Category: What’s on

We’re thrilled to be bringing The Mount back in 2026! Bringing artists and audiences together in such a breathtaking natural space always makes for powerful, lasting memories.

Thanks to our special partnership with Senbla, we’re gearing up for another amazing year of world-class artists and incredible shows at our one-of-a-kind woodland amphitheatre, The Mount.

We are very excited to announce that our Mika show on 26^th June 2026 will be on sale on Friday 31st October.

O2 Presales: Wednesday 29^th October 2025: 10:00am
Ticketmaster Presale: Thursday 30^th October 2025: 10:00am
General Sale: Friday 31^st October 2025: 10:00am

Find out more & book tickets here

Throughout his carer, MIKA has crafted a world of gritty romance amidst the joy and playfulness of technicolored alternative pop. He’s a ren,aissance artist of impeccable intention whose name has rightfully found its way alongside legendary acts such as Elton John, Freddie Mercury and Prince. After garnering billions of streams of views and endearing a fervent fanbase, he continues to evolve yet again on his sixth studio album, Que ta tête fleurisse toujours (“May your head always blossom”), and much more on the horizon.

MIKA opened his pop career in 2007 with the defining single “Grace Kelly,” which went on to sell over
 3 million copies worldwide and was “the second British single ever to top the chart based on download sales alone.” It was #1 in the UK for five weeks and topped the charts in six other countries as well. His debut album, Life In Cartoon Motion, has amassed over 2.8 billion streams to date, selling over 8.3 million albums and racking up 12.8 million digital track sales. The album went straight to #1 in the UK and 11 other countries.                  

In 2009, his second album The Boy Who Knew Too Much continued the trend, making it into the top ten in over 10 countries worldwide and containing the hits “We Are Golden,” “Blame It On The Girls,” and “Rain.” MIKA’s 2011 French language single “Elle Me Dit” topped the French charts for eight weeks, clocking over 300,000 sales and becoming “the second best-selling single of the year” in the process. The video featured legendary French actress Fanny Ardant and generated over 75.5 million plays.

His third album The Origin of Love, was released to international acclaim in 2012 and includes the huge single “Celebrate” [feat. Pharrell Williams] and US smash “Popular Song,” which was later reworked as a duet with pop superstar Ariana Grande. The “Popular Song” duet video has posted up over 205 million views to date.

MIKA then conquered the hearts of TV audiences across Europe, appearing as a judge on the X Factor Italy and a coach on The Voice France, as well as launching his own television variety show in Italy, Stasera Casa Mika, which won the 2017 Rose d’Or Award for Entertainment.

2015 saw the release of Mika’s 4th studio album, No Place In Heaven, to critical acclaim. Created with long-time collaborator and Grammy nominated producer Gregg Wells and featured hit singles “Talk About You,” “Staring at the Sun,” and the iconic video for “Last Party” shot by Peter Lindbergh.

His 2019 record, My Name Is Michael Holbrook, was a turning point for MIKA, a healing process. “I had a sense of urgency to transform pain into something beautiful and more hopeful,” he says. After writing the album in home studios in Miami and Tuscany over the course of two years, MIKA went to Brussels to record with producers Marc Crew and Dan Priddy. Together, they crafted soundscapes spanning different decades of pop and tracked the entire album live using vintage synths, enlisting all-star players from around the world.

In 2019 and 2020, he took to the road once more, bringing the magic across the UK, US, Europe and beyond. He was part-way through his eastern leg when the Pandemic struck and the world changed. He still managed to keep busy during lockdown. Heartbroken by the devastating explosion in Beirut, Lebanon in MIKA decided to honor his Lebanese heritage by organizing an online charity concert in support of the people of Lebanon and the victims of the blast. This was no ordinary online concert. ‘I Love Beirut’ featured guest performances from around the world including Kylie Minogue in London, Rufus Wainwright in LA, Mashrou Leila in NYC, Laura Pausini in Rome and Dana Paola in Mexico City, as well as sending a small crew to Beirut itself to meet people on the ground. The result was a truly breathtaking film with moments of joy and sadness, hope, and resilience. Fans tuned in from a record- breaking 106 countries around the globe and the concert raised an impressive total of over €1m for Save The Children Lebanon and The Lebanese Red Cross.

After the strangest 18+ months in living memory, MIKA looks forward to being back on the stage in 2022. Through the attitude, energy and movement of MIKA’s studied pop performance he provokes this sense of magic. “It’s the sort of dangerous energy where anything is possible,” he says.

MIKA has also worked with world renowned composer and conductor Simon Leclerc to perform orchestral versions of his many hits, first with L’Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal in Quebec, followed by a special televised performance at the Teatro Sociale in Como, Italy and most recently with two sold out shows in October 2021 at the Philharmonie de Paris in France.

In May 2022, after a triumphant return to Coachella, MIKA had the honor of acting as an international host of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, live from Torino in Italy. The show was broadcast live globally, with audience figures reaching 161 million viewers, far larger than the legendary US Superbowl. He followed this up with a Summer of shows and festivals across Europe, as well as spending months in the studio working on his next releases…

In February 2023, MIKA released his first film score to the French-language movie “Zodi et Tehu: freres du desert,” for which he worked with over 160 musicians from around the world including a celebrated female artist from South Africa and classical Berber musicians from Morocco. He also reunited once again with acclaimed conducted and composer Simon Leclerc with whom MIKA collaborated on his symphonic concerts. The soundtrack marks a large foray into new musical territory whilst remaining unmistakably MIKA.

2023 also saw live dates across Europe and beyond, including Japan, South Korea, Morocco, and London, as well as the release of a brand new studio album and the completion of a second!

Now, MIKA ascends to another sonic stratosphere altogether on Que ta tête fleurisse toujours. Written entirely in French, his lyrics intently examine experiences and feelings. Shortly before his mother passed away, she sent him the title’s words, which instantly struck a chord. The album both acts as a tribute to his other and a rumination on the passage of time. Across this body of work, he faces his fears head-on, confronting topics such as love, sex, age, death, and everything in between. It hinges on the emotional fireworks of his colorful pop music combined with heartfelt and humanist poetry.

Working with a small French production team consisting of Renaud Rebillaud, Tristan Salvati, and Marso, MIKA spent two-and-a-half years carefully crafting the album. Among many highlights, “C’est la vie” doubles as musical liberation, overcoming tragedies and absorbing their lessons as means to gain strength. During “Sweetie Banana,” he delivers a surge of vibrant energy atop a danceable soundscape and voluptuous rhythms. Then, there’s “Jane Birkin.” It translates his mother’s elegance, freedom, and singularity into sound. Throughout Que ta tête fleurisse toujours, the music not only electrifies, but it also incites the importance of self-reflection.

MIKA has been nominated for and won awards from the Brits, the Grammys, the Ivor Novellos, Capital Radio, Q magazine, The NRJs, The World Music Awards, BT and Vodaphone, Virgin Media and MTV’s Europe, Asia, Australia and Japan, amongst others. He is also the recipient of the prestigious French award “Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres”. He has sold over 10 million albums globally and has Gold or Platinum awards in an impressive 32 countries worldwide.

With Que ta tête fleurisse toujours, he expands his vision like never before.

“We don’t need perfection. We need character, we need emotion. To feel free to express yourself,” he leaves off. “Express yourself, you won’t be judged here.”

Find out more & book tickets here

We’re thrilled to be bringing The Mount back in 2026! Bringing artists and audiences together in such a breathtaking natural space always makes for powerful, lasting memories.

Thanks to our special partnership with Senbla, we’re gearing up for another amazing year of world-class artists and incredible shows at our one-of-a-kind woodland amphitheatre, The Mount.

We are very excited to announce that Pixies tickets for 27^th June 2026 are on sale now.

Find out more & book tickets here

1986 Boston – a year, a city… spawning one of alternative music’s greatest pioneers. One of the most distinctive sounds and voices in music, influencers of multiple generations of musicians, four decades on (and counting…). A volatile mix of jagged guitars, outlandish lyrics, and sudden bursts of rhythm and melody. LOUD/quiet… Pixies.

Originated in Boston, embraced first by the UK, now adored worldwide.

To mark forty years of the band: founding members; Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering, with bassist Emma Richardson – mark four decades of the band by announcing Pixies 40 a new headline worldwide tour.

From their earliest club shows, the band exuded a combination of chaos and control that left audiences wide-eyed. No glamour, little stage banter; just a relentless surge of sound that resonated with those in attendance. For many fans, those early gigs were less concerts than revelations, a glimpse into a new way rock music could be performed.

1987’s mini-album Come On Pilgrim (which followed the release of Demos – more commonly known to fans as “The Purple Tapes” – also re-issued in October 2025), introduced the world to their fragmented, surreal songwriting. 1988’s Surfer Rosa made critics, and underground audiences realize that Pixies were doing something that hadn’t been heard before. Recorded with raw precision, these early albums captured the explosive dynamics that their concerts already embodied. Songs jumped between whispered calm and thunderous eruptions; the same jolts audiences were feeling in dimly lit venues across the Europe and back home in their native US.

Doolittle in 1989, moved the needle. That album, packed with pop hooks twisted into strange, menacing shapes, brought Pixies onto larger stages and into the consciousness of a wider public. Their shows grew more frenetic, audiences swelling and surging in rhythm with the music, a direct reflection of the tension and release encoded in their songs.

By the early 1990s, the Pixies were in their groove. Relentless touring across North America and Europe became an essential ticket for any fans who claimed to be lovers of alternative rock. A wall of sound that was never predictable, shifting between fragility and violence in a matter of seconds. A band who needed no such spectacle or theatrics, just an intensity of sudden release. The music was the show.

Fan favourites Bossanova and Trompe le Monde followed in 1990 and 1991 respectfully, before the dispending of the band in 1993.

Over a decade passed, but Pixies finally reformed in 2004, the response was electric. Tickets for their first shows sold out instantly, and the band quickly found themselves playing to an unprecedented crowd at Coachella festival. More touring and in rooms much larger than they ever did before.

The reunion reaffirmed the band’s reputation as a live act. If anything, their performances had grown sharper. Multiple generations of fans from different backgrounds found themselves together embracing Pixies’ genre defining sets. Those who were there in the beginning during the late 80’s and early 90’s, those who never had the chance to see the band first time around, those who were not even born during that time.

Since re-formation the band have been even more prolific, releasing more music since their reincarnation with album’s; Indie Cindy, Head Carrier, Beneath the Eyrie, Doggerel and The Night the Zombies Came begin released between 2014 and 2024. Recent years have seen the band routinely touring all four corners of the globe with their own sold-out headline shows and to festival audiences alike, while still being referenced as a major influence of contemporary alternative artists and bands.

Pixies… a band marking their 40^th year together, still relevant and still innovative – there are no signs of stopping.

Find out more & book tickets here

 

We are delighted to be hosting Wasing’s Christmas Carols & Craft Fair evening on Monday 8th December 2025 at Wasing Park.

 

 

 

From 4.30pm – Our beautiful Garden Room will be bursting with festive cheer, opening its doors to our local community. Join us for delicious festive food and drinks including mince pies and mulled wine and a craft fair curated by local crafters where we will also be offering Wasing produce, perfect for Christmas gift shopping!

 

 

 

From 5pm – Father Christmas will arrive in his spectacular Castle Barn grotto, welcoming children and awarding a special gift for all little ones on his Nice List.

 

 

 

From 6.15pm – We’ll be hosting live Christmas carols accompanied by Tadley Concert Brass.

 

 

Tickets are £3 each and all proceeds will go to The Mount Charity which actively supports a variety of local causes throughout the year.

 

To purchase tickets, please visit https://wasing.digitickets.co.uk/ 

For any queries, please email events@wasing.co.uk

 

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

BOOK TICKETS

Join us for Wasing’s annual Pick Your Own Pumpkins & Woodland Trail Event!

We are delighted to announce the return of our annual Pick Your Own Pumpkins & Woodland Trail event this Autumn, open on selected dates between 17th-31st October 2025.

This enchanting seasonal experience offers the perfect opportunity for families to embrace the beauty of Autumn, with a magical woodland trail, delicious seasonal treats, and stunning countryside views – so get your wellies ready!

Nestled in the heart of Berkshire, visitors are invited to explore the estate’s magical woodland trail, thoughtfully designed for little ones while also offering plenty of picture-perfect moments for special family memories. 

 

The leafy pathways lead to our rustic pumpkin patch, where a charming fairytale pumpkin carriage awaits. After enjoying the scenic trail with sweeping countryside views, guests can make their way to the pumpkin field, wheelbarrow in hand, to choose their very own Wasing pumpkin.

Once the pumpkin picking has come to a close, indulge in a variety of seasonal snacks, including crêpes, donuts and pizzas, all served under a cosy stretch tent – the perfect way to round off an autumnal day out before heading home to carve your pumpkins.

Don’t miss this charming autumn tradition—join us at Wasing Estate for a day full of family fun and seasonal delights immersed in nature.

Tickets are £6.50 for everyone aged 2+. Under 2s are free but still require a ticket. Free in-field parking. Tickets are for timed entry slots which can be selected upon booking. 

To find out more, click here or email us at events@wasing.co.uk

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @Wasing1759

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

We aim to be inclusive and for everyone to enjoy our venue and events as much as possible.

Venue

Solstice At Wasing takes place in The Woodland venue. There is undulating and uneven areas of grass, woodland & woodchip throughout the venue. The venue is as nature intended and there is therefore no hardstanding pathways or tracks.

Accessible Parking

There is an accessible car park situated as close as possible to the event space. To access this car park, you will need to purchase a “Solstice 2026 Car Parking Pass” here and to be in possession of one of the proof of eligibility documentation below.

How to book tickets

If you are an adult with accessible needs, please purchase the General Admission ticket option. If you are making a booking for a child under 12 with accessible needs, please book a free of charge child ticket. After booking a ticket, please complete our Accessibility Form. The form is designed to help us make Solstice as accessible as we possibly can to make your experience enjoyable. Completing this form does not guarantee we can fulfil your needs but we will do our best. Upon completing this form, please email events@wasing.co.uk with proof of your eligibility and/or your accessibility need in order for us to issue a free carer ticket. Upon receipt of the appropriate documentation, we will add 1 free carer ticket to your booking. Carer tickets are subject to availability & issued at our discretion. 

We accept the following proof of eligibility documentation:-

• PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
• DLA
• Letter from a medical professional, including a doctor’s note or a letter from an occupation therapist dated within the last 12 months
• Carer’s allowance
• A Nimbus Access Card with the +1 symbol. Visit the Access Card page for more information.
• Confirmation in writing from Social Services that the individual is included on their Deaf Register, or a letter or report from an aural specialist confirming that hearing loss has been recorded at 70 – 95 dBHL or worse
• War Pensions Mobility allowance
• Blind or partially sighted registration certificate (BD8 or CVI certificate)
• A personal letter from the GP, community nurse or social worker dated within the last 12 months
• Benefit award letters
• Copy of a blue badge (we would need to see both sides)

Once we have received & validated your documentation, we will issue 1 free carer ticket per booking. All requests for Solstice carer tickets must be sent to events@wasing.co.uk 

Contact Us

Should you have any queries, please email events@wasing.co.uk & we’ll be happy to help

To help you find your way around, here’s a map of The Woodland at Wasing:-

 

SCHEDULE

 

FIRE CEREMONY

6pm Gather in the Sacred Glade

6.15pm Fire Opening Ceremony

 

SUNRISE CEREMONY

3.30am Gather in the Sacred Glade

3.45am Torch Lighting & Procession to the Sunrise Hilltop

4.45am Sunrise Ceremony with Chris Park on the Sunrise Hilltop

6.30am Breakfast

7.30am Movement Medicine with Mira Khanya

 

MAKE A BOOKING

WILD SWIM & SAUNA

 – FULLY BOOKED – 

 

NATURE CONNECTION MEDITATIONS

 – FULLY BOOKED – 

 

TEA CEREMONY WITH KIKI SUN

Ceremony timings & booking details can be found in the Tea Ceremony with Kiki Sun section here

 

TATTOO TEMPLE

Booking details can be found in the Tattoo Temple section here

 

We’d love to see your photos

Follow & tag us @Wasing1759 

 

To find out more about other events at Wasing

Click here to sign up to our mailing list

 

Need assistance?

Please speak to a member of our team

or email events@wasing.co.uk & we’ll be happy to help

 

We are thrilled to announce our final line-up for Solstice Festival 2025!

Taking place on the same day everywhere on the planet, the Solstice connects everyone in a truly global moment. A time when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, the solstice is a moment to celebrate the life-giving power of the Sun, the warmth it provides, and the abundance it brings to the Earth.

As the Sun begins its journey back toward winter, the solstice represents a turning point, a reminder of the cyclical nature of life. As one, we embrace this time to connect deeply with the natural world, celebrate light, and reflect on the balance between growth and rest. The summer solstice is not just an astronomical event; it’s a spiritual experience that invites all who honour it to rejoice in the Sun’s life-giving energy and the interconnectedness of all things.

Join us in the woods for Solstice Festival to celebrate the energy of Summer, the cycle of nature and music from around the world.

BOOK NOW

ARTISTS

Anoushka Shankar

Boundary-pushing sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar blends traditional Indian classical, jazz, world and electronica into her work, producing a unique sound that transcends genres. Daughter of legendary sitar master Ravi Shankar, Anoushka‘s exposure to diverse cultures—from her upbringing in Delhi to her travel throughout the world—has placed her at the forefront as an activist, human rights ambassador, and highly sought-after musician. Over the course of a long and varied career, Anoushka has evolved into an artist able to call upon her fullest being, representing her multicultural identity and authentic, vulnerable self where every note played comes from the soul.

Salif Keita

Back in 2018, giant of African music Salif Keita announced his retirement. However now at the age of 75 the afro-pop champion dubbed ‘The Golden Voice of Africa’ is back. Having spent more than four decades at the forefront of his craft, whilst simultaneously fighting for the rights of albinos and devoting his whole life to defending the right to be different, he is a legend both musically and socially. Do not miss this rare opportunity to see one of the most adventurous, gloriously soulful singer-songwriters on the planet.

Âpe Chimba

Âpe Chimba is a multi-instrumental musician, singer, composer and music producer. His music resonates across borders and times blending the primal with the divine. He draws inspiration from old African music, Flamenco, Latin, Indigenous folk songs, world electronic music, Ape’s live music conjures both deep self-reflection and liberating dance ecstasy.

Omer Gonen-Haela

Omer Gonen-Haela is an Israeli multi instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and ceremony leader. His music is influenced by the diverse backgrounds of his musical studies and world travels. His songs are songs of prayer and depth, of love and connection, holding the vision of a human world based on respect, trust and connection to all that is alive.

Tritha

A golden voice, a global fusion artist & a music activist, Tritha studied & practiced Indian classical music for 30 years in the Agra & Patiala gharana and Bishnupur gharana from Pandit Santanu Bandyopadyay where she learnt Khayal. She has learnt 12th century Dhrupad style from Padmashri Gundecha brothers & Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar. She has been teaching and conducting workshops on Voice & music therapy over the last 10 years. Tritha’s debut studio album PaGLI released on Sony Music in 2014, where she showed her metamorphosis of an Indian classical voice to modern contemporary forms. Her next album “Raagas in Paris” was released in 2016 on Silk Road label where she explored Indian classical with psychedelic rock, with her Indo-french rock band Tritha Electric. Her next album, “Elements d’existence”, was based around sound healing and the 5 elements. Her last album “Pachamama – A Tribute to Mother Earth” was released on July 3rd 2021, which was International Plastic Bag Free World Day. She has released several EPs and singles with electronic artists in Europe & UK in the last few years.

The Blue Lions

The Blue Lions are a band of Sikh warriors belonging to the ancient lineage of the Warrior Akali Nihang Singhs. They perform Spiritual Indian Classical music called kirtan, reciting mantras in specific ragas that have a profound effect on the mind and body to further become One with the Soul.

The Akali Nihang Singhs live a life of service, a duty that is maintained within each moment for everything in existence. This unconditional service is a core principle in the Sikh faith and is referred to as Seva.

The ‘Ragas‘ they play from Indian Classical Music have a profound effect on our energy field. Ragas are charged with prana/chi and help regenerate and restore our energy and balance. This music therapy emits a deep vibration which nourishes the listener. This brings harmony between the mind, body and soul. The Blue Lions begin with instrumental music and then sing different Ragas and compositions before beginning the mantra chanting. They play ancient stringed instruments like the ‘Taus’ which is very rare and was designed by the Sixth Sikh Guru.

Mira Khanya

Mira Khanya crafts immersive, Movement Medicine-inspired dance journeys, weaving global sounds and carefully curated sets with deep intention and reverence for life. With a rich background in dance, theatre, and the healing arts, she intuitively guides these transformative experiences as gateways to connection. Inviting deep movement and freedom, her work fosters community, togetherness, and compassionate presence with ourselves, each other, and the wider web of life. Mira collaborates with festivals and events across the UK and internationally, bringing her unique offerings into spaces of healing, transformation and celebration.

The Museum of Consciousness: Sound As Ritual 

Featuring:-

Tritha: A Sound Yogini

This sound transmission will be heavily invested on Sacred geometry of sound from the ancient Indian Sound wisdom. A Sound Yogini, Tritha, at the MOC showcase in Wasing Solstice festival 2025 will demonstrate the shift of consciousness with the art of guided listening and using ancient vocal techniques and practical skills from the 12th and 16th century India. The direct transmission of organic sound from her extraordinary voice, focused breath, internal body consciousness, spine alignment and positive intention will enable everyone to experience the practical functionality of Naad Yoga – The Yoga of Sound and Raga therapy. This auditive experience will lead to cellular healing of every receiver and incredible elevation of the spirit consciousness without using substance – only Sound as the ingredient of pure energy and vibration.

Tritha is a Indian classical & contemporary vocalist, composer and Sound yogini based out of India and Europe. Trained in Indian classical music for over 30 years in khayal 16th and dhrupad 12th century techniques. Travelled, performed and represented India in over 23 countries, Tritha has been featured on BBC, Arte and Canal+ as a music activist. She has composed 18 albums to her credit made in the last decade. Her first album “PaGLi” released on Sony Music India. And her last albums “Pachamama” is a tribute to Mother Earth and Dharani – Tribute to Buddha. Magnum Photos from France featured Tritha as one of “100 Women Changing India”.

www.tritha.com

Augustine Leudar: Sol

Augustine Leudar has spent the past twenty years crafting interactive hallucinations—immersive 3D sound and visual installations that merge cutting-edge technologies with dreamlike ethereal experiences. Exhibited across the globe, his work transforms physical space into living, breathing environments that respond to the presence of the audience. A subconscious fascination with the occult runs like an underground current through his practice and many of these installations function as invocations as much as they do artworks.

For the solstice, this new work, Sol is an atmospheric quadraphonic composition, an immersive ode to the sun. Within this sonic environment, the ‘holomorph’ utilizes Max/MSP and sensor technologies, enabling the audience to sculpt sounds in 3D space with their hands creating an interactive audio landscape — aligning the senses with the turning wheel of the year and propelling them into its next radiant phase.

www.augustineleudar.com

Audyssey (Gavin Lawson): Audyssey AVE – The Portal to the Immortal

‘The Portal to the Immortal’ reimagines ancient solstice rituals through a 30-minute electronic music performance that merges production tools (Ableton Live 12, Serum, Pigments, Max for Live) with field recordings and ritualistic rhythms. By translating ancestral practices into a contemporary electronic framework, this composition is designed for live performance and creates a liminal space for consciousness exploration, aligning with both historical solstice ceremonies and modern principles of sonic entrainment.

Over the last 12 years I have been analysing data, trialing new methodologies in audio immersion, mindful living & soma sensory stimulation. My fascination is with the investigation of creativity in music, exploring the intrinsic and rudimentary forms of musical entrainment. Such entrainment not only facilitates but also nurtures the emergence of further creative expressions across a variety of temporal frameworks, anchored in an individual’s capacity to forge profound associations with their auditory and visual landscape. 

www.audysseyave.com

Weblinks: audysseyave.com

 

Robot Koch & Naina Eira: Svarasa Ritual  

Following their appearance at Breaking Convention—Europe’s largest conference on psychedelic research—Robot Koch and Naina Eira bring their transformative sonic ritual Svarasa to Wasing. Rooted in nondual tantric principles, contemplative science, and ancient Buddhist practice, Svarasa is a 20-minute immersive meditation and sound journey that invites participants into deep presence. Award-winning composer Robot Koch guides a spatial soundscape that blends electronic, ambient, and immersive audio elements to gently shift awareness and foster profound inner listening. Meditation teacher and psychedelic researcher Naina Eira leads the meditation with a grounded approach to timeless wisdom traditions, activating sound as ritual and the body as a field of awareness. Svarasa—from Sanskrit Svara (primordial sound) and Rasa (essence or nectar)—offers sound as a path back to our true nature. 

Robot Koch

Robot Koch is an award-winning composer, producer, and sonic innovator whose work exists at the intersection of sound, art, and immersive technology. With a deep curiosity about the connection between music, science, and consciousness, he creates cinematic soundscapes that transcend traditional genres, blending electronic, ambient, and modern classical elements into deeply evocative experiences. With a discography spanning multiple albums and over 100 million streams, Koch’s music has been featured in films, TV series, and immersive audiovisual experiences that captivate audiences worldwide. His live performances, known for their multi-sensory depth, have sold out venues across the globe. A recipient of multiple international awards, including “Best Immersive Experience” at the DTLA Film Festival, Koch has collaborated with renowned artists such as Grammy-nominated conductor Kristjan Järvi, as well as Max Richter, Christian Löffler, and Anoushka Shankar. Constantly exploring the transformative power of sound, Koch’s work pushes the boundaries of music as a tool for healing, connection, and expanded awareness—bridging art, technology, and human emotion in profound and unexpected ways.

Naina Eira

Naina is developing a comprehensive contemplative framework for psychedelics—bridging ancient Buddhist wisdom with modern scientific inquiry. A lineage-based Vajrayāna tantra meditation teacher and researcher at the University of Exeter, she specialises in nondual states, guiding others through meditative journeys, music, and transmission-based practices—rooted in both lived experience and scholarly depth. Among the first to systematically map unitive states across philosophy, phenomenology, and cross-cultural traditions, her work integrates Eastern and Western frameworks with empirical rigour. Naina’s research is helping shape a new field of contemplative-psychedelic science. She has presented her work at leading conferences and is collaborating with Harvard to advance cutting-edge research in meditation and consciousness.

www.robotsdontsleep.com

https://sites.exeter.ac.uk/psychedelics/naina-eira 

Soul Revolution

In a dysfunctional modern world that rarely allows our mental, physical, and emotional health to flourish, our vision is to create a festival where we provide access to tools designed to help improve all areas of their wellness. This includes our connection to nature, each other, the divine – and above all our innermost self, our Soul.

Soul Revolution’s vision is to co-create a more unified world and way of being at a time where feelings of division and separation are widespread. In a world full of escapism, we envision facing reality head on. There is a call for us to turn inward, to face our fears and our flaws so we can evolve together in a loving, gentle, and compassionate way. 

Wider Horizons

Wider Horizons will hold a singing circle ‘All Night til Dawn’ Sun celebration vigil around The Sacred Fire to sing in the dawn with singers including Ben Ben Ji, JJ Middleway, ALNA, Nalini Blossom,  Charlie Roscoe, Gurj (SEEK WITHIN), Nola, Tallulah Rendall, Hamiama, Rhiannon Ruthvenn, Guido, Seamus, Liv Airies, Chris Milner, Nola & more amazing musicians.

THE FIRESIDE SESSIONS

The Fireside Sessions, lead by Anoushka Shankar and Âpe Chimba spark the Solstice celebration’s shift from day into night & offer a magical and powerful experience around the fire and under the stars in Wasing’s Sacred Glade. Fire serves as a central and focal element, infusing our gatherings with prayer and ceremony and anchoring the energy we generate to offer back to the land.

THE SUNRISE CEREMONY

Guided by Chris Park, initiate of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, the Sunrise Ceremony connects us deeply to the flora, fauna & natural world around us. It begins with a procession from the Sacred Glade to a tree-lined hilltop and culminates in greeting the rising sun over the valley, bringing fresh light & shifting new energies.

MÉDICINS SANS FRONTIÈRES

We are proudly supporting Médicins Sans Frontières, an international humanitarian organisation providing medical care in more than 70 countries, who treat patients on medical needs alone & provide life-saving care in crisis zones. For each Solstice ticket sold, £2 will be paid to MÉDICINS SANS FRONTIÈRES|DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS (UK) (Charity Number: 1026588)

Further information can be found at www.wasing.co.uk/solstice

For all enquiries, please email events@wasing.co.uk

Follow us @Wasing1759

To book tickets click here

To help you find your way around, here’s a map of The Woodland at Wasing:-

 

SCHEDULE

 

Book Wild Swim & Sauna / Children’s Bushcraft / Children’s Nature Art Workshop / Sweat Lodge

 

WILD SWIM & SAUNA

Sun 25th May – Book a 1 hour session at 10am / 11.30am / 1pm / 6.30pm / 8pm

Mon 26th May – Book a 1 hour session at 8.30am / 10am

Book Here

 

CHILDREN’S BUSHCRAFT

Sun 25th May – Book a 3 hour session at 10am / 1.30pm

Mon 26th May  – Book a 2 hour session at 10am

Book Here

 

CHILDREN’S NATURE ART WORKSHOP

Mon 26th May – Book a 45min session at 12.30pm

Book Here

 

SWEAT LODGE

Sun 25th May – Build a Sweat Lodge Workshop 10am-1pm

Sun 25th May – Sweat Lodge 6-9pm

Book Here

 

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Please speak to a member of our team or email events@wasing.co.uk & we’ll be happy to help

 

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.
• Henry Mance – Chief features writer at the Financial Times, and author of the book How to Love Animals and Protect the Planet. He has written for the FT on changing diets and rewilding, among other topics.
• 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.
• Yuval Zommer – Award-winning illustrator and author of the ‘Big Book of…’ series, encouraging children to explore and care for our natural world
• Andy Hussey – Founder of Muddy Little Boots and author of There’s No Deer Around Here and Any Trout About
• 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“
• Caroline Bennett– Trustee of Open Seas charity, sustainability champion & founder of Moshi Moshi restaurant in London 
• Xanthe Steen – Journalist, charity worker, teacher and writer for The Times
• Lynne Page – Choreographer & Movement Director who’s career spans Film, TV, Music, Musicals, Commercials, Plays and Opera
• 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

 

We aim to be inclusive and for everyone to enjoy our venue and events as much as possible.

Venue

Well Read takes place in The Woodland venue at Wasing. There is undulating and uneven areas of grass, woodland & woodchip throughout the venue. The venue is as nature intended and there is therefore no hardstanding pathways or tracks.

Accessible Parking

There is an accessible car park situated as close as possible to the event space. To access this car park, you will need to purchase a “Car Parking Pass (Accessible)” here and to be in possession of one of the proof of eligibility documentation below.

Accessible Loos

Accessible loos are available at the venue. Red keys are not required.

How to book tickets

You can book accessible tickets here If you are an adult with accessible needs, please purchase the Accessible ticket option. If you are making a booking for a child with accessible needs, please book a child ticket. After booking a ticket, please complete our Accessibility Form here  The form is designed to help us make Well Read as accessible as we possibly can to make your experience enjoyable. Completing this form does not guarantee we can fulfil your needs but we will do our best. Upon completing this form, please email events@wasing.co.uk with proof of your eligibility and/or your accessibility need in order for us to issue a free carer ticket. Upon receipt of the appropriate documentation, we will add 1 free carer ticket to your booking. Carer tickets are subject to availability & issued at our discretion. 

We accept the following proof of eligibility documentation:-

• PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
• DLA
• Letter from a medical professional, including a doctor’s note or a letter from an occupation therapist dated within the last 12 months
• Carer’s allowance
• A Nimbus Access Card with the +1 symbol. Visit the Access Card page for more information.
• Confirmation in writing from Social Services that the individual is included on their Deaf Register, or a letter or report from an aural specialist confirming that hearing loss has been recorded at 70 – 95 dBHL or worse
• War Pensions Mobility allowance
• Blind or partially sighted registration certificate (BD8 or CVI certificate)
• A personal letter from the GP, community nurse or social worker dated within the last 12 months
• Benefit award letters
• Copy of a blue badge (we would need to see both sides)

Once we have received & validated your documentation, we will issue 1 free carer ticket per booking. All requests for Well Read carer tickets must be sent to events@wasing.co.uk 

Contact Us

Should you have any queries, please email events@wasing.co.uk & we’ll be happy to help

This June, an unparalleled musical experience awaits you in the Wasing Woodland as Anoushka Shankar headlines the Fireside Sessions at Solstice Festival. Famed for her transformative sitar playing, genre-defying collaborations, and profound connection to both ancient and contemporary sounds, Anoushka’s performance promises to be one of the festival’s most memorable moments.

A celebrated musician and composer, Anoushka Shankar brings a deep sense of spiritual grounding to her music. Her work weaves together the threads of her Indian classical heritage with elements of jazz, world music, and electronic genres, creating a sound that resonates with both the body and soul. For those who seek not only exceptional music but a sense of communion with the earth and each other, Anoushka’s performance at Solstice is a rare opportunity to experience the alchemy of sound and spirit.

A Life in Music: The Legacy of Anoushka Shankar

Anoushka Shankar’s journey is one of profound artistic achievement. As the daughter of the legendary sitar virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar, she was immersed in music from an early age, learning the intricacies of Indian classical music under his tutelage. But Anoushka’s path has always been about more than simply continuing her father’s legacy, she’s made her own indelible mark on the global music scene.

Her exceptional career includes thirteen solo albums, collaborations with musical giants such as Herbie Hancock, Sting, and Joshua Bell, and a series of ground breaking performances that have taken her from intimate jazz cafes to grand symphony halls. She is also an activist, using her platform to speak out on important social issues, with a passion for bringing communities together through the universal language of music.

Her accomplishments are numerous, with highlights such as being the first Indian woman to perform at the Grammy Awards, an Ivor Novello nomination for her A Suitable Boy soundtrack, and being named an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music. Most recently, in June 2024, Anoushka was awarded an Honorary Degree in Music from Oxford University, a recognition that underscores her enduring influence on both the music industry and cultural landscape.

 

THE FIRESIDE SESSIONS

The Fireside Sessions spark the Solstice celebration’s shift from day into night & offer a magical and powerful experience around the fire and under the stars in Wasing’s Sacred Glade. Fire serves as a central and focal element, infusing our gatherings with prayer and ceremony and anchoring the energy we generate to offer back to the land.

A Moment of Connection

In today’s fast-paced world, Solstice offers a rare opportunity to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. 

For those who attend Solstice seeking not just music, but a holistic and transformative experience, Anoushka’s fireside performance promises to be one of the highlights of the festival. It’s a chance to experience the beauty of live music in a setting that nurtures both the soul and the body – a place where the sounds of the sitar, the forest, and the sky come together in perfect harmony.

Join Anoushka Shankar this June at Solstice Festival and immerse yourself in a celebration of life, sound, and spirit. It’s a musical journey you won’t want to miss.

Click here to discover more.