The Good Life Society – Hawarden, Wales 2026
Overview
The Good Life Society – Summer Camp 2026 is an intimate, luxury micro-festival of workshops, feasts, wellness, and freedom, set in the idyllic Hawarden Estate in North East Wales, co-curated by Welsh music icon Cerys Matthews and the Gladstone family. Limited to just 125 guests per weekend, this annual escape celebrates slow living and nature’s joys through expert-led sessions on outdoor crafts, wild pursuits, and cultural immersions, all within the historic walled garden, private lake, and parklands of Hawarden Castle.
Running as a series of long weekends, the 2026 edition emphasizes reconnection with the outdoors via fire-cooked dinners, yoga flows, and inspiring talks, fostering joy and inspiration in a non-commercial haven. It’s a UK gem for those seeking meaningful escapes, blending relaxation with adventure in one of Britain’s most beautiful private estates—perfect for explorers craving joy without the crowds.
Event Highlights
- Main activities and performances: Expert-led workshops on nature and craft like screen-printing, foraging, and wild swimming; evening feasts cooked over open fires by award-winning chefs; wellness sessions including yoga, breathwork, and pop-up spa treatments; acoustic music and storytelling under the stars.
- Special traditions and features: Annual curation since 2014 by Cerys Matthews, focusing on “good living” with limited capacity for intimacy; themes of sustainability and joy with eco-practices like zero-waste feasts; community-building through shared experiences in the Gladstone family estate.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Unlimited access to wood-fired saunas, hot tubs, and private lake activities; pop-up markets for crafts and local produce; ties into Hawarden’s literary legacy with guided castle tours and conversations with cultural figures.
Why Attend
The Good Life Society – Summer Camp 2026 invites you to Hawarden’s enchanted embrace, where a dawn wild swim dissolves into an afternoon of fire-forged feasts and whispered wisdoms, crafting a tapestry of joy that feels as eternal as the estate’s ancient oaks. The micro-scale ensures profound connections—from a Cerys Matthews-inspired melody to a foraging find shared over ciders—making it a soulful antidote to rushed lives, alive with the thrill of rediscovering wonder in Wales’ whispering woods.
Enjoy Your Event Stress-Free with Euro Travelo
Planning a trip to attend a festival, concert, or business event in Europe can be overwhelming—tickets, travel, accommodation, and local logistics all take time and effort. Euro Travelo makes it simple by providing everything you need through one trusted company. You save time, avoid stress, and enjoy a seamless experience from start to finish.
Why Choose Euro Travelo:
- Secure and easy ticket booking for concerts, festivals, theaters, and business events.
- Complete travel planning including flights, trains, and local transportation.
- Accommodation arrangements near event venues, tailored to your needs.
- Convenient local transfers, from airport pickups to private shuttles.
- On-site concierge support to help you navigate venues and schedules.
- Custom itineraries and experience packages combining multiple events, tours, and activities.
- Secure payment process, making it safe and convenient to book all services online.
- Flexibility: even if you need only one service, we can assist individually.
For families and newcomers, the all-inclusive, kid-pet-friendly vibe shines with gentle workshops sparking curiosity, turning potential solitude into shared serenity amid Flintshire’s blooming gardens. Amid Hawarden’s storied stones, you’ll emerge renewed, with skills for simple joys, bonds that bloom like wildflowers, and a deeper kinship with nature—proving why this boutique beacon endures as the UK’s most inspiring whisper of “good living.”
Date & Duration
Dates: July 17 – July 20, 2026
Duration: 4 days
Venue / Location
The festival centers in the Victorian Walled Garden of Hawarden Estate, with activities spilling into the private lake, parklands, and castle grounds, offering a bucolic escape 15 minutes from Chester in North East Wales. The intimate setting blends historic charm with modern luxuries like hot showers and saunas. Google Maps address: Hawarden Estate, Hawarden, Deeside CH5 3PB, United Kingdom
Ticket Information
- Tickets are sold online via thegoodlifesociety.co.uk with early bird priority for past guests and newsletter subscribers; strictly limited to 125 per weekend.
- Admission is paid only; no free entry.
- Ticket pricing in USD: Weekend tickets from $344 USD (£269 GBP), including dinners and full access; payment plans available.
- Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; all tickets include luxury facilities; child and pet-friendly options.
- Minimum ticket pricing: $344 USD for a weekend ticket.
- Maximum ticket pricing: $344 USD for a weekend ticket.
Booking with Euro Travelo
Planning to enjoy this music festival without the stress? Euro Travelo can help you book tickets, organize travel, and handle your entire trip from start to finish. Whether it’s a vibrant music festival, live concert, or cultural celebration, our team ensures a seamless experience for music lovers across Europe.
Contact Euro Travelo today to secure your festival tickets and travel arrangements.
Contact Information
- Email: info@thegoodlifesociety.co.uk (general inquiries and bookings).
- Phone: Not specified; WhatsApp 07818 246118 for questions.
- Website: https://thegoodlifesociety.co.uk (See Official Site).
- Social Media: Not specified; check site for links.
- Key Staff: Cerys Matthews (co-curator); Gladstone family team.
- Press/Volunteers: Email info@thegoodlifesociety.co.uk for press or volunteer roles (limited, extra for helpers).
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English support available; privacy policy on site.
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) 30 minutes east by car; Manchester Airport (MAN) 1 hour northeast via M56.
- Public transport: Trains to Chester (then Bus 1 or 4 to Hawarden, ~15 minutes, $5 USD); local taxis from Flint station (~10 minutes).
- Driving: From M6/M56 to A55/A5104 (20 minutes from Chester); from M4 via A48 to A5119; ample on-site parking included.
- Other options: Bike rentals for estate trails; walking from Hawarden village (~1 mile); taxis ~$15 USD from Chester.
- Accessibility: Estate paths mostly level with ramps; accessible parking and facilities; contact for shuttles.
Accommodation Options
- On-site camping: No camping; luxury stays in Hawarden Castle’s West End (sleeps 4-10, child/pet-friendly, $500-1,000 USD/night including hot tub/sauna).
- Glamping: Included in tickets; bell tents and pods in parklands with bedding (extra $200-300 USD).
- Nearby hotels: Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa (10 minutes drive, $150-250 USD/night); St David’s Park Golf & Country Club $130-220 USD.
- B&Bs and self-catering: Cozy options like Hawarden B&B, $100-160 USD/night; cottages via Airbnb $110-180 USD.
- Other: Castle self-catering for groups; book via thegoodlifesociety.co.uk for festival proximity.
Reviews
Cerys Matthews’ curation shone through every workshop—from wild swims to fire feasts; Hawarden’s estate felt like a private paradise of joy and inspiration.
Intimate scale meant real connections; yoga at dawn, talks by dusk—left refreshed, with skills for “good living” that linger like the estate’s timeless charm.
The walled garden’s magic amplified the feasts and folk tunes; family-friendly with pet perks—UK’s coziest micro-fest for soulful escapes.
Attention!
We offer complete packages including Event Tickets, Accommodation, Transportation & more — so you don’t have to worry about anything.
Contact Us →Before you go, check these helpful travel products:
Maps
Contact
FAQ's
What types of activities and music can I expect at The Good Life Society Summer Camp?
Summer Camp offers a curated blend of nature and craft workshops like screen-printing, foraging, and wild swimming, evening fire-cooked dinners by award-winning chefs, wellness sessions including yoga and breathwork, and acoustic music/storytelling under the stars. Expect 20+ expert-led experiences per weekend, including pop-up spa treatments and talks on sustainable living, all in the walled garden and lake. Past highlights featured Cerys Matthews-inspired melodies; 2026 expands on "joyful reconnection"—full schedule at thegoodlifesociety.co.uk by spring.
Is the festival suitable for families, couples, and solo travelers?
Absolutely, its intimate 125-guest capacity and child/pet-friendly castle stays make it ideal for families, couples, and solos. Kid zones spark curiosity with crafts and swims, while couples enjoy romantic hot tub saunas and feasts. Solos thrive in the communal vibe of shared dinners and talks. All-inclusive tickets ease planning—email info@thegoodlifesociety.co.uk for family schedules. It's designed for meaningful bonds without crowds, perfect for UK escapes.
What accessibility features does the estate provide?
Hawarden Estate features level paths in the walled garden, ramps at marquees, accessible toilets, and viewing areas; companion tickets free with proof. Parking is inclusive, with shuttles for mobility aids (request via info@thegoodlifesociety.co.uk). Quiet zones and seated workshop options available. As a private estate, it's wheelchair-friendly for most activities—contact for tailored support like priority lake access.
What food and drink options are available?
Tickets include daily fire-cooked dinners by guest chefs and Hawarden Estate team, featuring seasonal Welsh-leaning dishes ($included). Breakfast/lunch extra at the farm shop or Glynne Arms ($10-20 USD). Bars serve local ciders, wines, and non-alcoholic options ($8 USD+). BYO for castle stays; pop-up markets offer crafts and cheeses. Over 10 vendors ensure variety, tying into the estate's sustainable farm ethos—eco-friendly and flavorful.
How do I get to Hawarden and navigate during the festival?
Fly into Liverpool (LPL, 30 minutes east) or Manchester (MAN, 1 hour northeast via M56), then taxi $15 USD or Bus 1/4 (~15 minutes, $5 USD). Trains to Chester then Bus 1/4 to Hawarden (~20 minutes, $5 USD). Driving via M6/M56 to A55/A5104 (20 minutes from Chester); on-site parking included. The compact estate layout means 5-10 minute walks between garden, lake, and castle; maps at entry. Taxis ~$15 USD from Chester; spring weather? Layers for Welsh chills.
