CORFE Castle and Kingston Lacy will both feature in Alan Titchmarsh's second series of Secrets of the National Trust.

The television presenter and gardener is embarking on a journey across National Trust properties, joining a host of familiar faces along the way, to uncover secrets of the UK's great estates, and getting a behind the scenes look at some of Britain's most intriguing historic homes and gardens.

Kingston Lacy and Corfe Castle feature on the programme scheduled for broadcast on July 25.

At Kingston Lacy Alan looks into the story of William John Bankes, the Egyptologist and aesthete who filled his family mansion with treasures while exiled abroad, but never got to see the home he lovingly created.

Joan Bakewell will hear more about specialist analysis work on a thought to be rare painting, and Alan will be hearing about the National Trust’s conservation grazing work being undertaken by some award-winning Red Devon cattle.

Then, at Corfe Castle Oz Clarke will delve into the story of Mary Bankes, who famously resisted a Parliamentarian siege during the English Civil War.

The series airs on Channel 5, Wednesdays at 9pm.