English Country House Camp: Residential Camp in the Hampshire Countryside

Country House Camp is not a formal academic course but an English immersion programme rooted in core values of Acceptance, Independence, Responsibility and Teamwork. The camp runs two English sessions every day, except on excursion days, taught by TEFL/TESOL certified teachers following a British Council curriculum. The sessions are practical, fun and engaging, using a hands-on approach to solidify English knowledge gained at school and put it into immediate practice. All activities take place in English, with campers required to speak English at all times. There are leaders with knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian on site to assist if needed. All levels of English are catered for, from complete beginners to fluent speakers. Native English speakers join the Senior Girls Programme with challenging sessions on debating, charity work and social issues, or take part in special extra activities during the morning English sessions. Group sizes are small due to the camp's limited capacity of 40 girls per session.

The base package includes accommodation in shared rooms, all meals, two English sessions daily, all scheduled activities and electives, evening activity programmes, excursions to London and the countryside, an external trip to an adventure centre, theme park or similar, and a black tie dinner and party at the end of the stay. A complimentary pickup and drop-off service is offered from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports on the first and last day of each session. Flights outside the standard 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM time period incur a surplus charge. Optional extras at additional cost include: riding lessons, golf lessons, extra tennis coaching, and private English lessons.

Girls are housed in the country home in shared rooms of up to 8 or 9 girls per room. They sleep in proper beds and have plenty of bathrooms. Staff are in the house at all times, providing full supervision. Campers are expected to make their own beds, tidy their things, and help clear their own plates, as well as tidy communal areas at the end of the day. A rota system allows children to take turns hoovering their bedrooms and bathrooms at least once during the stay. The camp is technology free – mobile phones, tablets, laptops and similar devices are not allowed.

Three meals per day are provided, with great emphasis on well-prepared, home-made food with plenty of fruit and vegetables. All meals are served family style. There is a particular point made of helping children try new foods as an essential part of living a new culture and growing up, while also providing familiar tastes children love.

The programme offers a balanced combination of structured morning activities and free choice in the afternoons. Mornings are assigned to ensure all campers experience a rotation of creative, performing, and physical activities. Afternoons allow campers to follow their personal interests and specialise in areas they enjoy most. Throughout the week, the camp also hosts external workshops led by visiting professionals, bringing in new and exciting disciplines each year. Evenings are filled with social events, team games, talent showcases, and campfire gatherings that bring the whole community together. Excursions form a key part of the experience, with trips to London, the surrounding countryside, and external adventure centres, theme parks, or similar attractions. Older girls participate in the Senior Girls Programme, which includes leadership and debate workshops, a charity project, and additional independence-building activities. The week culminates in a black tie gala, where campers present a showcase of their work and celebrate their achievements.

On-site facilities include over 40 acres of grounds and woods with a tennis court, heated swimming pool (fully fenced, supervised by a lifeguard), football and golf areas, a private wood, fields, vegetable garden, swings, trampolines, outdoor playrooms and more. There is no WiFi – the camp is technology free. Off-site, the camp has excellent access to sights including Stonehenge, Winchester Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Oxford, Blenheim Palace and Highclere Castle. The camp is near a picturesque and historic village in Hampshire, birthplace of Jane Austen and Dickens, with lovely countryside and river walks nearby.

Country House Camp is part of ninetonineworld, an educational consultancy. The camp has a staff to camper ratio of 1:6, with directors working directly with children and staff. All English teachers are TEFL/TESOL certified and all monitors are English native speakers. The camp has a charity link with Over the Wall, a charity that helps children with serious illnesses, and works with Inspire to run volunteering projects in Africa. The camp promotes core values of Acceptance, Independence, Responsibility and Teamwork through healthy fun programmes, with plenty of time outdoors. Campers are expected to dress and undress and bathe themselves, make their own beds, tidy their things, clear plates and tidy communal areas. The camp culminates in a black tie dinner and party where children put together a show of work prepared during their stay. There are dogs and other animals on site, and children must be comfortable with some contact with dogs. All children must be able to swim at a reasonable level (Red Cross Level 2 equivalent).