Anyone who has wandered through a festival campsite has witnessed the postapocalyptic scenes of abandoned tents, stacks of single use plastic cups and overflowing chemical toilets. Now there’s a new wave of sustainable festivals, including Summer Camp – a series of events in North Wales, taking place across four weekends in July.
Festivals have long been a summer tradition in the UK, with some of the most iconic originating here. Synonymous with wellies, winding portaloo queues and all-day drinking, the darker side of festivals is often overlooked.
Summer Camp firmly distances itself from what we’ve come to know as a traditional festival focusing on workshops, wellness, feasts and freedom whilst ensuring sustainable practices are adhered to.
The series of micro-festivals are set in the Walled Garden on the private grounds of Hawarden Estate, North East Wales, and offer a rural escape for explorers, families, couples, and friends.
Brought to you by The Good Life Society, creators of intimate events, experiences, workshops and holiday accommodation, Summer Camp is a celebration of nature and the great outdoors. Guests can look forward to a peaceful retreat in which to unwind, eat delicious food, meet new people, and learn how to live a more sustainable life. From the fully recyclable wristbands to the locally sourced produce used, Summer Camp endeavours to ensure the best experience possible with the least environmental impact.
Summer Camp attendees can expect an unrivalled programme of expeditions, workshops, and inspiring talks from a stellar line-up of world experts in nature and craft. Much of the line-up is centred around teaching guests how to lead a more sustainable life including clothes and tool mending sessions. Highlights from the line-up include; fly fishing with Atsushi Hasegawa, pottery with Katalina Caliendo, natural wine tasting with Eoghan Neburagho, guided foraging walks with Lisa Cutcliffe, as well as live music and DJ sets.
A ‘small, friendly, comfortable retreat’ Summer Camp is limited to 125 guests and experts, allowing attendees to rest, recharge and learn in a place of sanctuary, far from the hustle and bustle.
A special highlight is the food offering, sustainably sourced from British producers, guests can enjoy wine, cheese, and cider tastings alongside expertly prepared rustic evening feasts. Campfire cooking demos hosted by guest chefs use wood from trees that have naturally fallen on the estate, which are then replanted after the event. Guests are encouraged to purchase reusable enamel mugs to minimise the use of plastics, these can be selected from the bar which is stocked exclusively with products from trusted suppliers.
Guests can expect to leave feeling inspired and refreshed. It’s easy to see why when relaxation comes in the form of wellness classes, a pop-up spa, unlimited access to the wood-fired hot tub and sauna, and wild swimming in the estate’s private lake overlooking the historic Hawarden Castle grounds.
There is a range of accommodation available with an option to suit everyone. From peaceful camping pitches set amongst apple trees, pre-pitched bell tents with cosy bedding, to luxury glamping tents kitted out with just about everything, a great night’s sleep is on the agenda. Damaged tents are sent to be repaired ensuring a long sustainable life, rather than being disposed of and replaced year on year.
For those looking for a little added luxury, the recently renovated Georgian Gardener’s House offers beautifully furnished private rooms with king-size beds, three bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen. There’s also a new custom-built luxury Beekeeper’s shepherd Hut, complete with a double bed, private outdoor area, fire pit and fully powered by solar panels.
The Walled Garden has been equipped with traditional toilet facilities, guaranteeing no need for the use of potentially harmful chemical toilets.
Non-camping day tickets are available for those who would like to attend the events without the need for accommodation.
Tara Gladstone, Senior Director of The Good Life Society, comments: “We don’t do anything in half measures. We have strived to create the perfect weekend escape and every detail has been carefully thought out – this covers everything from guest experience, to ensuring we have sustainable measures in place.”
“Maintaining the festival’s eco-credentials is a key part of our mission, we aim to change our guests lives for the better without any negative impact to the environment. The estate is also our family home which adds an extra layer of appreciation for our surroundings and emphasises the importance of treating the land in a respectful way.
“We enable guests to live the good life and are confident we can persuade even the most die-hard festival goer to see the benefits of being a little more sustainably minded and lessening the damaging impact of some festivals.”
The Summer Camp events are conveniently located just a 15-minute drive away from Chester, which has direct train links to London in just 2 hours. Tickets are on sale now and start from £110 per person per day.
Summer Camp takes place on the following long weekends:
- July 7th – 10th
- July 14th – 17th
- July 21st – 24th
- July 28th – 31st
For more information and to view the full line up, please visit: