THERE’S camping – and there’s Layer Marney camping.

Nicholas and Sheila Charrington, owners of the Grade I listed Layer Marney Tower, have taken part inaTV series to find the best campsites in Britain.

The show, Four in a Campbed, is a spin off of the popular Channel 4 show Four in a Bed in which bed and breakfast owners sample and critique each others's businesses.

In the new series, however, it is the turn of campsites to come under scrutiny, including the plush encampment in the woods in the grounds of Tudor gatehouse Layer Marney Tower.

And at Layer Marney, it is no Boy Scout arrangement, instead,there is tented luxury. Each of the six tents, named after the wives of Henry VIII, have wood floors, comfortable double beds, plumbed-in toilets and wood burning stoves.

Outside, there are three hot tubs and heated showers.

Gazette:

Mr and Mrs Charrington took up the challenge to sample other outdoor holiday experiences as well as hosting visitors to Layer Marney. Mr Charrington described the other accommodation, which was in Norfolk and Kent, as “varied”.

He said: “I can’t pretend this was the best fortnight of my life, since neither Sheila or I are used to facing cameras day in and day out.

“Nevertheless, it was a fascinating experience and we very much enjoyed meeting and staying with the other contestants. We do hope we did the team at Layer Marney Tower justice.”

Each of the contestants judges the other venues to find the winner.

The show is on Channel 4 from October 5 to9 when the winner will be revealed.