Secret Garden Party

Being an avid festival go-er, I generally know what to expect when I go to them, but I was astounded by the attention to detail that was visible from the makers of Secret Garden Party.

After a 5 hour drive to actually get to the festival, situated in the green fields of Cambridgeshire, we arrived at a record short que taking no more then 20 minutes. Then it was bags checked and boom we were in, as easy as that. I knew, due to my previous organisation, that actually looking at the site map that, i knew we had to head to the south camping. The walk was definately worth it, as we set up camp within a five minute walk from four stages (including the main stage) and right next to the lake, which is an incredible acit to have at a festival, especially on the sunny weekend which was to come.

We definately spent the majority of our time swimming in the lake and taking trips on the rowing boats.... which were free!! Something that I couldn't get my head round, especially at a festival, which are normally the places where you can't buy a bottle of water for less then a fiver.

Along with the lake, the creators had tried hard to keep us gardeners busy, by having various slip n slides around the festival, and games areas which included sumo suits, mud wrestling, paint balling and pig racing... well the list goes on....

But I loved the more thought out ideas, that you don't see at other festivals. For example a postman turned up at my tent with a handmade letter and a description of me and my area on the front. As well as this, was a phone box which led us through a forest and into a secret stage in the woods.

There were loads of unusual staging including the 'Drop off' which had  the DJ at the bottom of a bowl and was surrounded by onlookers standing on bridges, the dance off stage, which had a DJ in a pyramid behind a boxing ring esque stage   ( that the festival boogiers definately made the most of). Plus there was the collasillyium stage which had a huge dance area, blocked in by layers of hay bail, which created a farmyard atmosphere and allowed people to dance who wanted a bit ore room for themselves. Next to the stage was a 'Powders' gay bar, fully equipped with washing machines and cleaning fluids to add some bubbly fun. The fact that there is a specific space for the gay community at a festival shows how 21st century and relaxed this festival is.

On the Saturday night they held a spectacle by setting the pirate ship stage in the middle of the lake alight in time with  the 20 minute ( at least) firework display, shown alongside the music from the headline act... Faithless.

 The festival is a great place for showcasing up and coming musicians and artists, with various sculptors placed around the festival to promote some deep thinking, satirise or simply to entertain.

So many people I saw walking around the festival had made a real effort with the fancy dress theme of superstition, which shows the sort of people who go there, as well as contributing to the great atmosphere.

Secret Garden Party is a great experience for seasoned and new festival goers. It has been the safest festival I've ever been to , with everyone there being uber friendly and pretty sensible too. So yes SGP ticked all the boxes and more for me, and it will take a real winner to beat it!!!


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