The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre - Hexham

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre

The Sill, located at Once Brewed, Hexham NE47 7AN, United Kingdom, is a prominent National Landscape Discovery Centre dedicated to providing comprehensive information and experiences related to the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It serves as a vital hub for visitors seeking tourist information, relaxation, and engagement with the local landscape.

Location and Setting

The Sill occupies a unique position in Hexham town centre, specifically at Once Brewed. This strategic location places it within easy reach of Hexham's amenities and makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the wider North Pennines region. Its position in the town allows visitors to combine their time at the centre with other Hexham attractions and activities nearby.

Core Offerings and Specialties

The Sill operates multifacetedly, encompassing several key services and attractions:

• Tourist Information Centre: Providing detailed advice, maps, and resources for visitors exploring the North Pennines, Hexham, and surrounding areas. Staff are knowledgeable about local attractions, events, accommodation options, and practical travel details.
• Cafe: A welcoming space offering a variety of refreshments, light lunches, and snacks. The cafe provides a comfortable place for visitors to rest, recharge, and enjoy local produce, often featuring items that can be sourced locally to the North Pennines region.
• Restaurant: For those seeking a more substantial meal or a place to enjoy a dedicated dining experience, the on-site restaurant offers a selection of food options. It serves as a convenient dining choice for visitors exploring the area.
• Tourist Attraction in Its Own Right: The centre itself is designed to showcase the natural and cultural heritage of the North Pennines. It often features exhibits, displays, and information boards that highlight the unique landscape, its history, wildlife, and the importance of conservation efforts in the area.
• Visitor Centre: Acting as a central point for visitor services, offering maps, literature, and assistance with planning itineraries for exploring the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Other Points of Interest and Facilities

The Sill prides itself on being accessible and offering a range of services to enhance the visitor experience. Key facilities include:

• On-site Services: A comprehensive range of services catering to the needs of visitors, from information provision to dining options.
• Accessibility Features:
  • Wheelchair-accessible car park: Located adjacent to the centre, ensuring easy access for visitors with mobility challenges.
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance: The building is designed to be easily navigable for wheelchair users.
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Ensuring that essential facilities are available and accessible to all visitors.
• Toilets: Clean and well-maintained facilities available for all visitors.
• Payment Methods: Offering convenience to modern travellers, The Sill accepts a variety of payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, and supports NFC mobile payments, reflecting contemporary consumer expectations.

Furthermore, The Sill is explicitly noted as being Good for kids, suggesting activities or information tailored towards families and younger visitors, making it an appealing destination for multi-generational travel groups.

Additional Information and Contact

For any inquiries, directions, or to arrange specific visits or bookings related to its cafe, restaurant, or other services, visitors can contact The Sill using the provided phone number, 1434341200. Alternatively, detailed information and updates can be found by visiting their official website, thesill.org.uk. The website serves as a valuable resource, likely providing details on opening times, specific events, exhibitions, and the menu for the cafe and restaurant.

Visitor Feedback and Reputation

The Sill actively engages with its community and visitors, evidenced by its significant presence on platforms like Google My Business. It currently holds over 2143 reviews, reflecting its role as a frequented location. The average opinion stands at a strong 4.4/5, indicating a consistently positive visitor experience. This high rating suggests that local residents and tourists alike value the services, facilities, and overall atmosphere provided by The Sill, recognizing its contribution to Hexham and the North Pennines region.

In conclusion, The Sill at Once Brewed in Hexham is more than just a tourist stop; it is a well-equipped and welcoming National Landscape Discovery Centre. Offering tourist information, comfortable eating options including a cafe and restaurant, and serving as an informative visitor hub, it caters effectively to the needs of tourists and locals. Its commitment to accessibility and diverse amenities, coupled with its strong community feedback and positive reputation reflected in its Google reviews, solidifies The Sill's role as a key destination and service point within Hexham and the surrounding North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Planning Your Visit

The Sill is recommended for anyone seeking reliable tourist information about the North Pennines, for a comfortable meal or coffee break during their explorations, or simply to learn more about the unique landscape from the comfort of an accessible centre. Its location in Hexham town centre makes it easily accessible both by car (with free parking available) and by public transport. The on-site free parking lot (as mentioned in 'other points of interest') is a significant advantage for visitors arriving by vehicle, providing ample space without additional charges. Remember to check their official website or contact them directly for the most current opening hours and specific service details, especially if planning to use the restaurant or arrange for group activities.

👍 Reviews of The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre

S S.

5/5

Great place to stop at... lots of walking routes out on display for you to look through and plot your own or give you ideas!
Museum area.
Gift shop.
Accessible toilets!
Lovely cafe with friendly staff and plenty of options for all!
The rooftop is fully accessible and it was a wonderful peaceful spot to sit at on the evening we went up. It was just us and the birds with a warm breeze. We sat for a while, just enjoying the scenery!
Blue badge parking!
Parking is pay for all. If you go on the site and you know you are going to other places that day, then you can get a full day parking ticket rather than pay for each car park, it does name which ones this includes!
It is well worth visiting, but if you want food and not just a snack, then get there at a good time of day... you can only get cake and a drink near the end of the day!

B M.

4/5

Nice discovery centre with interactive exhibits on the climate and green energy and the landscape.
Free to enter (parking is chargeable)
There is a cafe upstairs (lift if needed)
Nice rooftop walk giving great views over the countryside .

hlcwilson

4/5

Attractive building, thoughtfully designed.

Interesting displays about modern and ancient life on The Sill were in the small museum. The Sycamore sculpture is quite beautiful and comfortable. Sadly, there were already signs of damage.

The living roof was interesting and had information about the plants and how they were chosen.

The cafe only had drinks and snacks such as cold sandwiches and scones. There was a reasonable selection of selection of teas, not just coffees. We had been hoping for (expecting, really) that there would also be hot sandwiches, such as bacon butties, but this was not to be. The scones were good though.

Items in the shop remain focused on Sycamore Gap, though the assistant said that they plan expand the range. They had a very good selection of local history books and, more unusually, local geology!

Toilet facilities were clean with no queuing.

The main reason for visiting, of course, is to access the wall which runs along the geological sill. There was a good sized map to look at in the atrium as well as a wide range of maps available for sale in the gift shop. Paths to the Wall (and the pub next door!) were well signposted. There is a steep and craggy route of two or three climbs to The Gap. It requires sensible footwear and, for anyone even vaguely unsteady or clumsy, a good stick. Random sweets found in the depths of your pocket are essential (we had toffees). Unfortunately, our pockets proved not to hide the cuppas we were then ready for! A grassy path offers an alternate route, or they can be combined for a circle walk of approx 2 miles.

Parking at The Sill includes an overflow area so there is plenty of space. On entry, your licence plate is read then, when leaving, you start typing your registration number into the machine and it shows a short list. Once you recognise and click on your own number, it tells you the fee and you can pay with cash, card, or mobile phone.

Miss V.

5/5

Very educational. Worth a visit whilst in the area. Nice shop and caffè, clean toilets. Good parking and starting point for a walk up to Hadrians Wall and the Sycamore gap tree memorial.

Katrina I.

5/5

Such a welcoming place that was light and airy with ample car parking. The food was delicious, the toilets were clean and the discovery centre part was really educational. The rooftop section was a lovely surprise.

Rachel O.

5/5

Really enjoyed the exhibition and the installation for the Sycamore Gap. The cafe, packed lunch and tea after our walk all terrific.

susie V.

1/5

Really looked forward to visiting here and was impressed by the description of how accessible it all is. I loved the Sycamore gap display and was moved to tears. The main reason for our visit was for me to survey the surrounding focal points and areas of interest from the roof now that I can no longer walk more than about 20ft. Well the accessible area to the roof was useless to me. A mobility scooter can't get over the raised part of the doorway entrance to the roof. 2 members of staff just said oh and not even sorry as we told them of the issue. Left disappointed.

H L. D.

5/5

It is a wonderful place to stop and refresh. There is a great cafe and informative displays (Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the sheep was in residence). There is also a fantastic view of the outstanding scenery from the rooftop of the building. The place is wheelchair friendly and has accessible WC. The car park is paid for on exit. There is plenty of parking. Gift shop is well stocked full of goodies to enjoy. It's definitely worth a visit.