Preview: Wilderness Festival
Quite possibly the smartest festival in the UK, Wilderness (now in its fifth year) has gained a cult following among foodies, theatre and music lovers alike.
Set in the beautiful parkland of Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire, the location couldn’t be more idyllic. By day, festival goers swim in the lakes, partake in Long Bow Archery, go on foraging and philosophy walks and even riding. If these don’t take your fancy you can always go to one of the many talks and debates covering everything from politics to life advice. For theatre lovers there really is something for everyone, from the Oxford Shakespeare company to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
With all this you would be forgiven for thinking that the music comes second, well not so fast, because with headliners such as Bjork and Ben Howard as well as a whole host of rising stars, it’s a music-lovers paradise. For those ravers, it’s the “Hidden Valley” where you should head at nightfall where you can dance beneath the trees, be impressed by the awe-inspiring light show and amazing music. For those of you who manage to stay late into the night, make sure you don’t miss the Gorilla Circus Aerial Spectacles.
If there’s one factor that makes Wilderness stand out from the ever-growing array of summer festivals it would have to be the food and drink. With names such as Raymond Blanc, Angela Hartnett, Mark Hix, and Petersham Nurseries, there’s nowhere else you can find such quality in the great outdoors.
For those who haven’t sampled Wilderness, it really is a must. With all the elements of a fantasy land where however much you party, you still feel enlightened, refreshed and relaxed. Maybe this is due to the fresh juices, educational talks, the gorgeous healthy eating or the countless well-being workshops, who knows? All we can say is that Wilderness sounds like our kind of festival.
For those of you looking for something different this weekend there are still 500 tickets remaining. With boutique camping, hot showers and posh loos… now that’s a gentleman’s festival.
Visit: wildernessfestival.com
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Further reading
Wilderness festival preview: The highlight of the Great British Summer returns
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