Few festivals strike the balance between exceptional food, big-name musicians and feelgood wellness quite like Rock Oyster Festival in Cornwall
It’s the sort of weekend where mornings begin with sea air, yoga and speciality coffee, afternoons revolve around chef demos and grazing on local produce, and evenings end dancing beneath the stars. With that in mind, here are some must-dos at this year’s festival.
Camp beside the Camel Estuary
Location, location, location. Rock Oyster has one of the most spectacular settings of any UK festival. Pitch up beside the Camel Estuary and wake to sweeping views across one of Cornwall’s most beautiful stretches of coastline before exploring the festival. Whether you’re bringing the family or escaping with friends, the backdrop makes it a memorable place to spend a summer weekend. Dial up the dreaminess further by upgrading to one of the glamping options.
Make time for a little wellbeing
There’s far more to Rock Oyster than food and music. If your ideal festival morning starts a little slower, the extensive wellbeing programme offers everything from restorative yoga and sound baths to massages, wood-fired saunas and invigorating ice baths. It’s a great opportunity to reset between the dancing, dining and late nights, leaving you refreshed and ready after a night of camping.
Watch culinary stars in action
One of Rock Oyster’s biggest draws is its stellar line-up of chefs. This year, festival-goers can watch demonstrations from culinary heavyweights including Marco Pierre White, Nathan Outlaw and Ping Coombes, picking up tips, techniques and plenty of inspo. Expect lively conversations, seasonal cooking and a celebration of the incredible produce that Cornwall is renowned for.
Feed your curiosity
Get stuck into fascinating conversations from the likes of Groove Armada’s Andy Cato, actor Phil Dunster, chef Jack Stein, former England rugby international Phil Vickery, and many more. Covering everything from food and farming to creativity, adventure and wellbeing, it’s an opportunity to hear fresh perspectives between festival frolicking.
Experience unforgettable live music
As the sun begins to dip over the estuary, the soundtrack comes alive. Rock Oyster has built a rep for bringing together an eclectic programme of live music, with the line-up spanning everything from crowd-pleasing headline acts and soulful singer-songwriters to DJs, folk musicians and late-night festival favourites. Headliners on this year’s bill are Groove Armada (DJ set), Scissor Sisters, and Kook & The Gang.
Let little festival-goers get in on the fun
With more than 50 activities designed especially for children, younger visitors can fill their days with everything from cookery workshops and creative crafts to outdoor adventures and interactive performances. It means parents can enjoy the festival knowing there’s just as much excitement waiting for little ones.
