After two tough years for everyone, the UK’s fastest growing wellbeing festival, The Big Retreat, is back – this time with some healing vibes topping the bill.
Whilst discovery, wellbeing, music, food and drink are still being delivered in scoopfuls, the headline theme of 2022 is about reconnection, celebration and a little bit of much needed repair.
“Everyone feels something has shifted in us during the pandemic and The Big Retreat is shifting too,” says Amber, founder of the Welsh festival set in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
“We’re putting more emphasis on mental health on the main stage this year, where you’ll see some positive energy, laugh out loud comedy, meditation and breath work sessions as well as the usual great music,” Amber added.
The line-up includes wellbeing presenters Maude Hirst and Dylan Ayaloo helping us learn the art of meditation and movement, Laughter Yoga expert Pete Cann and comedy duo, the outrageously funny Scummy Mummies bringing us the joy of mirth and feel-good legend Mr Motivator getting some life back into our limbs.
“We are putting up our new Mind Tent for the first time,” continued Amber. “It will host talks and workshops from an inspiring line up of mental health experts and ambassadors including Matt Johnson and Shahroo Izardi supported by local mental health charities Get the Boys a Lift , The DPJ foundation and The Big Retreat CIC .”
“That festivals such as the Big Retreat are able to run again is great news for people wanting to get back out there and back to (a new) normal,” Amber added.
The festival will run with the usual, special blend of wellbeing and adventure activities. The Chef’s Kitchen returns along with the massively popular Talk Tent, and on the music side, Reef and Toploader headline a rich line up of talent.
The festival is set in historic parkland in Lawrenny, above the stunning secret waterway of the Cleddau river. The boundaries for the National Parks in Wales were drawn up in the house that stood on this site until 1954.
“That we are set to bring our festival goers back here to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has a very special relevance,” continued Amber. “Right here where we are based, our Welsh National Parks were conceived to help heal a traumatised nation after the Second World War. They were created so people could take a break from tough times, get outside and breathe. Places like this have a special power and we are really making our festival focus on the joyful, healing qualities this landscape brings after everything we have all been through in the pandemic.”
Tickets start at £185.90 per person (inc.,booking fee) with a choice of 3 camping areas – plus camper and caravan pitches, Junior tickets are available at £92.95 (incl. booking fee) for children aged 5-15 years with under 5’s entering free
The Big Retreat Festival takes please at Lawrenny Park Estate 3-6 June 22 For tickets, more information and updates
visit thebigretreatfestival.com.
