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Well Read: A New Literary Festival - Words, Wisdom and Wellness

Mark your calendars for May 25th-26th, 2025, as Wasing Estate’s ancient woodlands will be transformed into a haven for writers, nature lovers, and wellness enthusiasts at the debut of Well Read. This exciting new literary festival promises a refreshing approach to literature, blending creative expression with the healing powers of nature in a stunning, immersive environment. Why not book your tickets here

A Festival Amidst the Trees

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Wasing Estate’s rhododendron-adorned woodlands, Well Read offers more than just talks and readings; it’s an experience that brings authors and attendees into a deeper connection with the natural world. The estate, known for its heritage and commitment to sustainability, is the perfect setting for exploring the intersection of ecology, wellness, and creativity.

Well Read is the place to discover, learn and share ideas with like minded people that are eager to explore how we can better live with the earth, not just on it.

A Celebration of Wellness and Mindful Living

Wasing Estate has long been a hub for events that celebrate mindful living, environmental consciousness, and creative exploration. From transformative gatherings like the Medicine Festival and Solstice to Equinox, to being home to The Mount, Wasing has built a reputation as a sanctuary for those passionate about a deeper connection to nature. Well Read builds on this legacy, adding a literary dimension that emphasises not only the written word but also a holistic approach to wellbeing.

The event offers something for everyone, combining inspiring talks with hands-on experiences such as woodland meditation, wild swimming, saunas and breathwork workshops. It’s a multi-disciplinary event designed to engage the mind, body, and spirit in a celebration of creativity and nature.

Speakers and Authors to Inspire You

The lineup of speakers and authors at Well Read is as diverse and inspiring as the festival itself. This gathering will feature some of the brightest minds and most influential voices in the realms of nature writing, ecology, and wellness, including:

  • Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall – Renowned food activist and author of River Cottage fame, whose work focuses on sustainability and food.
  • Clare Balding – Acclaimed broadcaster and author known for her insight into the human connection to animals and the natural world.
  • Melissa Hemsley – Former private chef turned best-selling author, real food activist and sustainability champion who is passionate about spreading the power of feel-good food. 
  • Lucinda Miller – Clinical lead of NatureDoc, specialist in child nutrition and author of The Good Stuff, I Can’t Believe It’s Baby Food and Brain Brilliance.
  • Satish Kumar – Peace-pilgrim, life-long activist and former monk, Satish Kumar has been inspiring global change for over 50 years. He is the author of Soil, Soul, Society.
  • Lucy Cooke – A zoologist and writer whose work celebrates wildlife and biodiversity.
  • Sarah Langford – A barrister turned writer, offering reflections on farming, rural life, and the law.
  • Jay Griffiths - Author of ‘Wild’. Her books are based on her learning and her travels. Her first book was Anarchipelago. her second novel was Pip Pip: A Sideways at Time. Her book Wilde received the inaugural Orion Book Award and was shortlisted for Orwell prize.
  • Lucy Jones – award-winning journalist and the author of four books including the bestselling Losing Eden: Why Our Minds Need the Wild (a Times and Telegraph Book of the Year) and most recently Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood
  • Poppy Okotcha - A trained horticulturist and regenerative grower, a regular contributor to the Royal Horticultural Society podcast and ecological expert on Channel 4’s The Great Garden Revolution
  • Jane Owen – Financial Times columnist and author. She was awarded a gold medal for her Chelsea Flower Show rainforest garden, created to raise awareness about sub-Saharan Indigenous people.
  • Alice Vincent – writer, broadcaster and multi-platform storyteller fascinated by the often-overlooked parts of life. Her books include the bestselling Why Women Grow: Stories of Soil.
  • Patrick Galbraith – Columnist for Country Life magazine and The Critic and renowned author, Boundless. His non-fiction debut, In Search of One Last Song, was called the most important book on the countryside in years.
  • Freya Bromley – A nature advocate focused on the healing power of wild swimming and the natural world.
  • Lulu Urquhart – A passionate re-wilder and ecological restorationist; Lulu had helped to create and support and take the lead from this natural world to harmonise the balance of humans and wildlife within it. She co-founded the Tree Conference (encompassing climate science and deep ecology to understand the true value of trees).
  • Marie Derome – A Psychoanalytic Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist. Marie was a journalist and worked for the BBC World Service as a Foreign Correspondent and also wrote for the French newspaper Liberation.
  • Alec Russell – the FT's foreign editor. Alec has written three books. The latest is After Mandela: the battle for the soul of South Africa.
  • Hannah MacInnes – A broadcaster, journalist and podcast host. She presents frequently on Times Radio and is host of How to Academy’s live programmes and podcast. Recent interviewees include Bill Clinton, Melinda Gates, Jane Goodall and Louis Theroux.
  • Nicola Chester - Award winning author, BBC columnist & environmental activist
  • Yuval Zommer - Award-winning illustrator and author of the ‘Big Book of…’ series, encouraging children to explore and care for our natural world
  • Andy Cato - Founder of food and farming business, Wildfarmed. and and a champion of regenerative farming practises for health and the restoration of nature
  • Tom Baxter - Founder of The Bristol Fungarium, producing the UK's first organic certified medicinal mushrooms
  • Eleanor Mills - A campaigner, founder, bestselling-author of "Much More to Come: Lessons on the Mayhem and Magnificence of Midlife" and award-winning journalist and editor
  • Tiffanie Darke - Author of "What to Wear and Why: Your Guilt-Free Guide to Sustainable Fashion"
  • Tom Middleton - A sound and sensory designer, pioneering audio therapeutics to aid sleep, relaxation, pain management, and cognitive performance
  • Kiki Gilmore - Folk singer
  • Rebecca Dennis – Author of Let it Go and And Breathe, Founder of Breathing Tree & an advocate for breathwork and mindful living
  • Joshua Dugdale – Custodian of the Wasing Estate and passionate advocate for better rural practices.

A Feast for the Senses

In addition to the inspiring lineup of talks and panels, Well Read will offer a range of hands-on experiences designed to deepen your connection with nature. Attendees can enjoy:

  • Wild Swim & Sauna – Refresh your body and spirit with a wild swim in the woods, followed by the soothing warmth of a sauna.
  • Breathwork – Reconnect with your inner self through powerful breathwork sessions.
  • Woodland Meditation – Take a quiet moment to reflect and meditate in the peaceful surroundings of Wasing Estate’s ancient trees.
  • Sweat Lodge – Participate in this ancient practice, designed to purify the mind and body.
  • Children’s Bushcraft – A fun and educational experience for young explorers to learn essential wilderness skills.
  • Camping – Stay close to nature with on-site camping, and immerse yourself fully in the festival experience.
  • Hungerford Bookshop Pop-up & Reading Nook – We are very excited to be partnering with Hungerford Bookshop to bring you a wonderful on-site book pop-up in the woodland yurt and secluded reading nook in a neighbouring glade, to pause, connect to the elements, and immerse yourself in a book.

Words, Wisdom and Wellness

At the heart of Well Read is a commitment to words, wisdom, and wellbeing. The festival is a space for thoughtful reflection and meaningful conversations about how we can live more consciously and sustainably. It’s not just about books, it’s about ideas that can help shape a better, more connected future.

With a strong focus on eco-conscious living, creative expression, and wellness practices, Well Read is set to become a landmark event for those seeking inspiration, connection, and growth. Whether you’re a writer, a nature enthusiast, or simply someone seeking to reconnect with the earth, this festival offers a unique opportunity to explore these themes in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable.

Join Us at Wasing Estate

So, whether you’re hoping to be inspired by authors and thinkers, learn new skills, or simply bask in the beauty of Wasing Estate’s woodlands, Well Read is an event not to be missed. Join us for a weekend that promises to leave you feeling nourished, inspired, and deeply connected to nature.

Save the date: May 25th-26th, 2025

Book your tickets here