More than 2,000 people converged on the festival site in Lawrenny, situated in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, for a feel-good weekend of music, fitness, discovery and celebration. Headliners Toploader, Reef, and Huey Morgan provided music on the festival’s main stage, while 90’s legend Mr Motivator drew the largest crowds on the fitness bill. But with more than 300 different experiences on offer, festival goers rarely stopped during an action-packed weekend in south-west Wales.

Big Retreaters were treated to tales of adventure and inspiration from some of the UK’s leading adventurers including Al Mennie, Alistair Humphreys, and Matt Pritchard at the Festival’s storytelling stage at the Roaring Fire Pit. Whilst experts and environmentalists, including Laura Tobin, Marian Boswell and Ellen Mary Gardening, filled the Darwin’s Den stage with thought provoking science and inspiration for connecting with the natural world.

The uplifting sound of song and laughter filled the weekend, as The Magic Teapot music venue led the activities in the Mind Space; with a programme of activities and workshops to promote positive mental health. Supported by local mental health initiatives Get the Boys a Lift,  DPJ foundation and The Big Retreat Community.

Acclaimed UK Chefs Ryan Riley, Joe Woodhouse, and Laura Lovatt cooked up a storm in the Chef’s Kitchen; whilst authors and speakers including Matt Johnson, Maude Hirst, and The Scummy Mummies led thought provoking conversations with a touch of comedy in the Talk Tent.

Across the Big Retreat, festival goers took part in a smorgasbord of health and wellbeing activities, from breathwork to yoga, danceSing to RikaShake in the Soul Space and Energy Field; with Little Retreaters joining the tribe with a host creative and fun learning activities from The Super Pirates and Cymbrogi Futures. Whilst the Tangled Woods bristled under a canopy of creativity with classes and workshops in bushcraft and crochet, to forest bathing and stone balancing.

The Big Retreat Festival will return for three unforgettable days of relaxation and reflection, 1 - 4 June 2023. Limited Early Bird Tickets are available now.

For tickets, information, and to keep up to date with the 2023 programme, visit thebigretreatfestival.com.