Over the sweltering August weekend, many decamped the sticky city with eyes locked on the tipis and champagne tipples promised by Wilderness Festival.
The four-day affair started steady on Thursday night, before an A-lister set rolled in on Friday to make the most of the long weekend.
Banquet meals by top chefs were enjoyed, before a few memorable music moments – Sophie Ellis-Bextor covered Madonna’s Like a Prayer, Jungle gave a strong performance and Years & Years’ Olly Alexander served looks, hits and steamy choreo.
There were plenty of unexpected appearances too — from disco ball dancers following the festival’s official Audi car to a Saturday morning cricket match which saw upwards of 15 streakers flaunt across the lawn. And proceedings rolled into the early hours each day. Most headed to the huge valley rave stage to dance until 4am, while a select set less keen on the dust were invited up to houses on the Cornbury Park Estate for inside bashes without time constraints.
From sustainable ventures to festival fizz, these were the hotspots on site...
Ocean Bottle
The bash: The Hydration Station is calling! Throughout the weekend, the spot for water refills and a pumping DJ was the Ocean Bottle beach hut. The 2018 founded brand is on a mission to clean up the seas, as each bottle sold funds the collection of 1000 plastic bottles headed to oceans. Stats like that did well to attract some stars.
The crowd:Jodie Comer turned heads when she sauntered up to the stall. With her Ocean Bottle in hand, she posed for pics before heading out for a party. Also chasing an environmentally conscious kick was Poldark actor Eleanor Tomlinson, who enjoyed the festival with new husband Will Owen.
The looks: Killing Eve actor Comer, who was letting off steam following her West End debut in her celebrated play Prima Facie, opted for subtle and boho chic in her loose fitting, floral mini dress paired with black cowboy boots and shades, while Tomlinson paired her Levi’s white t-shirt with denim jeans and a statement belt. The best look, though, was the Baywatch style drag queen who conquered the field in platforms and heckled passers-by from the life guard seat with a megaphone.
The lowdown: They may have been led by celebrities, but the handy water refill station proved a hit for all attendees as well. Even better? For every top-up during the fesival, Ocean Bottle funded the collection of 10 sea-bound bottles. A total of 250,000 were saved from dumping through sales and refills over the weekend, the company reports. We’ll drink to that.
Veuve Clicquot
The bash: If you wound to the back of the booming Veuve Clicquot tent, you found the door leading to a sun-trap, VIP champagne garden, where some of Wilderness’ biggest names could be spotted lapping up afternoon rays – orange flutes in hand, of course.
The crowd: Actor James Norton made merry into the late afternoon with his fiancée Imogen Poots, as they took a seat on the loungers and picnic tables sprawled across the fenced area. Game of Thrones star Joseph Mawle indulged too, alongside DJ Fiona Jane and Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing.
The looks: Vanessa Kirby was not afraid of getting warm as she rocked her biker-girl black jacket, with a bralette and shades, while The Witcher actress Anna Shaffer opted for floaty and free in a spotted frock and platform black sandals.
The lowdown: After a bottle (or two) of champagne, Veuve Clicquot handed out Lakeside Spritz’s to those less keen on another round of classic fizz. The big, ice-filled glasses were a hit, and quickly polished off by guests who then dispersed for quick changes before re-assembling for a banquet meal.
