Wilderness is a groundbreaking new festival of music, food, theatre, literary debate and outdoor pursuits. Located among the lakes, forests and parkland of Oxfordshire’s exquisite Cornbury Estate on August 12-14.
Wilderness is set to redefine the festival experience for 2011. Curated by the organisers of Secret Garden Party and MAMA Festivals, Wilderness will be a weekend of freedom and inspiration for all free-spirited festival lovers. Performances, fireside banquets and theatrical spectaculars set amongst the stunning lakes and meadows of the ancient Wychwood Forest.
Music
The finest names in musicianship are set to perform, including Antony and the Johnsons, Mercury Rev, Laura Marling, Daniel Johnston, Gogol Bordello, The Low Anthem, Dry The River, Guillemots, Toots & The Maytals, Robyn Hitchcock, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and Hayseed Dixie.
Food
Headlining the festival’s two flagship outdoor dining experiences will be Michelin-starred chef Skye Gyngell of Petersham Nurseries Café and Sam and Sam Clark from Moro restaurant. Both will act as hosts and culinary maestros of the daily banquets for 800 people.
Theatre
A full program of theatre, performance and arts activities will be on offer and will be curated by the people behind one of the best-known and best loved theatres in the world, The Old Vic, with their spin-off The Old Vic Tunnels. The Tax Deductable Theatre Company and Factory Theatre will also put on a range of shows for people to enjoy.
Literary Debate
Wilderness will come alive with stimulating debate, innovative visions and shared thinking. London’s popular Intelligence Squared and Idler Academy organisations will be the headline partners in a four-tent marathon of thought-provoking experiences, lectures and seminary.
Family
Family activities are very much at the heart of the festival with a dedicated and extensive children’s area and programme, which will enchant, entertain and excite children across the weekend.
The magical children’s field will be filled with an array of creative and fun experiences for kids to get involved in. The team at The Flying Seagull will be providing a variety of entertainment based in a beautiful gypsy-esque open-sided pavilion tent with vintage horsebox and Willy Wonker style stage.
Wilderness Spa
Restorative healing treatments and yoga workshops will also be on offer in the Well Being area for rejuvenation. The Wilderness Spa, set alongside the beautiful lakes, will offer festival-goers hot tubs, saunas and massages. Where else in the world can you be in a hot tub and jump straight into crystal clear lakes?
Late Night Parties
The Secret Garden Party, the award-winning festival which last week sold out of all tickets for this year’s event, will be presiding over a late-night concept party on the Friday night. Aptly titled ‘Where The Wild Things Are’, this will be the only other opportunity to catch the antics of the Secret Garden crew this summer.
Published on 15 June 2011 by DavidCullingham
