Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Clare Balding headline Well Read at Wasing, a wellbeing literary festival in West Berkshire woodland

Going beyond your traditional literary festival, acclaimed writers, nature lovers and wellness enthusiasts will gather in the spectacular woodland setting in the heart of the Wasing Estate next weekend (Sunday and Monday, May 25 and 26) for the first Well Read at Wasing - talks, readings and panel discussions alongside live music, immersive outdoor experiences and wellness activities.

The festival has a great line-up of authors, including headliners Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Clare Balding and Melissa Hemsley, who will share wisdom and practices around nature, the environment, health, nutrition, personal growth, parenthood, farming, travel, sustainability and more, truly offering something for everyone.

Additional activities include wild swimming in the estate’s tranquil lake, a transformative Sweat Lodge session with Geoff Greentree, Finding the Wild Inside writing workshop with Inkpen nature writer Nicola Chester, guided meditation and mindfulness sessions, Mud & Guts outdoor adventure activities for children, on site reading nooks and much more.

Clare Balding said: “It’s a place that truly takes your breath away, and I can’t think of a better backdrop to share my love of nature and animals. There’s something so special about being surrounded by the countryside, where the world feels a little slower, a little quieter. I’m really looking forward to celebrating the wonderful connections we have with the natural world in such a beautiful setting. It’s going to be a joy!

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, too, says he is really excited to be part of the inaugural Well Read at Wasing: “Wasing Estate is a beautiful spot, full of life and character – just the kind of place that inspires a deep appreciation for food, nature and the land.

“I’m looking forward to having some meaningful conversations about where our food comes from, how we can all do our bit to live more sustainably and, of course, celebrating the joys of the outdoors.

“It’s going to be a brilliant event in a truly special setting.”

Visit wasing.co.uk/wellread for tickets

Custodian of Wasing Di Dugdale says: “At Wasing Estate, we’ve always believed in the transformative power of nature and Well Read is a celebration of that belief. This festival is an opportunity to bring people together in a beautiful and inspiring setting, where literature, wellness, and the environment come together.

“I’m so proud to share this inaugural event with everyone and hope it becomes a special place for learning, reflection and connection for years to come. In addition to thought-provoking talks, attendees can participate in breathwork with Rebecca Dennis, wild swimming in the estate’s tranquil lake, take time in the healing Woodland Sauna and join guided meditation and mindfulness sessions for deep relaxation and clarity.

“There will also be live music from globally renowned artists, including multi-instrumentalist and integrative music therapist, Gui Alves, and multi-award winning sound and sensory designer Tom Middleton. Well Read is also very excited to hold a transformative Sweat Lodge with Geoff Greentree, which will allow visitors to experience the ancient ritual - sharing aspirations and aligning with nature and themselves.

“To further celebrate the writer within us all, award-winning Inkpen author and Well Read speaker, Nicola Chester, will be holding a Finding the Wild Inside Workshop, where she will explore the craft of nature and climate writing as a tool for self expression.

Well Read is also designed to be as fun and enriching for children as it is for adults, and Wasing are thrilled to partner with Mud & Guts, an outdoor adventure company, to offer a range of children’s activities. With their hybrid of bushcraft tutoring, natural world education and games, Mud & Guts aims to connect children with the great outdoors. Everything from den building to fire lighting to animal tracking, these activities will allow children to enjoy the thrill of adventure in a hands-on, educational, and immersive way.

Spaces for all of these events can be booked at www.wasing.co.uk/wellread

Finally, Wasing is partnering with the award-winning Hungerford Bookshop to provide a wonderful on-site reading nook and pop-up book store in the woodland yurt where ticket holders can discuss all things literary, meet authors and guest speakers for booking signings following their on-stage appearances and place book orders. Well Read is more than just a festival - it is an opportunity for personal transformation.

Whether you're seeking inspiration, relaxation or a stronger connection with nature, this inaugural event promises a rich, immersive experience that will leave you refreshed and inspired.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is a multi-award-winning writer and broadcaster known for his uncompromising commitment to seasonal, ethically produced food. He has earned a huge following through his River Cottage TV series and books, as well as campaigning documentary series such as Hugh’s Fish Fight, Hugh’s War on Waste, and War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita. His broadcasting has earned him a BAFTA and his award-winning books include the best-selling River Cottage Cook Book and River Cottage Veg Every Day. Hugh’s latest book How to Eat 30 Plants a Week was published in May 2024.

Award-winning broadcaster and writer Clare Balding, who was awarded a CBE for services to broadcasting and charity work in Elizabeth II's final birthday honours list. She is a lead presenter for the Olympics, Paralympics, Winter Olympics, Wimbledon, the Commonwealth Games and Crufts on the BBC and Channel 4. In 2023, she commentated on the King's Coronation for BBC TV and hosted the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. For more than twenty years, she has hiked across the countryside for the BBC Radio 4 series Ramblings. Clare is a best-selling author whose titles include My Animals and Other Family, which won the National Book Awards Autobiography of the Year.

Melissa Hemsley, a former private chef turned best-selling author, real food activist and sustainability champion who is passionate about sharing ways to cut back on ultra-processed foods and celebrate more real foods. Melissa has published six cookbooks over the last 15 years, including Eat Green, Eat Happy and The Sunday Times bestseller, Real Healthy - Unprocess Your Diet With Easy Everyday Recipes. Alongside further names like Jay Griffiths, Satish Kumar, Lucy Cooke, Eleanor Mills, Lucinda Miller and many more, topics will range from parenthood, body ecology, rewilding, gardening, regenerative farming, sustainability, travel and zoology, truly offering something for everyone.

Full Well Read Line-Up: Full Well Read Line-Up: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Melissa Hemsley, Clare Balding, Jay Griffiths, Satish Kumar, Lucinda Miller, Marie Derome, Alice Vincent, Hannah MacInnes, Sarah Langford, Lulu Urquhart, Jim Murray, Andy Cato, Jane Owen, Eleanor Mills, Tom Baxter, Nicola Chester, Gui Alves, Lucy Cooke, Henry Mance, Patrick Galbraith, Lucy Jones, Jackie Higgins, Poppy Okotcha, Freya Bromley, Yuval Zommer, Tiffanie Darke, Tom Middleton, Kiki Gilmore, Rebecca Dennis and Joshua Dugdale .

Tickets are available at www.wasing.co.uk/wellread Ticket Prices: Sunday only £55, Monday only £30, Full Ticket (Sun/Mon) £80.