Heavenly Gardens

BBC One (2 x60 mins)

Former chorister Alexander Armstrong, along with garden designer Arit Anderson, visit six spectacular gardens across Britain that are steeped in faith and spirituality.

EP1:

On Good Friday Alexander Armstrong and Arit Anderson visit gardens of reflection and contemplation. At the remote Pluscarden Abbey in NE Scotland, Alexander helps harvest luscious apples and accompanies the monks singing midday psalms. Meanwhile Arit walks in the footsteps of royalty in the glorious grounds of Sudeley Castle. And Alexander returns to his student haunts in Cambridge to discover a place designed to inspire joy, even on the bleakest days, in the University’s Botanic Garden.

EP2:

On Easter Sunday Alexander Armstrong and Arit Anderson visit gardens expressing hope, joy and renewal. At The Bishop’s Palace in Somerset Alexander discovers why this place has been sacred for centuries and helps to create a colourful and uplifting work of art. While Arit learns how the ancient trees at Scone Palace in Scotland will be given a new lease of life. And Alexander heads to his home county of Northumberland to tour a garden using humour to plant seeds of change in the community.