wellness festivals uk

Inner zen: The best wellness festivals in the UK

17 Apr 2025 | | By Annie Lewis

Get back to nature with these unique retreats designed to inspire

Glastonbury might take centre stage (ahem) when it comes to the UK’s festival circuit, but if your idea of a good time is more green juices and downward dogs than lukewarm cider and rock music, the world of wellbeing has plenty to offer. According to the Global Wellness Institute, in 2024 the international wellness industry reached a new peak worth of $6.3 trillion (a six per cent share of global GDP) and is forecast to hit $9 trillion by 2028 – and wellness festivals are certainly playing their part. 

Eschewing wild parties for wild swims, the UK’s plethora of wellness festivals are now firm fixtures for those who love good music, movement and mindfulness, where they can come together to celebrate in a like-minded community. Expect sauna sessions, Pilates classes, insightful talks and run clubs all before lunch, with dancing the night away to feel-good music still firmly on the table. Sound like your type of festival? Discover our favourite UK wellness festivals to book now. 

The Big Retreat, Pembrokeshire

When: 23-26 May 2025

Where: Newton Farm, Lawrenny, Wales, SA68 0PL

Set in the picturesque Welsh village of Lawrenny, The Big Retreat returns for its seventh year in 2025 with four days of feel-good fun. Hailed as a life-changing experience by former retreaters, attendees are immersed in the heart of nature for a holistic journey of wellness, community and music – think less Glasto, and something far more restorative and relaxing. From yoga and meditation sessions, to nutrition workshops and outdoor activities, The Big Retreat offers a diverse range of experiences tailored to suit every individual. Head to the Wellness Spa – home to cold plunge baths, saunas, and hot tubs, as well as a treatment menu offering massages and facial yoga workshops – before taking in a music programme headlined by Newton Faulkner, Gok Wan, and The Abba Tribute Band. 

Visit thebigretreatfestival.com

Mind Body Spirit Festival, London

Mind Body Spirit Festival, London wellness festivals uk

What: 23-26 May 2025

Where: Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX

One of London’s biggest wellness festivals, Mind Body Spirit celebrates all things wellness, personal growth and spirituality. The main stage is hosted by dynamic ‘joyologist’ and performer Donna Easton, who will invite psycho medium Stevie Fraine, chakra expert Nicky Alan and sound meditator Anna Malone, among others, to impart their wisdom across the four-day event. Over at the wellbeing studio, London favourite Triyoga will be hosting a series of workshops showcasing a variety of flows designed to inspire, while the Midlife Wisdom stage, now in its second year, will focus on all things women’s holistic health, including guidance on menopause, gut health, hormones and life after 50. Finally, discover the vibrant Wellbeing Market to shop books, vitamins, organic beauty products, crystals and more. 

Visit mindbodyspiritfestival.co.uk

Well Read, Berkshire

When: 25-26 May 2025

Where: Wasing Estate, Berkshire, RG7 4LY

2025 will see Berkshire’s Wasing Estate host the first edition of Well Read: a literary festival that invites acclaimed writers, nature lovers and wellness enthusiasts to gather in acres of mystical woodland over a weekend in May. Designed to go beyond the realms of the traditional literary festival, Well Read will feature a captivating blend of talks, readings and panel discussions – hosted by headliners Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Clare Balding CBE and Melissa Hemsley – with topics ranging from parenthood, body ecology, rewilding, gardening, regenerative farming, sustainability, travel and zoology. Elsewhere, adults are invited to relax and rejuvenate at the wild swimming lake, Scandinavian sauna, and woodland meditation sessions, while kids will be inspired in the care of outdoor adventure company Mud and Guts, offering workshops in bushcraft, animal tracking and den building. 

Visit wasing.co.uk

Also Festival, Warwickshire

When: 11-13 July 2025

Where: Park Farm, Compton Verney, Warwick, CV35 9HJ

Set in an historic, Capability Brown-designed landscape, Also Festival is now in its 12th year and has been hailed as one of the best festivals in the world by the likes of Condé Nast Traveller, The Guardian and The Telegraph. Such accolades are well-deserved, given the wide-ranging, eccentric programme designed to get people thinking. Expect life-enhancing talks and big bands on the main stage – Molotov Jukebox and Miranda Sawyer have already been announced – comedy in the woods, long table dinners and creative masterclasses across a serene lakeside location.

Visit also-festival.com

Good Life Society, Hawarden Castle

good life society wellness festivals uk

When: 18 July - 4 August 2025

What: The Walled Garden of Hawarden Castle, Wales, CH5 3NY

The Good Life Society presents a series of micro-festivals across three long weekends in July, each themed around Craft, Families and Outdoors, and Wellness and Adventure. The latter eschews indie bands and rising pop stars for emotional education, face yoga, and sophisticated cheese and wine tastings. At dusk, festival-goers are invited to Campfire Conversations with counsellor Natalie Rossiter before indulging in a communal feast courtesy of Hawarden Estate chefs. Reconnect with the great outdoors via paddleboarding, wild swimming and willow weaving; we promise you’ll leave feeling thoroughly rejuvenated. 

Visit goodlifesociety.co.uk

Wilderness Festival, Oxfordshire

wilderness festival wellness festivals uk
Image: Andrew Whitton

When: 31 July - 3 August 2025

Where: Cornbury Park, Charlbury, OX7 3HL

While Wilderness is a hotspot for Londoners looking to get their festival fix – think Soho House meets the Cotswolds – it is first and foremost a family-friendly celebration of music, art, food, and wellbeing. The music line-up is extensive, but so is the wellbeing programme, which sees the likes of Walthamstow-based yoga studio East of Eden take up a weekend-long residence, alongside Pilates sessions, qigong, tarot readings, spoken word classes and wild runs through Cornbury Park. The offering doesn’t stop there thanks to an array of free workshops ranging from butterfly conservation to forest bathing. Little ones in tow? Keep them thoroughly entertained with horse riding, cosmic crafting, archery and pottery while chefs Anna Haugh, Andy Beynon and Joshua Overington are on hand to keep the whole family well fed all weekend. 

Visit wildernessfestival.com

Good Vibrations Festival, East Sussex

Good Vibrations Festival, East Sussex wellnessfestivals uk
Image: Good Vibrations Festival

When: 1-3 August 2025

Where: Pippingford Park Manor, Nutley, TN22 3HW

A magical three-day celebration of wellness and music, Good Vibrations Festival promises to create an experience you’ll carry with you long after the final set is done. Think of this as your invitation to connect with like-minded individuals, embrace individuality and immerse yourself in nature, soundtracked by headliners Soul II Soul, Paul Simon’s Graceland and the London African Gospel Choir. While you’re strongly encouraged to dance the night away, other wellness-focused activities on the agenda include refreshing wild swims, flowing yoga sessions, gong baths and cacao ceremonies. Engage mind, body and soul further with a roster of thought-provoking talks by the likes of Sussex Wildlife and The Deer Initiative, and, when hunger strikes, head to the onsite pub or bustling food court.

Visit goodvibrationssociety.com

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