6,000 festival goers take part in a weekend of adventure at Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival with Bear Grylls
Over 6000 people enjoyed a weekend of live music, outdoor activities and adventure at the sold out Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival this weekend.
Aside from the glorious weather, highlights of the festival included Melanie C’s first live performance of her soon to be released new album, Bear Grylls and Nicola Adams leading a world record breaking outdoor workout, the Red Devils arriving by parachute and even an engagement. The event was the very first Gone Wild festival, and it supported the Royal Marines Charity with 10% of all proceeds going directly to support serving and former Royal Marines and their families.
Bear Grylls created the concept of the festival with Devon based former Royal Marine Oli Mason. The weekend was all about giving families the opportunity to get together in the great outdoors, try new things, get adventurous and create memories. Bear arrived at the festival and greeted the crowd from the main stage, following a dramatic display from the world famous Red Devils - the British Army’s Parachute Regiment Display Team.
Throughout the weekend Bear took part in festival activities, meeting many of the young guests and chatting about their favourite adventures, inspiring them to embrace new challenges. He also joined Nicola Adams to put Gone Wild goers through their paces and wake up for the day with a Be Military Fit workout.
At the event, Bear Grylls said: “To be able to host an adventure family festival in aid of the Royal Marines Charity is a true privilege.
It's been a goal of our teams - a lot of whom are veterans from the Marines - to host a festival rooted in adventure and family fun.
To see almost 6,000 festival go-ers here, with so many young people, out there having fun and doing adventurous stuff is incredibly inspiring.
When you look around at Gone Wild there is simply so much to do: from the kids assault course devised by the commandos, to our Bear Grylls Survival Academy, from wild swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, trying circus skills, kids flying over skate ramps to meeting some of the best known explorers - it is a real privilege to witness and a dream come true for me and the team.”
Other well known faces around the site included Dr. George McGavin, who gave a fascinating talk about his expedition to a largely unexplored area of Papua New Guinea, Big Phil Campion who led Military Airsoft and the Magic Marine wowing those at the Bear Island Bar with close up magic tricks.
There were over 80 activities for festival goers to take part in, and despite some initial teething issues with the booking system for a handful of the activities everyone was kept busy trying new things from coasteering to penny farthing riding, tree climbing to paddleboarding and axe throwing to T-shirt screen printing.
Some early risers joined Blue Peter presenter and world record holder Ayo Akinwolere for an excursion to wild swim in the sea at Dawlish Warren and greet the dawn in the saltwater. A great way to shake off a hangover from the night before!
While the days were full of adventure and activity, in the evenings the grounds of Powderham Castle partied with live music on the impressive main stage. Local bands warmed up the crowd throughout the afternoon, and at night headliners included Scouting For Girls, Razorlight, Melanie C, Kaiser Chiefs, Morcheeba and Ministry Of Sound Classical.
Mini music lovers weren’t left out, as Andy and the Odd Socks played an energetic set of live music, with Andy Day showing off his rock star credentials to a crowd of kids (and their parents!) all up on their feet and singing along. Dick and Dom got everyone dancing with their DJ battle, playing hit after hit for the biggest dance party in Devon.
The site was filled with happy faces throughout the weekend, perhaps none happier than Kerry Allen, whose partner Jon surprised her with a proposal on a stand up paddleboard on Powderham Lake!
Social media has been flooded with positive feedback on the festival from families who attended:
We got here early Thursday morning and managed to get my friends two boys booked into lots of activities which they have loved. The staff all over site have been soooo wonderful and friendly and have made the experience even better. We managed to cram a lot in over a few days! Thank you for a fantastic weekend! - Robyn Hibberd
AMAZING!!!! Loved every minute! My 8yr old sons favourite song is Ruby and he was singing at the top of his voice completely enjoying it!! Thanks for a great night!! - Lisa Mackenzie
Well Gone Wild it was a blast! Commando course Front row for the Kaiser Chiefs (who were great !) Inspired by the lovely Nicola Adams Lots of laughs Marvelling at Mel C’s abs Dancing to the Spice Girls Fun family time Sore throat from singing along Boys seeing a different side to parents (I hope they’re not scarred ) boys separated from devices for a whole weekend Showers (but there were lots of Wet Wipe washes!! So we are the smelliest but happiest car travelling home on the M4! - Pot_tasticpottery
Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival 2021 sold out before the event, so if you want to go in 2022 keep an eye out as tickets will go on sale this Autumn.
