Wilderness festival comes with a touch of magic

Between the trees of the Cornbury Estate, just outside Charlbury, Something beautiful is happening.

Where once there were just stands of oaks, lakes and grazing deer, a festival has taken shape – and it is unlike any most of us have seen before.

A celebration of the British countryside in the great outdoors, it combines music, art, theatre, film, workshops, exercise, and luxurious living – all in fabulous surroundings.

Its name is Wilderness, and it all springs into life tomorrow. And between then and Sunday night, when it comes to a close, it will feature dozens of bands and artists, food cooked by top-notch chefs and a bewildering range of outdoor activities.

“Wilderness offers a bit of everything,” says festival director, Jo Vidler.

“People come for the whole experience. We have a great line-up but also loads of great food and drink, and other things going on.

“It will be great fun while also expanding the mind.”

And with chefs of the calibre of Yotem Ottolenghi, Valentine Warner, Fergus Henderson, and Sam & Sam Clark from Moro laying on banquets and treats, it may also expand the waist.

This is certainly not a festival where you are going to have to rely on greasy burgers.

“Cornbury is such a beautiful location and really lends itself to what we are doing, and we are making the most of the site,” says Jo.

“So we’ll be going for fun runs in the morning, holding bush craft sessions, foraging for food, and wild swimming in the lake.”

In addition, there will be movies from Future Cinema, art from The Drawing Room, drama from Creation and The Factory, parties from the Old Vic Tunnels, talks, games, cricket, woodland walks, history talks, fun for children and a session form the people at the Oxford Observatory.

Festival-goers can even learn how to fly fish or ride a horse.

And, should it all get too much, the lakeside has been transformed into a forest spa, with waterside hot tubs, a sauna and champagne bar.

By night things get swinging with parties in the woods. Tomorrow’s has a Bugsy Malone theme, complete with splurge fights, and a circus-style ‘rumpus’ in the woods, while Saturday sees a glamorous masked ball.

Sunday night, meanwhile, has been dubbed Rise of the Tribes.

“Dressing up is big at Wilderness,” says Jo, who is also director of the cult hit Secret Garden Party.

“You can bring your own outfit, or we’ll dress you.”

And with those people from Vintage Festival also on site, there should be no shortage of creative outfitting opportunities.

Vintage, the festival set up by fashion designer Wayne Hemingway, is shacking up with Wilderness after abandoning its own bash in Northamptonshire due to lower than expected ticket sales.

The event, which revels in the best of British music, film, fashion, art and design, will have its own dedicated area including its flagship nightclubs, The Torch Club and Soul Casino, “Having Vintage this year is going to be brilliant,” says Jo.

“They are going to be playing northern soul and will have lots of shops – which will come in handy. They will fit in well.

“There is so much going on this weekend that people needn’t see a single band,” she goes on, though insists you wouldn’t want to miss any of them.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” she adds. “It’ll be a real knees-up and there’ll be an amazing vibe.”

Up to 10,000 people are expected at Cornbury Park for the weekend, and ticket sales have been strong despite competition from the Olympics and other festivals.

“It’s doing really well,” says Jo. “Last year went well and we hope this year will be even better.

“It’s already got a great reputation and people are excited about coming back again and doing new stuff. It is growing through word of mouth.”

And what’s the secret of its success? “It’s that sense that when you get here, you feel at home,” she says.

“It’s your space for the weekend and people feel relaxed. It’s a great festival. It really is my heart and soul – it’s part of us. We’ve got it exactly how we want it – and nothing else compares to it.”

FIVE STEPS TO A PERFECT WILDERNESS:

• Dress up. It doesn’t have to be elaborate – you can wait until you get there or even grab a mask, but you’ll be glad you made the effort when the fun starts happening down in the woods.
   
• Learn something new. Get busy with a fishing rod, light fires with sticks, or take to the saddle on a trek through the forest. Or follow the example of The Guide’s very own photographer at last year’s festival, by joining a late night art class and becoming an expert at life drawing – or even a model.
   
• Pamper yourself. Take advantage of the spa; there is no better experience than sipping a tall glass of something fizzy in a hot tub with new friends – then cooling off with a dip in the lake.
   
• Support the locals. The festival is only there because the good people of Charlbury and Finstock allow it. Show a bit of appreciation by supporting the local schools whose stalls bring in vital funds – while feasting on hog roast, homemade cake and tea from a china cup.
   
• Don’t miss the bands. It’s no Reading or V Festival. The bands at Wilderness couldn’t be less commercial, and it’s a privilege to have quality acts like Wilco, Spiritualized and Grant Lee Buffalo playing. And if The Temper Trap are on the same form as they were at Truck, we’re in for a real treat.
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• Wilderness takesplace at Cornbury Park, Charlbury, from tomorrow to Sunday. For tickets and further details go to wildernessfestival.com