Wilderness 2026

Wilderness Festival 2026

Wilderness Festival returns to Cornbury Park, near Charlbury in Oxfordshire, from 30th July to 2nd August 2026. Set in a historic deer park surrounded by ancient oak woodlands, this four-day event offers a relaxed, creative countryside retreat.

Music & Entertainment

Experience headline bands and DJs on open-air stages, intimate acoustic sets in hidden glades, outdoor theatre, quirky plays, and spontaneous performances including comedy and dance.

Workshops & Talks

Join hands-on art workshops, craft demonstrations, and inspiring talks covering painting, storytelling, ecology, and sustainability for a truly immersive creative experience.

Food & Wellness

Enjoy artisan food vendors serving wood-fired pizza, vegan curries, and craft beers. Start your day with yoga or wild swimming, and share communal dinners prepared by guest chefs under the trees.

Family Activities

A dedicated family field offers puppet shows, face painting, treasure hunts, imaginative games, and workshops, ensuring fun for children and peace of mind for parents.

Atmosphere

Wilderness blends festive energy with relaxation, creating a warm, communal vibe where guests can explore at their own pace, enjoy quiet nature spots, and connect with new friends.

For public transport, Charlbury station (on the Cotswold Line between Oxford and Worcester) is the most convenient. Great Western Railway and Chiltern Railways trains serve the station regularly. From London, take a train to Oxford (Paddington station) or to Banbury/Bicester (Marylebone station) and change for a local Cotswold Line service to Charlbury (about 30 minutes from Oxford). Trains from Birmingham New Street or Worcester can also reach Charlbury via Banbury or Oxford. Once at Charlbury station, taxis are available for the short onward journey to Cornbury Park. Local buses also connect at Charlbury: the Stagecoach S3 runs between Oxford and Chipping Norton (stopping in Charlbury about hourly), and Pulhams Coaches route X9 links Witney/Chipping Norton with Charlbury. These can be convenient, though check schedules in advance on festival weekends.

By car, the festival site is easy to reach via the M40 motorway. From London or Oxford, take the M40 north to Junction 8 (Bicester) and follow the A44 north-west toward Chipping Norton/Charlbury. From Birmingham or the Midlands, join the M42 south to the M40 and use the same junction. Roads in the Cotswolds are narrow – drive with care and plan extra travel time on summer weekends. Use postcode OX7 3QG for GPS or mapping to reach Cornbury Park. On arrival in Charlbury, follow signs for festival parking (you will need a pre-booked car-park pass to enter). Visitors are encouraged to car-share or use organized coach services whenever possible to ease local traffic.

The nearest airports are London Heathrow (about 50 miles east) and Birmingham Airport (about 70 miles north). Both have good rail connections into Oxford; from there it’s a short train or taxi ride to Charlbury. Stansted, Luton and Gatwick are farther (around 2+ hours travel), so Heathrow or Birmingham are best for international visitors. The festival offers on-site camping and limited glamping for campers; for hotel stays, book early. Charlbury village has a few inns and B&Bs that fill up fast. Many guests stay in nearby towns: Oxford (30–40 minutes by road or train) or Chipping Norton/Witney (20–30 minutes by road) have more hotels and guesthouses. Using a service like Booking.com or contacting Oxfordshire tourism can help find local B&Bs or cottages – just be sure to reserve your accommodation well in advance, as the area is busy in summer.