24 Jul WoodFest returns to Hatfield Forest with with a bang!
With just six weeks to go until WoodFest, Hatfield Forest and Woodlife Trails are offering the truly immersive experience of wild camping in the heart of the ancient forest.
WoodFest is the highlight of Forest calendar and celebrates the traditions of woodcraft, food, drink and music. This year for the first time there is the opportunity to sleep under the stars and the ancient oak trees and learn tracking and bushcraft survival skills.
The experienced team from Woodlife Trails will show you how to set up a wildcamp with a small tent, hammock, tarp or bivvi and a sleeping bag and teach you the skills of carving and whittling, fire lighting, wildlife tracking and wild tree and plant identification.
Festival Director, Ian Pease says “We are really excited to be able to offer a bushcraft experience at WoodFest this year. Not only will you build your own campsite but you will learn to light a fire and cook your own food. For those wanting a more luxurious experience there are also pitches for tents, caravans and campervans.
“People travel from far and wide to come to the festival and it’s great to be able to celebrate the work we do with so many people. Many locals also take the opportunity to camp in the Forest for a really different experience. WoodFest has been growing year on year and really helps to support the important conservation work we do here. It’s wonderful that so many people of all ages turn up to support it.”
The Festival starts at 7pm on Friday 6 September and runs until 5pm on Sunday 8 and has over 80 live music acts on two stages. There will also be story-telling, craft stalls as well as locally-sourced food, cider and real ale and a gin bar.
WoodFest is also open to non-camping day visitors. This year sees the introduction of a day entry fee of £5 per car, plus parking which is free to National Trust members and £13 per car for non-members which includes parking. Caravan and campervan pitches cost £80 for the two nights and tents costs £75.
Ian Pease said “For years we have only charged the usual fee for car parking for day visitors but the increasing popularity has been putting pressure on the facilities and so the small charge allows us to provide better facilities for a better experience for everyone as well as help protect the precious landscape. The charge is per car rather by person so we are hoping this will encourage people to car share. It’s was a difficult decision but I still think this is excellent value for a full day of fun in the Forest”
Tickets for camping and the bushcraft experience are available from the Hatfield Forest website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatfieldforest or via the National Trust box office on 0344 2491895
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