With a wealth of health and wellness experiences to sample and a line-up of expert speakers, Wellbeing by the Lakes 2021 proved to be a huge success, with some 3,000 people attending over five days.

Taking place at 26-acre sculpture park, Sculpture by the Lakes near Dorchester, this festival combined the tranquillity and beauty of its surroundings with a curated programme of expert talks and panels, guided meditations, fitness and movement classes, art workshops, sound baths and healing therapies.

Festival Director Nasreen El-Mariesh, said: “Following the success of the inaugural event in 2019 we knew that there was real enthusiasm for our unique offering at Wellbeing by the Lakes – and that has been even more in evidence this year.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with the positive response from attendees and contributors alike who recognise just how special and powerful this event is, not just for its incredible setting at the sculpture park but also the energy and spirit of community that is created across the five days.

“There was a great sense that everyone was grateful to be able to come together and share experiences in-person again – many of the sessions and classes were made all the more powerful for that fact.

“After a turbulent and challenging time for us all, people welcomed this opportunity to be in nature, to reconnect and relax and to explore ways to be more present. We know that there are many lives which have been transformed in some way because of this and we hope the ripples of positivity are felt across the county.”

Festival-goers could create their own bespoke experience and creative types could try their hands on the pottery wheel, at paper crafting, or making floral crowns. A range of healing therapies such as reflexology and massage were on offer at private bell tents around the park.

The Riverside Stage hosted an eclectic and inspiring mix of speakers including sought-after shaman to the A-list, Jo Bowlby, Kirsty Gallagher, author of the Sunday Times top ten bestseller Lunar Living: working with the magic of the moon cycles, Jillian Lavender, the meditation guru to whom city high flyers turn to keep calm, and founder of the Blue Tits cold water swim club Sian Richardson.

Nasreen said: “We were thrilled to have been able, together with our friends at Happiful Magazine and Yellow Kite publishing, to bring together such acclaimed and knowledgeable speakers. Their captivating talks, offering countless insights and useful tips, were among the highlights of the whole event.”

The festival which first launched in 2019 but was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, was extended over five days for 2021. It ran between 8-12 September with more practitioners and an even bigger marketplace. Plans are already underway for Wellbeing by the Lakes 2022.

Simon Gudgeon, owner and founder of Sculpture by the Lakes, said: “Wellbeing by the Lakes proved to be just the tonic that so many were seeking this year. We had a fantastic number of people come along, some travelling long distances, and the atmosphere was wonderful – uplifting and joyful, even in spite of the weather.

“This is a very special event for Sculpture by the Lakes, and we thank our festival-goers for all their positive feedback and look forward to bringing Wellbeing by the Lakes back even bigger and better next year.”

Sculpture by the Lakes remains open through autumn and winter. For more information visit sculpturebythelakes.co.uk