Near Stockton, hundreds of people gathered outside Wynyard Planetarium and Observatory to witness the event, which was also being projected on to screens.
The planetarium’s Simon Gotch said the turnout was “absolutely unbelievable”, with about 400 people arriving to watch the phenomenon despite the “little bit of cloud”.
They ran out of eclipse glasses so had to ask people to share, he said.
In Gateshead, more than 2,000 people gathered at The Glasshouse.
One of them said it was “pretty impressive” even if it was a “little overcast”, and another said it was “really beautiful, an actual ritual that people are here for and enjoying”.
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