Illuminated Sheep set to have visitors flocking with first visit to Newcastle

A famous art installation which has attracted hordes of visitors during its tours of Northumberland is to go on show in Newcastle for the first time in all its glowing glory.

The Illuminated Sheep, a colourful flock of life-size sheep inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels, will be on display at three 'iconic' Newcastle locations in October, it has been announced, after being exhibited across Hadrian’s Wall in September. Their move from the rural wilds to the urban hub will no doubt attract a rush of visitors from around the city who have not yet managed to see them during their tours to date.

It was revealed on Wednesday that the sheep are to be gathered at the Toffee Factory in Newcastle from October 3-4 then will visit Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend from October 11-12 before returning to the city for a stand-out display at Newcastle Cathedral from October 22-24.

• Read More: Bamburgh Castle reveals Christmas theme of this year's 'spectacular' visitor attraction

• Get all the latest North East updates with our free What’s On newsletter

Initially commissioned by Northumberland County Council, the sheep, which are lit up in bright colours and accompanied by sound, make up a visual arts trail and artist Deepa Mann-Kler's idea - inspired by the Lindisfarne's Gospels' themes of light and pilgrimage - was brought to life by Queen's Hall Arts centre in Hexham in 2022, to celebrate that autumn's return of the Gospels to the region for an exhibition in Newcastle.

The trail has since taken the sheep on tour around Northumberland - to dramatic locations such as Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Garden, Hexham Abbey, Woodhorn Museum and Vindolanda - and some of them are currently in residence at Queen's until Saturday. News that the full flock soon will be heading to Newcastle and Wallsend was accompanied by the announcement of another Hadrian’s Wall visit too, when the sheep will be back to form a new art trail from east to west across the Roman Wall.

Presented by Queen’s Hall Arts and Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, this will run September 1-26, with 40 sheep taking up individual positions from Maryport to Arbeia and being looked after, and customised, by various community figures, businesses and organisations. One sheep, hosted by Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership, will be travelling on trains, for instance, while others will be roaming the likes of libraries and Romans forts along the length of the wall, including Segedunum which is to feature in the later visit too.

Other members of the flock will have a stay at various locations including museums, galleries, coffee shops, schools, theatres, shops and even bus stops, with visitors being encouraged to track them down. John Scott, from Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, said the idea has captured fun and pride within the communities and said it is a pleasure to be involved, adding: "After a moment of quizzical looks, it soon develops into a whirl of discussion and debate on what each sheep could be called, where it might go and how it could look."

Katy Taylor, artistic director of Queen’s Hall, said: “We are delighted to be preparing to send the flock on their adventures again", adding: "We’re inviting both locals and visitors to explore this truly beautiful and historically rich part of our region. We can’t wait to see what the sheep get up before they reunite later in the year to light up some of Newcastle’s most popular venues.”

The city hosts will be gearing up to welcome the whole flock of sheep whose urban adventure has been made possible thanks to funding from the North East Combined Authority. With Newcastle Cathedral preparing to host the last leg of the visit, the Very Reverend Lee Batson, Dean of Newcastle, said of his upcoming new flock: “We look forward to welcoming visitors and members of the cathedral community to experience the meditative soundscape and witness the unique sight of the sheep in the historic cathedral nave."

For more information about the new trail see here.