If you go down to the woods today you’ll be in for a lovely surprise. The Good Life Experience is taking place in the unusual, historic and setting of the Hawarden Estate against the backdrop of not one but two breathtaking castles. It’s The Great British Bake Off, meets Bear Grylls, meets The Tube and is all about making memories, getting back to nature and rediscovering simple pleasures. You’ll leave recharged not drained – and that includes your wallet.
The event founded by Cerys Mathews MBE, award winning DJ at BBC Radio 2 and a collective of very connected friends with curious and explorative minds, experience of late nights and wild adventures, has resulted in a spirited festival that is all about rediscovering simple pleasures, re-energising and reinvigorating the senses.
Cerys’ musical credentials means performance and raucous music plays a huge part, with artists including iconic DJ Norman Jay MBE hand-picked by Cerys herself. But Festivalgoers can also kick back and enjoy a yoga or tai chi session, axe throwing, foraging, campfire cooking sessions with world class chefs, sushi workshops, abseiling from Hawarden Castle, a dog diving competition (belly flops are perfectly acceptable), harmonica lessons, wild swimming, talks by explorers and expert craftspeople, mass sing-a-longs, today’s feast served by The Vegetarian Society and beer served by experts, screen printing, stone masonry, guitar making and calligraphy. A free 1930s fairground and an eclectic line-up including songwriting royalty Guy Chambers and Wahaca founder Thomasina Miers.
Our Sunday treat to ourselves: the aquatic programme led by one of Britain’s most inspiring adventurers – artist, educator and outdoor swimmer Vivienne Rickman-Poole. Vivienne lives in the mountains of Snowdonia and knows and all the elements for a pleasurable, inspiring swim. There’ll be a lakeside fire, with marshmallows and tea to banish even the smallest hint of a post-splash chill and one last surprise with Vivienne’s programme but we can’t tell you what it is.
The Good Life Experience, Hawarden Estate, Wales
Tickets for 2020 here.
