Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival a huge success

7,500 people a day have visited Powderham Castle to experience Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival over the past four days. Offering an adventurous alternative to a weekend away, the festival has proven to be a huge success.

The festival, co-founded by adventurer Bear Grylls, came back with a bang for it’s second year. There were happy faces and glow sticks all round as crowds danced to Reef, The Darkness, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Script, Ella Eyre and Ministry Of Sound Orchestra on the main stage late into the night.

Bear Grylls met many mini adventurers as he walked the site, visiting some of the charities involved including the Royal Marines Charity, REORG, Rock 2 Recovery and RV One. He also surprised one group of families as they completed their survival training with Bear Grylls Survival Academy only to find Bear waiting to congratulate them at the end of the trail!

The Red Devils put on a spectacular display, falling from the sky in formation and showing tremendous skill landing with parachutes, smoke trails and a huge union jack flag.

Many well known explorers and adventurers gave inspiring talks, including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Ed Stafford, Laura Bingham, Pip Stewart and Amanda Owen.

There was always something to see and do, with a wide variety of outdoor activities running all day as well as Guerilla Science workshops, circus skills, SUP yoga on the Powderham lake and even a group fitness class led by Mr. Motivator!

The festival has attracted thousands of positive comments on social media, with families sharing their experiences of trying new things such as abseiling, kayaking and axe throwing.

Local Mum and influencer Stephanie Darkes @exploringexeter said:

“Axe throwing, canoeing, raft building, workshops yoga, silent disco, the Red Devils, playing with marine’s weapons, rides, cider, graffiti wall, DJ and MC workshops, weird science, dancing, chilling with friends - You don’t get bored at Gone Wild Festival!”

Festival goer Kirsty Elliott said: “Epic weekend at Gone Wild Festival, had such a great weekend of activities and music! Definitely booking up again for next year.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Ed Stafford were just two of the highlights, amazing inspiring stories!”

During the closing night festival director Oli Mason took to the stage to announce that tickets for Gone Wild Festival 2023 are now on sale, and that some had been sold even before the 2022 event had finished!

Tickets for Gone Wild Festival 2023 are on sale now at https://tinyurl.com/2tbcx8j6