustrations from The Lost Spells form an island in the middle, the ‘heartwood’ of the gallery. As well as watercolours there are beautiful artworks decorated with gold leaf, like the oak and acorn piece below, inspired by a tree in Jackie’s garden.
Whilst I treasure our copies of both ‘Lost’ books, neither they nor photographs do justice to how breathtaking these paintings are in real life. There is delicacy, striking detail yet also simple stroke-work which truly is, well, spellbinding. And it’s clear that hours spent observing nature go into every stroke of the brush.
Ghosts, quills and Morris magic
It was a joy to talk to Jackie (so much for a date-day, sorry husband, I’d happily have spent the entire time with just her!) She chatted to visitors and signed books, generously including a live-drawn sketch in each one tailored to the person or the book. With a degree in colouring-in (as Jackie says), she finds nature in everything.
In fact the magic behind her art surrounds her; on the table is a brass trinket box with a hare on top containing a secret supply of tiny quills which turn out to be Woodcock pin-feathers. There are only two of these on every bird, one at the tip of each wing! The tiny tip is perfect for drawing and calligraphy and the entire feather for infill.
Jackie collects old watercolour sets and owns a 150-200 year-old ‘haunted’ pen which she says ‘just wants to draw, so must once have been owned by an artist not a writer.’ Each book was signed using the ghostly pen with Oak gall ink which mysteriously darkens as it dries. Children love it! Spot the hare and the haunted pen below.
The process of making Oak gall ink combines the efforts of the Oak tree, a Wasp and us humans – so of course Jackie would use this! I defy anyone not to be swept along with her infectious love of nature.
In fact Jackie doesn’t see herself as separate from nature, only a tiny part of it. “Without it we would cease to be,” she says, “it is our life support system and the sooner we embrace that the more healthy we will be.” I wholeheartedly agree.
There are more photos of Jackie’s tabletop trinkets in my Instagram post below.
If you missed Jackie on opening day, the exhibition includes a multimedia video corner with seating, showcasing her in action. You can also view the videos here. I particularly recommend watching the one about accordion books.
And for wild kids (of any age!) who would like to try making magical Oak gall ink, I found a recipe here.
If you can bear to tear yourself away from Spellbound there’s a lot more to see and do at The Sill.
The Sill visitor information
Arriving from any direction whether on foot, bike, by car or bus, the journey to The Sill takes you through spectacular scenery, Roman roads & ruins and rugged rolling countryside. It’s a short walk or cycle (1/2 mile) from Steel Rigg, just along the wall from Sycamore Gap. Enjoy a warm friendly welcome from the staff and a rest from a hard day’s hiking or biking, or start the day with maps and sightseeing ideas at reception. It’s a far cry from the Roman wall blues experienced by soldiers there in times past!
Built in 2017, The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre is essentially a visitor centre for the Northumberland National Park. It encourages people of all backgrounds and abilities to connect with nature, landscape and the environment via the arts, heritage and culture. But it so much more!
There’s the exhibition space, conference areas, a cafe, shop, sizeable bike park, a YHA youth hostel, a children’s play area, the permanent indoor exhibition celebrating the landscape and a Roof Walk which is a wildflower meadow in season with 360 degree far-reaching views over the rugged Northumberland countryside.
For families and couples wanting a more luxurious overnight stay the Twice Brewed Inn is right next door accessed via a short footpath from the car park.
The Sill overview
- Open 10am to 4pm daily
- NE47 7AN Visit The Sill
- Bus service directly to the site
- Parking for 170 vehicles – 15 mins free, £2 for 2 hours then £1 p/hr up to £5 for the day, £10 overnight
- Blue badge spaces for 5 vehicles, charges above apply
- 2 electric car charging points
- Bicycle park
- Fully wheelchair accessible
- Assistance dogs only inside, all dogs outside except on the green roof
- Toilets
- Cafe
- Shop
- Children’s outdoor play area
- Exhibitions, events, activities including dark sky evenings
- Green meadow Roof Walk
- YHA youth hostel – no dogs
- Access to The Twice Brewed Inn for food, accommodation and stargazing
‘The Landscape’ exhibition
The Sill’s permanent interactive exhibition showcases all things Northumberland, from the Curlews that inspired some of Jackie’s paintings and are the symbol of the Northumberland National Park, to local music, Roman and prehistoric history, agriculture, a digital sandbox and much more, including the Duddo Stones which you can read more about here
What is a digital sandbox?
This is my favourite part of the Landscape exhibition. There should be one in every school (as well as copies of The Lost Words and Lost Spells obviously!) In the box you create landscapes, rivers, valleys, mountains – even the words The Sill as in the photo above – using sand.
An overhead digital video then converts your creation into a screen image showing the 3D contours as they would appear in the landscape! Brilliant for learning geology and geological processes. And lots of fun for certain not so grown up grown-ups…the pale blue on the left of the screen is wild Daddy’s head!
Once Brewed Coffee & Bakehouse Café
We had a delicious lunch in the Once Brewed Café. Located on the first floor of The Sill and easily accessible by lift if required, the café is large, light and airy with stunning views towards Steel Rigg and Hadrian’s Wall. The simple menu includes tasty sandwiches, soup and light bites with dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available. There are outdoor tables for warm weather where dogs are welcome all year round and you can refill water bottles if you’re hiking too.
Be aware that table service is very friendly but has been routinely slow every time we’ve eaten there – it’s difficult to get staff due to the rural location – so allow more time to eat than you think.
Café overview
- Open daily 10am to 3.30pm
- Last food order 3pm
- Fully accessible via stairs or lift in reception, or sloping walkway from outside
- Light bites, sandwiches, drinks
- Dietary requirements catered for, speak to staff on ordering
- Water bottle refill
- No dogs inside, outdoor seating available
- Access to the Roof Walk
- Top tip – don’t miss the daily specials board in reception
Shopping at The Sill
Situated near the entrance on the ground floor, the shopping area is open and accessible to all, with a variety of gorgeous gifts and produce for all ages. From artwork, ceramics and jewellery to locally produced beers, spirits, clothes, guidebooks and maps, you can even choose fabric badges for your rucksack or camp blanket! And of course lots of Lost Words and Lost Spells goodies as well as the Spell Songs CD inspired by the books.
Shopping overview
- Open 10am to 4pm
- Open-plan and fully accessible
- Self-service drinks and snacks
- Over 80% local suppliers with a third from within the National Park and Hadrian’s Wall area
- Many products certified in the Produced in Northumberland scheme
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” Wild wishes from me as always, this time with a magical quote from The Lost Words Blessing song – ‘Enter the wild with care my love and speak the things you see, Let new names take and root and thrive and grow. And even as you travel far from heather, crag and river, May you, like the little Fisher, set the stream alight with glitter, May you enter now as Otter without falter into water…‘
– Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart”
Thank you Jackie for the gift of your enchanting artwork and words and to The Sill and the NNP for inspiring us all to get outside into the wild to connect with nature. Until next time…
NB Kids of the Wild received travel and subsistence expenses for this review.
Buy Jackie Morris books, art and jewellery
Books
Find copies of Jackie and Robert Macfarlane’s books on Amazon.
To buy The Lost Words click here
Buy The Lost Spells here
Click here to buy Something about a Bear
The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems, illustrated by Jackie Morris
Buy a copy here
Art
To buy original artwork and prints from Jackie’s beautiful collection curated by Seven Fables, click here
Jewellery
If you spotted Jackie’s charm jewellery, cast in silver by Eva John, it is also available from Seven Fables, click here
This sounds like a lovely day out and how wonderful that you got to meet Jackie Morris. A friend gifted me The Lost Words and it’s an absolutely stunning book! I’d love to see the exhibit!
It’s a beautiful exhibition and (as you can probably tell) it was fantastic to meet Jackie in person. She’s so inspirational and truly rooted in nature! We were gifted The Lost Words too. What a treasure of a book, not just the writing and the art but the concept behind it. Thanks for taking the time to get in touch and wild wishes that hopefully you’ll be able to visit Spellbound before it closes.
Wow, what a beautiful exhibition! Jackie Morris’ artwork sounds absolutely magical, and I love how Spellbound brings nature, art, and poetry together. The details about the gold leaf, haunted pen, and oak gall ink are fascinating—I can only imagine how captivating it must be to see the paintings in person. Definitely adding this to my must-visit list in Northumberland!