The ground-breaking new festival, Wilderness, set within the 5,000 acres of Cornbury Park’s ancient forests, lakes and parkland, attracted a capacity audience of 10,000 people in its first year.
 
With a unique approach to its curation, there was a truly spellbinding mix of musicianship, theatre, talks, panel debates, late-night parties, outdoor pursuits and food experiences across all three days.
 
The show headlined with unique happenings across the weekend. Antony and the Johnsons’ collaboration with the Heritage Orchestra, promenade theatre shows
from The Old Vic Tunnels and The Factory, and an evening 200-person strong banquet from the likes of Thomas Hunt, Skye Gyngell and Moro’s Sam & Sam Clark all shaped a mouth-watering weekend.
 
Accentuating Cornbury’s distinctive landscape, Edwardian Steam Launch carried guests along the length of its Lake Superior to hear intimate acoustic performances and an ‘Experiment of Awkwardness’ from Laura Marling, whilst adjacent lakes boasted fly fishing tutorials, wood fired hot tubs, and a full lakeside spa. And for those who fancied an edifying few hours here were spectacular lectures from the likes of philosophers Julian Baggini and ex-World Bank vice president Ian Goldin.
 
The festival closed as it began with stunning performances from Mercury Rev performing their seminal album ‘Deserter Songs’ and a late-night tribute to the 2011 Artist-in-Residence Daniel Johnston from an ensemble cast including Fyfe Dangerfield and the Low Anthem.
 
It wrapped up a weekend of open-fires, lawn cricket, woodland treks, balmy weather and a full harvest moon where bright young things barn danced the night away with philosophers and free thinkers.
 
Festival Organisers say: “This festival’s been nearly seven years in the planning, but it’s been worth the wait!”
 
Early Birds for Wilderness 2012 will be on sale soon, visit www.wildernessfestival.com  for more
information.
 
ENDS