THE grounds of the historic landmark which gave Castle Hedingham its name are being given a makeover for a TV show.

A film crew from Channel 4 has been visiting 860-year-old Hedingham Castle every month to capture progress on the grounds for a programme which is being described as “Grand Designs for the outdoors”.

The series, provisionally entitled Landscapes, is due to be screened sometime in the next six months and will show Hedingham Castle’s 90-acre grounds being restored.

Work filmed has included repairs to brickwork of the castle’s 1780s octagonal dovecote, the recreation of a Medieval stew pond and the clearing of another pond.

Woodland areas have also been opened up to allow visitors to stroll around.

Beverley Handscombe, Hedingham Castle spokesman, said: “Anyone who visited a couple of years ago will be quite surprised by the changes.”

The Norman castle’s owners Demetra, and Jason Lindsay, were filmed helping with the work.

Mrs Lindsey, an architect, said: “Being in front of the television cameras was terrifying to begin with. Now we have a rapport with the director and crew. They make us laugh and it’s much easier.”