Durham Cathedral, the Angel of the North and Jarrow Hall all feature in an Easter-themed BBC programme starring Jill Halfpenny.
The landmarks are visited by the well-known actress as part of her latest TV series ‘Jill Halfpenny’s Easter Walks’.
The two-part show, which airs on BBC One over the Easter weekend, tours the North East and Scottish Borders, exploring the landscape, its significance to Christianity and the unique traditions still celebrated at Easter.
Jill says: “Though I was born and bred in the North East I have just moved back after years working away, and I am really, really loving it. I didn’t travel much as a child, and a lot of what I am finding is new to me so I am enjoying exploring my own backyard.
“When I was younger I was part of the choir at church, and I always felt that Easter was really intense – I seemed to be in church all of the time. For me it’s all about renewal and rebirth and in these programmes I have enjoyed seeing if I can find anything about myself in the area where I grew up.”
Jill returns to her hometown of Gateshead, visiting the Angel of the North, and then Hexham to meet the creator of the Angel, Sir Antony Gormley.
She also visits Jarrow Hall’s Anglo-Saxon village, learning about The Venerable Bede who lived in the nearby monastery in the eighth century. He’s thought to have first identified the origins of the term Easter and calculated when it should fall.
At Durham Cathedral, Jill’s feet are washed by Revd Charlie Allen, Canon Chancellor, who explains the tradition, and she also joins the gospel choir, Voices Of Virtue, in song.
And a trip to The Heart Of Oak pub in Peterlee gives Jill the chance to rediscover a traditional game from her youth - Egg Jarping. The pub hosts the official world championships every Easter.
The programme also sees Jill visit Lindisfarne, Hexham Abbey, Coquet Island, Corbridge Roman Town, the Scottish Borders, the Angel of the North, former Catholic seminary Ushaw House, and the Scottish Borders
- The first episode airs on BBC One on Good Friday (15 April) from 1.30-2.30pm
- The second episode airs on BBC One on Easter Sunday (17 April) from 11.25am-12.25pm
- The St Cuthbert's Three-Church Trail guidebook is available (minimum £5 donation) from each of the churches on the trail or from Marie Ness at marie@training4business.org