SUMMER
eventsSomething Wild
Trail Festival
August 2-4, west DevonLonger races can be hard to come by in
summer, but if you don’t mind running when
it’s warmer, there’s a distance to suit
everyone at this family-friendly weekend of
off-road challenges. On the Saturday, under
11s can try the kids’ 1km or 2km fun runs;
then there’s a 5km and 10km. If you’re keen,
use Saturday’s race as a warm-up for a half,
full or ultra marathon on the Sunday. Race
HQ is a secluded valley in Dartmoor National
Park. And when you’re not running, there are
speakers, bands and local food to refuel you
at the festival campsite on Huxworthy Farm.
Other activities include a guided wild swim,
wild walk and yoga, plus a forest school for
little ones. A weekend camping ticket starts
from £20 per person (£10 children); race
entries start at £5, something-wild.co.uk.5 Verve Festival
September 7-8, south Wiltshire^
Brand new for 2019 is this mini festival
offering ‘healthy hedonism’ for adults and
kids alike on a farm in Cranborne Chase,
an area of outstanding beauty in rural south
Wilts. As well as boutique shopping and
glamping, you can indulge in breathwork,
meditation, sound bathing, woodland
exercise classes and a wild spa. A panel of
speakers chat about all aspects of health,
sleep and nutrition. And if that’s too much
for the kids (who go free), they can keep
busy with their own yoga, crafts, fire-
building and foraging classes. Food and
drink are locally sourced and there’s a bar
and DJ for evening fun. Day tickets cost
£75 or it’s £260 for a weekend family pass,
feeltheverve.com.
3 Soul Circus
August 16-19, CotswoldsThis family-friendly yoga and wellbeing festival is
now in its fourth year and promises a bigger line-up than
ever. Escape to a rural retreat and rejuvenate with talks,
activities and masterclasses by day, and a chance to party
by night. Music and the arts are key, so expect everything
from soothing acoustics and gong baths to driving
drum and bass and dance music (Goldie and Norman
Jay are the star DJs). Enjoy hot tubs and massages
in the Soul Circus Spa (extra cost), delicious fresh
food and cooking demos, and tipis offering everything
from acro yoga to life drawing and dance classes.
A weekend ticket is priced at £199;
and from £79 for day passes,
visit soulcircus.yoga.