About

This magical exhibition showcases artworks by Jackie Morris and poems by Robert Macfarlane, from their best-selling book The Lost Spells.  

A follow-up to critically acclaimed book The Lost Words, The Lost Spells invites readers to conjure up the sights and sounds of the natural world. 

With over 100 illustrations, this exploration of the natural world honours Britain’s wildlife and reminds us of just how precious it is. The accompanying spell poems give voice to the animals and plants that make our countryside magnificent. 

Children will love exploring the specially created badger sett and miniature forest in the gallery, following the family trail, and adding their own leaf to a custom-made storytelling tree that 'grows' throughout the exhibition. 

Spoken word pieces, wild nature calls and acoustic music provide an ambient soundscape, and you can create your own songs of nature on an interactive touch screen, using live recordings of wildlife including an owl, fox and curlew.

Jackie Morris will be painting live in the gallery on Saturday 4 October 2025 from 10.30am to 12.30pm, and there will be a creative programme of family activities throughout the school summer holidays.

The exhibition was created by Northumberland National Park in association with Hamish Hamilton and Penguin Books.