Northumberlandia facts for kids
Northumberlandia is a giant land sculpture shaped like a woman lying down. People also call her the "Lady of the North." This amazing artwork was finished in 2012. You can find it near Cramlington in Northumberland, northern England.
This huge sculpture was made using 1.5 million tonnes of earth. This soil came from the nearby Shotton Surface Mine. Northumberlandia stands about 34 meters (112 feet) high. She is also 400 meters (1,312 feet) long. The sculpture is part of a large public park that covers 19 hectares (47 acres). Her creators say she is the biggest land sculpture of a female figure in the world.
The aim of Northumberlandia is to attract many visitors. Developers hope it will bring an extra 200,000 tourists to Northumberland each year. Princess Anne officially opened the sculpture on August 29, 2012. A special community event on October 20, 2012, marked the park's full opening to everyone.
What is Northumberlandia?
Northumberlandia is a unique type of art. It is called a "land sculpture" or "land art." This means the artwork is built directly into the landscape. It uses natural materials like earth and plants. The sculpture changes with the seasons. It also changes as plants grow on it.
How was she built?
Building Northumberlandia was a massive project. It needed a lot of earth. This earth came from a nearby coal mine. The mine was digging up coal. Instead of just piling up the extra earth, they used it to create this artwork. This was a clever way to reuse materials. It also turned a mining site into a beautiful public space.
Visiting the park
The park around Northumberlandia is open to the public. Visitors can walk along paths that go over and around the sculpture. You can even walk on parts of the "Lady of the North" herself! From different spots, you get different views of the sculpture. It's a great place for a walk or a picnic.
Images for kids
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A special map showing Northumberlandia's shape
