The Good Life Experience is a pretty new family friendly festival that we’ve just discovered. It’s held at the Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, Flintshire 16th – 18th September this year. It’s described as a back to basics festival with a focus on craftsmanship and ancient skills and sounds like a perfect way to end the summer. The Telegraph featured it in their top 20 best family summer festivals list
The festival was set up in 2014 by broadcaster, musician and writer Cerys Matthews, record industry and arts consultant Steve Abbott, and farmers and authors Charlie and Caroline Gladstone. The Good Life Experience website says the inspiration for the event came from a yearning to create a festival that was honest and straightforward that could be enjoyed by older generations and their families (yes, that’s us!). The festival places value in outdoor living, books, food and drink, and music. It also features talks from prominent explorers and television personalities so is much more than a regular music festival.
This year, the event will include lots activities for families who love the great outdoors. Campfire cooking displays, tree climbing, bug and butterfly workshops, and much more.
For the food lovers, there will plenty of delicious grub on offer along with demonstrations from celebrity chefs. Tom Herbert from The Fabulous Baker Brothers and Gill Meller of River Cottage will be among those attending. For those looking for something a little stronger (yes, that’s us too), there will be a craft beer tent as well as some of the finest whiskies and cocktails to be had. It all sounds very tasty indeed!
The music line-up looks really interesting. Plenty of live music and DJ’s with highlights including Mercury Rev DJ Set, Gilles Peterson, and Dr. John Cooper Clarke to name a few. Check out the full line-up here.
English adventurer and television presenter Ben Fogle is set to steal the show and is sure to draw a crowd. He will join other outdoor experts and enthusiasts and provide a wealth of educational and fun entertainment for all.
I love that the festival encourages visitors to use public transportation and Hawarden train station is just a mile away from the site so easily accessible on foot. Chester station is just 2 hours from London then around 7 miles from the festival in a taxi or on the bus. The festival does have car parking but parking is extra and the closest motorway is M6. John Lennon Liverpool is the nearest airport where you can catch a cab, train or rent a car. According to Parking4Less, short stay parking is generally closer to the terminals, so best for anyone carrying camping gear. Campers and caravans are welcome and just £20 or you can splash out on a spot of glamping in one of their bell tents.
The Good Life Experience Festival sounds like the perfect place for families to come together, listen to great music, eat fabulous food, and learn some new skills. It’s a chance to totally relax with the whole family (including the dog who is more than welcome) and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
A place to “put down your phone and get back to basics” – Visit Wales
a field somewhere 
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