Big Green Gathering

Festival Location: Mendip Hills, England

Festival Type(s): Environmental Festivals, Family Festivals

Do something different this year and take a trip to the greenest festival in Europe. The Big Green Gathering, a five day, green, family camping festival, is held annually in July.at a farm high on the Mendip Hills, near Cheddar in Somerset.

The 200 acre farm owned by Andy Wear and his family will be turned into a low carbon eco-holiday for 20,000 festival goers with all entertainment on site provided by renewable energy. The Big Green Gathering leads the way in using alternative energy to power music venues, theatres and cinemas. You can even wash your clothes courtesy of a pedal powered washing machine.

This five day extravaganza is divided into several themed zones, each contributing to a vision of sustainable living, combined with some of best entertainment in the country, whatever your taste from alternative theatre to carnival and eastern folk.

An action packed children's area and environmentally friendly,solar powered fun fair, a healing zone, earth energies area, sustainable homes, green crafts and campaign stalls mean that you can learn new skills and be one of those people that really do tread more lightly on the planet.

And just to ensure that you get a balanced view of this world the ethics, spirituality and philosophy zone will make the connections between the material world and our spiritual well being. Green speakers from Brigit Strawbridge to Tony Juniper will contribute to the ecological debates in the green forum.

The food and farming area is a showcase of local produce, complete with a local inn selling local beers. Near to it is the permaculture area, where visitors can attend workshops and learn how to grow their plants in harmony with nature.

Brig Oubridge, Chair of the Big Green Gathering said, "The Big Green Gathering is a truly memorable experience. High on the Mendip Hills near Cheddar, an alternative scene is going on. Powered by wind, sun and the people the Big Green Gathering has something for everyone from child to pensioner. Whether you just want to be entertained by clowns, theatre, dance, poetry, cinema or music or listen to daily discussions with panels of prominent experts exploring key green issues, try your hand at pottery or even just wander through the Green Markets, The Big Green Gathering is an essential event."

Penny Kemp, Director of the Big Green Gathering said, "We are especially proud of our award winning Green Access and Mobility Area where those that have mobility issues can take full advantage of all aspects of the event in the knowledge that their needs are fully met by a team of expert carers."