From the creators of Feather Down Farms comes yet another ‘glamping’ experience. Luxury camping in the style of the Great Explorers in a secluded spot in a Country House Hideout.

Turn back the clock, slow down and expect something completely different with the launch of Country House Hideout, straight from the creators of the hugely successful Feather Down Farm Days.

Carbon neutral, yet luxurious, it’s most certainly ‘glamping’-but not as you know it! Taking its inspiration from the age of the Great Explorers like Stanley and Livingstone, Country House Hideout will transport busy urbanites and their families to an era when children had the freedom to roam and discover nature and the world around them.

Hidden away on the estates of some of England’s finest country houses, small groups of exquisitely designed tents, complete with Days of the Raj style furniture are about to appear as if by magic.  Grand estates will play host to families keen to wind down, relax and step back into the real-life pages of Jules Verne and Arthur Ransome adventure stories.

For once, children can be immersed in a learning environment from yesteryear and be free to discover their natural surroundings instead of being cocooned from them. The luxuriously furnished tent is kitted out with an old fashioned microscope, telescope and there’s even a field telephone whose workings will make your children appreciate that mobiles did not just appear by magic one day out of Carphone Warehouse. No longer need Nature come out of a screen, on Discovery Channel or from the pages of Wikipedia.

Country House Hideaway was conceived by Feather Down Farm’s creator Dutchman, Luite Moraal. It is being launched in Britain by Mark Gordon, an experienced marketer who helped bring Feather Down to the UK in 2006.

Mark Gordon states: “We expect our holidays to be well received, especially by anyone who is fed up with plastic, packaged holidays and fancies a true adventure, yet doesn’t wish to travel too far. In the age of the ‘staycation’ our new holidays tick all the right boxes as they are carbon-neutral, very original, yet educational. Escaping their busy, urban lifestyles will enable the whole family to bond in a memorable setting. In short, they are the kind of holiday that will be remembered by children for years to come - far more than say an expensive trip to The Caribbean!”

In true ‘Great Explorers’ style, treats and luxuries are essential to your Country House Hideout experience; from the proper bath-tub in your own private bathing tent to the wind-up gramophone and library of absorbing books. Even the loo is in a cunningly camouflaged grass-roofed out-house.

Feasts fit for a Victorian Explorer can be prepared on the wood-burning cooking cart, a sort of Aga on-wheels, perfect for lovers of slow food. As with everything on this Hideaway break, the stove is carbon neutral. All your energy and heating needs are met from non fossil fuel sources as they don’t add CO2 to the atmosphere. Bio fuel is used for hot water and heating, whilst electricity is generated by you and your family, with the help of a bicycle hooked up to a dynamo. On average 45 to 60 minutes of pedalling is enough for your daily needs. So you'll keep fit at the same time!

2010 will see a choice of around 10 Country House Hideouts where holidays of 3, 4 or 7 nights will run from Easter to 31 October.

There is, however, a chance to try it now as the first Country Estate, Hamptworth Estate, situated in the New Forest, will open its gates for a limited time this autumn. Four Grand Explorer style tents, all with beautiful views, can be booked from 18 September – 31 October this year. Two families can share one of the roomy tents, making it a great value break for up to 8.

The lead-in price in 2010 is just £265 for 4 nights (Mon-Thurs) for up to 8 persons (maximum 6 adults) so one tent can easily accommodate two families. Weekend rates start from £345.

For reservations contact tel 01420 549150 or see www.countryhousehideout.co.uk