Festivals were once playgrounds reserved for young hedonists, but there’s now a new breed of these events from which you’ll emerge feeling refreshed rather than frazzled.
With health and fitness at their heart, they offer the chance to enjoy yoga, wild swimming and group runs with thousands of like-minded people – and there’s live music, too.
‘It’s part of a trend towards wanting to feel better and to move more – and be more mindful about what you are eating and drinking,’ says Theo Larn-Jones, who co-founded the running and music event Love Trails in 2016.
‘People love the fun of a festival and there is something about getting together, being part of a crowd and listening to amazing music.
‘But people don’t want to compromise other lifestyle changes they’ve made around fitness and wellbeing. We want them to have an amazing time and to come away feeling better and inspired.’
From exploring ancient caves, to pop-music-themed running classes, here’s our pick of the best UK wellness festivals of 2020.
Whether you’re a beginner or marathon veteran, exhaust yourself at Love Trails (pictured) – an outdoor festival dedicated to running
1. Run wild along the beaches of South Wales
LOVE TRAILS
July 2 to 5, Weobley Castle, Llanrhidian, Gower Peninsula
Whether you’re a beginner or marathon veteran, exhaust yourself at this outdoor festival dedicated to running.
Explore South Wales’s beachy Gower Peninsula on a guided trail run or a dip in the sea and a spot of surfing. At night, there’s live music, DJs and comedy for those who choose to stay on and camp. Fitness fanatics can even stretch their legs once more on a night run or walk under the stars.
Weekend tickets from £119 for adults and £49 for children; lovetrailsfestival.co.uk.
2. Downward dog by day, party by night
SOUL CIRCUS
August 21 to 23, Elmore, Gloucestershire
There are hundreds of classes to take part in at Soul Circus – including sunrise yoga and mindfulness workshops
Stretch out in a yoga tipi and treat yourself to a massage in the lakeside spa at this wellness festival, set in the Gloucestershire countryside.
There are hundreds of classes to take part in – including sunrise yoga and mindfulness workshops, which should leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised.
When night falls, there’s music, DJs and live performances into the early hours. You can camp, or just go for the day.
Weekend tickets from £175 for adults, free for children under 15; soulcircus.yoga.
3. An adrenaline rush in the Somerset hills
TOP OF THE GORGE
June 12 to 14, Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
A weekend of adventure is in store at this National Trust-run festival in Somerset’s magnificent Cheddar Gorge. Climbing, caving and walking are among the activities – and live music for those not too worn out by the end of the day.
If you fancy a challenge, there’s also road cycling, mountain biking and running events – including a 3km, a half-marathon and a full marathon. Day and weekend camping tickets are available.
Weekend tickets from £65 for adults and £22 for children; nationaltrust.org.uk/topofthegorge.
4. Recharge amid the Welsh countryside
THE BIG RETREAT, WALES
May 22 to 25, Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire
Set within the picturesque Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, The Big Retreat is family-friendly, with plenty to keep children away from their smartphones
This four-day fitness-focused event boasts everything from Clubbercise – a rave-inspired workout – to Nordic walking, as well as a whole programme of yoga.
Set within the picturesque Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, it’s family-friendly, with plenty to keep children away from their smartphones, including wild foraging and arts and crafts.
You can also go wild swimming and sing as part of a choir.
Day and weekend camping tickets are available.
Weekend tickets from £189 for adults, £60 for children aged six to 17; thebigretreatwales.co.uk.
5. Triathlons beside spectacular lakes
KESWICK MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
May 15 to 17, Keswick, Cumbria
Revellers can sign up for triathlons or separate running, swimming and cycling challenges at the Keswick Mountain Festival – with 18 events taking place over three days
For competitive types, this festival in the heart of the Lake District is the obvious choice.
Revellers can sign up for triathlons or separate running, swimming and cycling challenges – with 18 events taking place over three days.
There are also inspirational talks and two nights of music, as well as hiking and water-based activities.
Book soon as the event typically fills up quickly, with 20,000 attending every year. Day and weekend tickets available.
Weekend tickets from £50 adults, £30 for children without camping; keswickmountainfestival.co.uk
6. Run and dance with Chris Evans
RUNFESTRUN
May 22 to 24, Windsor Great Park
At RunFestRun, there are runs for novices and for more experienced runners, including a half-marathon through Windsor Great Park, as well as dedicated ‘party runs’ and fitness classes
One for party-goers, this is the brainchild of Chris Evans.
The Virgin Radio DJ described the weekend event as ‘the first festival I’ve ever been to that made me feel better after it was over than I did before it began’.
There are runs for novices and for more experienced runners, including a half-marathon through Windsor Great Park, as well as dedicated ‘party runs’ and fitness classes.
Bands including Toploader and 1990s girl group All Saints are also set to perform.
Day and weekend camping tickets available.
Weekend tickets from £155 for adults, £70 for children aged six to 16; runfestrun.co.uk.