Following the success of the Happy Place podcast – preceded by two best-selling books, Broadcaster Fearne Cotton announced the first-ever Happy Place Festival in 2019.
Described as the ‘Woodstock of Wellness’ by Russell Brand, this wellness festival is designed to be a ‘fully immersive experience giving people the chance to go and escape anything that they are dealing with in real life and come away with some brilliant tools to help them. ‘
Spread over two weekends in summer, the festival first took place at Chiswick House and Gardens on 3rd and 4th August 2019, and again at National Trust’s Tatton Park on 7th and 8th September 2019. In 2023, this was split between 15th and 16th July and 2nd and 3rd September.
Seeking moments of calm, collaborating with Rituals reinforced the need to ‘slow down’ and ‘bring joy to daily rituals through thoughtful and conscious body and wellbeing products.’
How to Get Tickets
In 2019 the tickets went on sale on 12th April 2019 via See Tickets, the additional workshops and classes were available to book from 28th June 2019 and an adult day ticket cost £35. In 2023 this was around £38.50 with booking fees and additional workshops from £12 booked from the website via See Tickets.
Getting There
Since I attended Chiswick House, I can tell you with certainty that if you’re travelling by tube, head to Turnham Green Station and walk twenty minutes to the location. It’s a direct tube on the District Line from Victoria Coach Station to Turnham Green Station.
Refreshments
Had I been more prepared, I’d have packed a picnic but as luck would have it there were some worthwhile food and drink samples.
Arla Lactofree was giving away complimentary feel-good smoothies with a choice of three flavours and toppings. Rude Health were giving away complimentary turmeric lattes or muesli and don’t forget to grab a bag of their corn chips too!
Of course this was fine for a time, but if you’re partaking in the workouts then it won’t be long before you’ve worked up an appetite. The food options were a bit meh, a little pricey, and at some points of the day the queue could take up to two hours long!
The food options from memory (because I can’t find my notes) were Mac & Cheese (vegan options available), Vietnamese, and some further vegan options.
Bring a refillable water bottle as water points are available behind the toilets.
Talks, Workshops and Classes
Expect workshops, renowned experts, and yoga classes – there really is something for everyone at the Happy Place Festival. Included in the ticket price:
- The Talks Stage (No booking needed)
- Rituals Slow Down & Relax Tepee (booking essential)
- The Community Stage
Additional costs, booked in advance:
- Sweaty Betty Yoga and Stretch Tepee – £5 a class
- Notonthehighstreet Creative Workshops Tepee – £10 a workshop
- Meditation & Mindfulness Tepee – £10 a workshop
- Massage Tepee – £10 a treatment
Yoga and Stretch Tepee with Sweaty Betty
For £5 a class, you have the option to participate in a new form of yoga with Sweaty Betty. Unfortunately, we were too late in booking, but we did notice that every participant received a goodie bag! Booking is essential via See Tickets so you’ll have to be quick!
2019’s yoga classes across both events included:
- Get Up & Glow Yoga
- Hip Hop Yoga
- Soulful Yoga
- Facial Fitness
- Brazilian Yoga
- Rocket Yoga
- Restorative Yoga
- Matt Barre
- Reggae Yoga
- Animal Movement
- Power Yoga
- Mandala Yoga
- Acro Yoga
Meditation and Wellness Tepee
The following classes were charged at £10 per class, booked in advance through see tickets. The events started around 10:15am, with the last class around 5pm.
- Unveiling the Light within the Heart
- Astrology Basics
- Create a Home full of Happiness
- Sound Out: Writing for Wellbeing
- Candlelight Gong Sound Meditation
- Happiness is an Inside Job
- Mini Meditation Masterclass
Slow Down & Relax Tepee with Rituals
The following classes were free of charge but booking was essential:
- Slow Down Session – implement small changes that make big impacts to the pace of your life
- Improve your Mood – How scent guides our emotions
- Great Sleep Workshop – Everyday rituals to improve your night
- Switching Off – How to unwind on holiday
Massage Teepee
The following treatments were charged at £10 per class, booked in advance through see tickets, there was some availability on the day to book there and then but this also sold out very quickly.
- Reflexology
- Back Massage
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Hydrotherm Massage
Creative Workshops Tepee with notonthehighstreet
The following workshops were an example of the classes available across both events, charged at £10 per workshop and booked in advance through see tickets.
In addition to the workshops, notonthehighstreet had a small store with a selection of wellbeing products to purchase such as positive planners and the like.
- Macrame Plant Hanger Workshop
- Become An Origami Master
- Plant Pot Marbling
- Make Your Own Foraged Flower Wreath
- Free Flow Fun Craft Workshop
- Embroider Your Own Motivational Wall Hanging
- Slogan Heart Keyrings
- Macrame Wall Hanging Workshop
- Soulful Hoop Embroidery Workshop
- Make Your Own Foraged Flower Wreath
Talk Stage in Collaboration with Rituals
The place where I spent the majority of my time was the Talk Stage. Fearne herself participated in a selected number of live podcasts, but otherwise the talks from inspiring individuals was enough.
The incredible line-up for the whole event across the two weekends included;
- Alice Liveing
- Amanda Byram
- Annie Price
- Bella Mackie
- Billy Monger
- Bryony Gordon
- Catherine Gray
- Chloe Brotheridge
- Dame Kelly Holmes
- Hannah Beckerman
- Hannah Beecham
- Holly Tucker
- Jasmine Hemsley
- Joe Wicks
- Jonny Benjamin
- Katie Piper
- Kris Hallenga
- Lauren Mahon
- Lizzie Carr
- Megan Jayne Crabbe
- Niki Schilling
- Owen O’Kane
- Poorna Bell
- Reggie Yates
- Rhiannon Lambert
- Russell Brand
- Rylan Clark-Neal
- Sophie Robinson
- Sophie Walker
The Community Stage
The following classes run throughout the day and are free to participate in – no pre-booking is necessary. Bring your own mat and find a space!
- Elevate With Lawrence Price
- Loren Jenkins: Yoga Fun
- Barre With Define London
- Alice Liveing
- Wanda Canton: Sound Out – Body Language
- Brazilian Method with Method Movement
- Danielle Peazer: DPM Style
- Zephyr Wildman: Find Happiness Through Movement
- Jade Coles: Yoga’na Beam In Fifteen!
- Hip Hop Yoga With One Ldn
- Remix With Steph Elswood
- Hi-Lo With Steph Elswood
- Dame Kelly Holmes Supported By Red January And Mind
- Workout & Win With Joe Wicks – The Bodycoach
- Dame Kelly Holmes: Think Like A Soldier, Perform Like A Champion
- Richie Norton
- Elevate With Gabby Allen
- Dancesing: Strength & Stretch Pilates
- Sweaty Betty Reggae Yoga
- Power Yoga with Yoga Life
And if that wasn’t enough to keep you occupied, you can pick up a copy of the book from someone you enjoyed and even get it signed in the Waterstones Book Signing Area, grab some Sweaty Betty active wear, pick up some festival merchandise or just peruse the shopping tent for some wellbeing brands.
The Verdict?
Would I go again? While there were a few pretentious sorts spending an ungodly amount of money on activewear, and the food options were a bit naff, I do think I’d attend the festival again – fully dependent on the line-up.
I personally felt that £35 was a fantastic price for the line-up of bloggers and celebrities that we had the opportunity to hear from, the complimentary classes were a bonus – where else can you work out with Dame Kelly Holmes? – And the food and drink samples were a bonus. But I’d definitely consider bringing my own picnic next time.
Top Tips
- Book additional activities in advance of the event
- Plan your day to fit in everything you want to see and do
- Wear activewear if you plan to take part in the classes
- Pack a picnic and blanket
- Bring a water bottle
- Bring a yoga mat