By George, he’s gone back to his roots for TV series
Sunderland TV star George Clarke is returning to Wearside in his new Channel 4 show.
Filmed during lockdown, G e o rge C l a rke’s Nat i o n a l Trust Unlocked sees the architect discover some of the UK’s most impressive historic homes, including Washington Old Hall.
He also fulfils a childhood dream by scaling to the top of Penshaw Monument.
The 17th century Washington Old Hall, the ancestral home of the first US President George Washington, has been closed to the public since lockdown began in March.
H o w e ve r, G e o r ge wa s g ra nte d s p e c i a l acc e s s to the hall and other historic and extraordinary places as they’ve never been seen before, delving into the hidden recesses that visitors aren’t normally allowed to see.
He finds out more about the fascinating architecture, design and stories behind each property. He also takes walks around the stunning past, both good and bad, and gardens and spectacular surthe National Trust grounds roundings of the treasured and walks have made me reestates. alise, now more than ever,
G e o rge s a id : “I k n ow just how important our open, lockdown has been unbegreen and beautiful spaces lievably tough for so many are to our happiness, wellpeople, and that’s why I feel being and mental health. honoured and privileged to “What an opportunity for have been given the most me to explore so many propamazing access to show the erties, many of which I’ve people of Britain some of the never seen before. most wonderful buildings, "It’s the most unique segardens and landscapes we ries of programmes I’ve ever have across the nation. made.”
“The history of our archiThe programme featuring tecture tells the stories of our Washington Old Hall is the
second in the series and will be broadcast on Sunday, August 30. The Penshaw Monument episode is the last in the series and goes out on Sunday, September 27. Each episode is an hour long and goes out at 9pm.
The water-powered, clifftop home of industrialist Lord Armstrong at Cragside in Rothbury and the Gibside Estate in Gateshead are also featured.
The whole series is available to stream on-demand on Channel 4’s website.