The Big Retreat Festival returns to Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire after a two-year hiatus. Voted as one of the UK’s ‘Top 5 Adventure and Wellbeing festivals’ by The Guardian, The Big Retreat will take place at the Festival site in the stunning Lawrenny Castle Estate in the UK’s only coastal National Park, Friday 3 – Monday 6 June 2022.

Late-nineties noughties, Indie rock Britpop bands Reef and Toploader are set to headline the Festival, which is returning with more performances and activities than ever before. Also appearing are nineties fitness legend Mr Motivator, former model and Total Wipeout presenter Amanda Byram, and ‘Vikings’ actor and wellness practitioner Maude Hirst.

The Festival will have seven sites to explore, full of adventure, discoveries, inspiration, and relaxation. The Castle Terrace, on the former grounds of Lawrenny Castle will be the bustling hub of the Festival. With live-music from Reef, Toploader and more on the main stage, plus boutique stalls, fresh Welsh produce, and gin workshops and cookery demos in the Chefs Kitchen.

The Talk Tent and Roaring Fire Pit will host a series of inspiring speakers and adventurous storytellers across the weekend. The Big Retreat Talk Tent is a collaboration with the global Shelf Help community, the world’s first self-help book club dedicated to celebrating, inspiring and supporting personal development. The Big Retreat Shelf Help Talk Tent brings you experts and leaders in their field to share inspiring stories and to offer you the tools to be able to help yourself. Speakers include popular Welsh broadcaster Matt Johnson; activist and entrepreneur Meg Matthews; writer, illustrator and print maker Nick Hayes; master energy healer, teacher and speaker Sushma Sagar; Good Morning Britain and Countryfile television presenter Sean Fletcher; and founder of the Shelf Help book club Toni Jones.

Then in the evenings huddle around the fire and listen to tales that inspire from some of the UK’s leading adventurers – all while learning how to cook a gourmet meal at the fire-side for your own micro adventures.  Learn skills and knowledge throughout the weekend from swimmers, runners, rowers, climbers and mountain bikers such as English explorer and adventurer Laura Bingham; British adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys; extreme adventurer and Guinness World Record Holder Jordan Wylie; former Blue Peter presenter Ayo Akinwolere; British endurance athlete Anna McNuff; and big wave surfer Al Mennie.

Sweat it out in the Energy Field with circuit training, pilates, nutritional workshops, assault courses, dance classes and more. Discover the latest fitness workouts to take the world by storm alongside traditional feel good exercises. Find out about nutrition and how it can help you top up your feel good batteries, and get pumped with core conditioning and mindset talks.

After letting it all out in the Energy Field, Big Retreaters can restore and replenish in the sanctuary of the Soul Space. With holistic therapies, immersive gong baths, essential oils, wild swimming, wood fired hot tubs, ayurvedic yoga, hypnotherapy, massage, calm soulful spaces and an opening night cacao ceremony.

The whole family will enjoy Darwin’s Den. Discover mind boggling science and hear about the latest environmental issues as experts discuss what can be done to tackle climate change as part of the Big Retreat Festivals goal to be a carbon neutral festival. Be inspired by natural & earth energy talks and get green with gardening sessions. With a specially curated exploration area for children to explore and learn