Festivals have flourished across the UK in the last decade – but we think The Good Life Experience festival has something special to it.
It is all about celebrating the Great Outdoors with live music, book readings, cooking demonstrations, talks, vintage cycle races and much more.
It’s taking place on 18, 19 and 20 September at the Hawarden Estate near Chester.
We’ve picked out six highlights we think you shouldn’t miss at this weekend’s festival…
P.S. Make sure you check the schedule times when you get there, in case they’ve changed
1) Listen to adventurous tales from Ben Fogle
Saturday – Great Outdoors Tent, 2.30pm
Yes, the writer/traveller/adventurer himself is at The Good Life talking about his experiences all over the globe. It’s a great chance to ask the man himself any burning questions you might have.
2) Take part in the Big Chef’s Debate
Saturday – Cooks & Book, 4.30pm
This looks set to be really good – five major chefs all talking about everything food related in front of your very eyes – including Thomasina Miers (founder of Wahaca).
3) Q&A with photographer Vivienne Rickman Poole
Saturday – Great Outdoors Tent, 6.45pm
Vivienne Rickman Poole is a photographer who mainly captures images of wild swimming and waters in North Wales. Back in 2013, she swam and explored all of the Llyns in Snowdonia and has since appeared on the cover of Elbow’s new single. Don’t miss her Q&A on Saturday.
4) Dance away to DJ78
Various times throughout the weekend – Music Tent
DJ78 is a DJ like no other. He has two 1930s gramophones which has plays a whole mish-mash of tunes from 1950s rock n roll to dance bands from the 1920s. Guaranteed to not only get you dancing, but send you back in a time warp to a different era.
5) Watch the Eroica Britannia
Sunday – 12pm
When the first Eroica Britannia took place in 2014, it was a huge success – thousands of pre-1987 bikes with handsomely dressed riders flew through the Peak District.
The team are coming to The Good Life to stage their own vintage bike ride. Participants are encouraged to dress up in “handsome clothing” and cycle a 25km route around the Hawarden estate. Join in by signing up here or watch the spectacle fly by.
6) Go foraging with Roger Phillips
Sunday – Great Outdoors Tent, 1.30pm
‘Mushroom maestro’ isn’t a name you’d give to most people, but Roger Phillips truly deserves it. He’s an expert in world plants, dedicating his life to photographing and writing about them.
He will be leading a mushroom hunt and talk on Sunday – guaranteed to be a totally engaging and eye-opening experience.
There is so much more to take in at this year’s Good Life Festival that we couldn’t squeeze in – from yoga classes to sausage making workshops to literary talks.
Take a look at the full line-up here. There are still tickets left – buy them here, while you still can.
