Wonderful Wilderness

Last weekend, I spent three nights at Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire with my husband and some friends. We stayed in our campervan and they slept in tents at the campsite a few fields away. We clocked up 20 thousand steps each day walking from our base to the main festival ground. I did, however, quite like it back at our camp, as a respite from the loud music - I am so old. It was chilled, sipping drinks and chatting in our deckchairs, soaking up the sun, before heading towards the food vans, where we devoured Japanese gyozas, pasta, pizza slices and the most delicious vegan churros - not all at the same time.

Meet up point at Wilderness...

We watched a comedy show but it was quite risque for children, although, parents were pre-warned of the adult content. This did not deter kids from clinging to the edge of the stage and looking up in awe, even when one of the actors talked via his bottom. You had to be there - although, maybe you didn't. There were some other eye opening sights too, such as the naked couple wandering around hand in hand, a man in chaps with a piercing at the front, plus plenty of cheeky bums escaping from glittery costumes and we glimpsed a male streaker darting across the cricket pitch too. Mostly, though, people wore bright, summery or colourful clothes, covered in sequins, fancy dress and some were wearing fairy wings.

Fairy lights on the walk to the fun fair...

My favourite fun fair ride as a child...

The beautiful lake...

It was a buzzing and friendly atmosphere. Families ambled happily along, pulling behind them canvas carts carrying their little ones, cosy amongst blankets, cushions, soft toys and books. The weather was hot and sunny, so we swam in the lake to cool down, which was immensely refreshing. Afterwards, we languished on the grassy banks to dry off, then went back to have a shower before joining the main throng again. I used dry shampoo to tide me over for the four days, as couldn't handle washing it in the tiny cubicles. We passed people doing yoga and meditation in yurts along the way and went inside the book tent. There was so much to see and do.

Book tent line up...

Meditation yurt...

Aurora on stage...

We danced along to the enchanting Aurora, feelgood Supergrass and outstanding Orbital on the Friday and Saturday nights. We missed out seeing Basement Jaxx, who played the last evening after we had left. I must admit I felt a sense of relief being back home, sleeping in a proper bed with a shower and toilet near by. It was a fabulous festival but I think I am more of a homebird and less of a party animal these days but I would totally recommend it...

Cocktail bar near to The House of Sublime with cabaret acts...

Spectacular costumes for the 2025 theme of Bright Ideas...