Our Story

In the late 1990s, Jason Lindsay and his wife Demetra inherited Hedingham Castle from Jason’s father, the Honourable Thomas Richard Lindsay. The iconic Norman Keep, alongside an 18th century Georgian House and set within stunning Essex countryside, was rather in a state of disrepair and very much in need of some TLC.

In 2004, Jason and Demetra moved from London to live permanently at Hedingham Castle, with an ambitious plan to restore the Castle and House to their former glory, establish a weddings and events business and ensure the estate’s longevity and relevance for generations to come.

Fast forward twenty years (and three children later), they have done just that and much more besides! In the last five years alone, despite the slight pause in time known as the Pandemic, the venue has hosted over 300 weddings and welcomed thousands of visitors to popular events such as medieval jousting, fairs, car shows and theatre performances to name but a few.

The Story Behind the Gin

The Epithany happened in lockdown, when Jason suddenly realised how perfectly the Norman Keep at Hedingham would look as a square Gin bottle, with the castle elevations on all four sides. After spending many hours with a talented local designer Ollie Brown, an 18th century engraving of the castle exterior and interior were cleverly transformed into our stunning label. Characters were introduced into the interior engraving, each with a story to tell.

At the same time we were busy researching distilleries, and after an extensive beauty parade we chose award winning Thames Distillers in London. After reviewing the vast number of potential ingredients from the castle estate we decided not to reinvent the wheel, but simply add delicious linden flowers to their hugely respected London Dry Gin. These flowers come from the majestic lime trees that surround the castle ramparts, and in mid June these vast trees are covered in beautiful white flowers, giving off a deliciously fragrant sweet honey and jasmine smell. Standing underneath is a wonder of nature and something to behold, always accompanied by the buzzing of millions of bees frantically gathering their nectar.