Wilderness 2025: What the UK’s boujiest festival was actually like this year

Since Secret Garden Party fell to the wayside, there’s been a gap in the market for a boutique festival in the UK. Since its inception, Wilderness has been plugging that gap. Taking place at Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire, the four-day festival caters to a slightly more affluent crowd. Generally, there’s a relaxed and laidback atmosphere, making it perfect for families and people with young children. The boutique camping option — which includes yurts and camping sheds — takes up the largest percentage of space but there is a more general field for more general campers who are looking to enjoy the festival on a budget. So, whatever camp you’re in, here’s what to expect from Wilderness…

The music 

If you’ve ever reviewed the lineup for Wilderness, you’ll know it’s a bit of a mixed bag. While the festival has a few gems and hero bookings, they could perhaps do with honing their music programming. The real star attraction this year was the brilliant Basement Jaxx, who were booked for Sunday evening. They did, however, feel better placed for a Friday or Saturday slot. Their high-energy set was undeniably the highlight of the weekend, but just felt a little lost on a chilled Sunday evening crowd — the same can be said for Wet Leg. That said, there’s a good selection of stages, each with its own quirks and charm. The Riddle and House of Sublime were good hotspots for something a bit different if you find a gap in your schedule. The Valley, though, is perhaps the festival’s USP. As its name suggests, this stage is within a woodland valley and is the festival’s core after-dark area. It’s a cool set-up and the perfect environment for DJ sets from the likes of Confidence Man and Annie Mac — the sound quality and lighting make this the dream for dance music lovers.

The experiences 

The festival offers a range of experiences from yoga and dance lessons to talks and sporting events. This year, the highlight was I Used to Rave but Now I Roast, a private dining experience by Michelin chef Tom Sellers and Hackney rapper Professor Green, bringing together world-class food to a soundtrack of nostalgic jungle, rap and house. Taking place over two sittings on the Sunday afternoon, it served as a moment of comfort amongst the weekend. Other long table banquet experiences this year included Angela Hartnett and Prue Leith. Elsewhere, there’s also the Lakeside Spa which offers sauna and hot tubs if you fancy having more of a wholesome festival experience. The spa area also includes showers and glam bays so you can freshen up afterwards — definitely a must-do. 

The downsides 

Let’s face it, no festival is perfect. For Wilderness, you’d better prepare yourself for corporate overload. Branded bars and stages are prominent throughout and with them comes a hefty price tag. Cocktails in these spaces come in at around fifteen to twenty quid, so it’s perhaps not the festival for you if you’re wanting to party on a budget. Like many other UK festivals, you’re also not allowed to bring your own booze into the arena, which means going to the bars if you do want a drink. 

In retrospect

If you’re looking for a festival that’s a little bit laid-back, calm and friendly, then Wilderness is the one for you. Its many bars and experiences allow for a more varied weekend than the average UK festival, but just don’t expect to be blown away by the musical acts. Instead, try out some of the other entertainment on offer, which includes talks from prominent speakers, poetry, brass brands, naked pop quizzes (alas, no actual nudity involved), massage treatments and lots of other stuff — just make sure you’ve got a healthy daily budget to really enjoy the festival at its fullest.

Tickets for Wilderness 2026 are on sale now.