Berkshire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Crowd-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759.jpg" alt="well read festival wasing" class="wp-image-76810" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Crowd-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Crowd-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Crowd-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Crowd-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Crowd-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Mark the date: <a href="https://www.wasing.co.uk/wellread" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Well Read Festival</a> officially takes place <strong>25 &#8211; 26 May</strong>. It&#8217;s the first time ever the gorgeous Wasing Estate in Aldermaston has run a literary festival of its kind and we&#8217;re pretty darn excited. None the least due to the literati line up of guest speakers on the roster, plus the oodles of transformative wellbeing activities, all taking place amid the stunning surrounds of its enchanting woodlands. Readers, writers, nature lovers, and wellness gurus, gather in. Here&#8217;s what you can expect at Berkshire&#8217;s hottest new literary festival. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-line-up">THE LINE UP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Artist-Melissa-Hemsley-Photo-Credit-Melissa-Hemsley.jpg" alt="literary festivals near me Melissa Hemsley" class="wp-image-76804" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Artist-Melissa-Hemsley-Photo-Credit-Melissa-Hemsley.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Artist-Melissa-Hemsley-Photo-Credit-Melissa-Hemsley-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Artist-Melissa-Hemsley-Photo-Credit-Melissa-Hemsley-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Artist-Melissa-Hemsley-Photo-Credit-Melissa-Hemsley-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Artist-Melissa-Hemsley-Photo-Credit-Melissa-Hemsley-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Melissa Hemsley</figcaption></figure>



<p>Prepare to be inspired. Whatever piques your interest, there&#8217;s guaranteed to be a talk to set the mental cogs on fire. The literary festival will feature some of the brightest minds and influential voices across a range of topics including nature writing, food, ecology, and wellness. Multi-award-winning writer, broadcaster, and food activist Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall kicks things off on the main stage with a Sunday Papers Review, moderated by Financial Times Foreign Editor Alec Russell. </p>



<p>Later in the day, legendary broadcaster Clare Balding CBE takes to the stage to share her thoughts on human connection to animals and the natural world. Don&#8217;t mind us already at our seats. Talks take place across both days (Sun and Mon) on either the Main Stage or the Lake Stage. In case you can&#8217;t resist, you can check out the full festival schedule <a href="https://www.wasing.co.uk/wellread" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="814" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/clare_balding_photo_credit_owen_james_vincent3_1_-814x1000.jpg" alt="clare balding" class="wp-image-76821" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/clare_balding_photo_credit_owen_james_vincent3_1_-814x1000.jpg 814w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/clare_balding_photo_credit_owen_james_vincent3_1_-651x800.jpg 651w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/clare_balding_photo_credit_owen_james_vincent3_1_-325x400.jpg 325w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/clare_balding_photo_credit_owen_james_vincent3_1_-768x944.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/clare_balding_photo_credit_owen_james_vincent3_1_.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clare Balding. Credit: Owen James Vincent</figcaption></figure>



<p>The list of names set to feature is longer than Adrian Brody&#8217;s Oscars speech, but to name a few, Lucinda Miller, Satish Kumar, Lucy Jones, and Poppy Okotcha will all be dropping by. An insightful talk by Melissa Hemsley is another event highlight. The former private chef turned best-selling author, real food activist and sustainability champion will be continuing to spread the power of feel-good food, drawing on her fabulous bestselling cookbooks that are certified kitchen stapes. </p>



<p>But it&#8217;s not just literary names on the lineup. Expect live music in the evening, plus a very intriguing Forest Family Dance in the afternoon which sees a DJ set of uplifting anthems from Tom Middleton &#8211; all in the name of reconnecting with nature through dance. At its core, this is a festival all about making space for thoughtful reflection and meaningful conversations. It’s not just about books, it’s about ideas that can help shape a better, more connected future. Amen to that.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wellbeing-workshops">WELLBEING WORKSHOPS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2254" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-at-Wasing-Lake-Around-Fire-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759.jpg" alt="wasing estate festival" class="wp-image-76806" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-at-Wasing-Lake-Around-Fire-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-at-Wasing-Lake-Around-Fire-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-532x800.jpg 532w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-at-Wasing-Lake-Around-Fire-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-665x1000.jpg 665w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-at-Wasing-Lake-Around-Fire-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-266x400.jpg 266w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-at-Wasing-Lake-Around-Fire-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-768x1154.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-at-Wasing-Lake-Around-Fire-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-at-Wasing-Lake-Around-Fire-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-1363x2048.jpg 1363w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Ohmmmm! Well Read is here to engage the mind, body, AND spirit as you cocoon yourself within nature&#8217;s transformative embrace. While day tickets for the festival start at just £30 (incredible bang for your buck by the way), a whole timetable of hands-on wellness workshops can be booked as add-ons to amp up your inner zen. </p>



<p>Make like Little Red Riding Hood and head into the Wasing woods. Woodland Meditation is free for all (although you&#8217;ll need to book your slot) and is based on the principles of Shinrin Yoku, aka Forest Bathing, where you will be guided through four miles of woodlands, immersing yourself in nature and engaging your senses. It&#8217;s your chance to take a breath, slow down, and be totally present in the moment. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Wild-Swim-Lake-2-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759.jpg" alt="well read festival wasing" class="wp-image-76819" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Wild-Swim-Lake-2-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Wild-Swim-Lake-2-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Wild-Swim-Lake-2-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Wild-Swim-Lake-2-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Wild-Swim-Lake-2-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Life on dry land too mundane? Make a splash at the natural swimming lake where you can partake in a spot of Wild Swimming before breaking for the woodfired Scandinavian sauna. There&#8217;s also a climate and nature writing workshop with award-winning author Nicola Chester, but the Sweat Lodge is one you won&#8217;t want to miss. Not as bleh as the name might suggest, The Sweat Lodge is an ancient ceremony of purification and community holding which helps release the old and create space to vision the new. There are options to help build the lodge or take part in the workshop itself, all in a totally safe, open-minded environment. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-venue">THE VENUE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-2-Photo-Credit-Samuel-George-@Wasing1759.jpg" alt="well read festival wasing" class="wp-image-76812" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-2-Photo-Credit-Samuel-George-@Wasing1759.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-2-Photo-Credit-Samuel-George-@Wasing1759-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-2-Photo-Credit-Samuel-George-@Wasing1759-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-2-Photo-Credit-Samuel-George-@Wasing1759-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-2-Photo-Credit-Samuel-George-@Wasing1759-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-2-Photo-Credit-Samuel-George-@Wasing1759-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-2-Photo-Credit-Samuel-George-@Wasing1759-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A setting that will quite literally take your breath away. But for a festival all about celebrating the healing powers of nature, there&#8217;s quite frankly no better place for it. Make for Wasing Estate’s rhododendron-adorned woodlands and relight the fire of your soul. You don&#8217;t need me banging on about it. The restorative effects of nature speak for themselves. With the trappings of modern life making us more disconnected than ever, not only does it help us recover from mental fatigue, but mindful time in nature has been shown to boost our immune system, improve sleep, increase energy levels, and reduce stress too. Preeeetty power stuff, huh?</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2254" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-6-@Wasing1759.jpg" alt="well read festival wasing" class="wp-image-76815" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-6-@Wasing1759.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-6-@Wasing1759-532x800.jpg 532w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-6-@Wasing1759-665x1000.jpg 665w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-6-@Wasing1759-266x400.jpg 266w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-6-@Wasing1759-768x1154.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-6-@Wasing1759-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-The-Woodland-6-@Wasing1759-1363x2048.jpg 1363w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Aside from the glories of the great outdoors, the secluded reading nook is quite literally what every bookworm&#8217;s dreams are made of. Grab a novel, take to the woodland yurt in a neighbouring glade and seize a moment for yourself. Pretty obvious where you&#8217;ll find me. The fantastic Hungerford Bookshop will also be popping up during the festival in case you&#8217;re looking for your next blockbuster book. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-for-kids">FOR KIDS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Childrens-Area-Activities-Photo-Credit-Mud-and-Guts.jpg" alt="wasing estate festival" class="wp-image-76805" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Childrens-Area-Activities-Photo-Credit-Mud-and-Guts.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Childrens-Area-Activities-Photo-Credit-Mud-and-Guts-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Childrens-Area-Activities-Photo-Credit-Mud-and-Guts-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Childrens-Area-Activities-Photo-Credit-Mud-and-Guts-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Well Read Festival is for the whole fam. No better setting to unleash them into the wilderness than Wasing&#8217;s woods. The fabulous Mud &amp; Guts will be dropping by to run bushcraft workshops across both days, suitable for 6-11 years olds looking to tap into their wild side. In groups of up to 16, they will learn essential survival skills including den building, fire lighting and animal tracking, as well as loads of games and challenges that nurture both body and mind. Muddy knees guaranteed. Sessions are priced at an additional £20 or £28 depending on your time slot.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-camping">CAMPING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Camping-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759.jpg" alt="well read festival wasing" class="wp-image-76809" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Camping-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Camping-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Camping-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Camping-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/Well-Read-At-Wasing-Venue-Camping-1-Photo-Credit-@Wasing1759-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy camping out under the stars? Course you do. The grounds are stuuuunning and accessible to those grabbing full event tickets to stay overnight. It&#8217;s a BYOT type sitch (bring your own tent), or if you have a campervan, perfect. You&#8217;re welcome to park up for the night too. Campsite facilities include toilets and access to drinking water. All that culture vulturing is thirsty work after all. Several hotels are of course in striking distance too.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.wasing.co.uk/wellread" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Well Read Festival</a> takes place 25 &#8211; 26 May with tickets starting at £30. Get yours <a href="https://wasing.digitickets.co.uk/category/61421" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</em></strong></p>


Wasing’s Well Read is the coolest literary festival in the cultural calendar

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