ONE of the country’s loveliest festivals makes a welcome return this spring, with an impressive line-up of acts and activities. Wood Festival is intended to be the antidote to large corporate events.

If your experience of festivals is all about mud, mayhem and deafening music, then you are in for a treat. Set up by Truck festival founders Robin and Joe Bennett, the relaunched event is back at Braziers Park, near Wallingford, after a year’s absence, under the direction of festival big gun Vince Power.

Headlining is singer-songwriter and lover of West Coast psychedelia Mary Epworth. She is joined by Trevor Moss and Hannah Lou, Syd Arthur, Nick Cope, khora player Jali Fily Cissokho, Julie Hawk, Flights of Helios, Jack Day, Maniere des Bohemiens, and Robin and Joe’s band The Dreaming Spires.

There are workshops teaching everything from traditional crafts to recognising wildlife and communing with nature.

More acts are yet to be announced.

Robin said: “Wood is where those tired of bigger festivals or wanting something different, young families with kids in tow, local-foodies, folk fanatics and birdwatchers alike can have fun and relax while enjoying great music, delicious food and drink, wonderful workshops, and the joy of camping out in a wooded clearing in the Chiltern hills while red kites soar overhead.

“There will be opportunities for everyone to participate, exciting activities for children, campfire sing-songs and many newly-sprouted features fresh for 2013.”

The festival runs from May 17-19. Adult weekend tickets are £75, including three days camping and all workshops. Children aged 12 and under get in free, with older kids getting in at a reduced price.

Go to the Truck Store, Cowley Road, Oxford, or woodfestival.com

  • In tomorrow's Oxford Mail Robin Bennett talks in depth about the return of Wood festival