Peace in the Park, which takes over the Global Retreat Centre in Nuneham Courtenay this bank holiday weekend, is unlike any other festival. Organiser Wendy Marshall tells Tim Hughes what it's all about

There is no shortage of festivals this summer. Every weekend sees a plethora of events springing up in the Oxfordshire countryside – and this week is no exception.

However, none are like Peace in the Park.

There are no big bands, no banging DJ sets –there isn't even a bar. And there are absolutely no drugs. Oh, and it's free.

The antidote to commercial festival-going, this wholesome gathering at the Global Retreat Centre at Nuneham Courtenay offers spiritual improvement, mindfulness and lots of good, clean fun.

"This is a festival of big dreams and bold ideas in a gorgeous setting created as an antidote to our commercial, combative, speeded-up world," says Wendy Marshall, one of its organisers.

"We have music full of uplift and optimism, talks that inspire and enlighten, meditation pavilions that waft you into a beautiful headspace, and a curious enchanted forest with performances and natural activities for families under a canopy of ancient oaks.

"And it is held in the wildflower meadows, secret gardens and ancient woodlands of the Global Retreat Centre, one of the most peaceful places on Earth."

But despite sounding worthy, it is a fun-loving event, with activities for children as well as well as those on a voyage of self-discovery.

"It's a family friendly festival with a big heart, offered without charge as a labour of love by authors, artists, musicians, speakers and volunteers who believe in creating the world of our dreams," says Wendy.

"It's no small thing to spend a few days away from commercialism in a place full of wonder and awe.

"Peace in the Park tends to leave even the most hardened cynic smiling for no particular reason as the infectious and sunny optimism that pervades the whole event seeps into the psyche."

She admits it is a far cry from Reading Festival – the three day circus of world-class rock & roll taking place over the Thames in Berkshire at the same time.

She says: "Among its unique features are gorgeous spaces people can lounge around in and absorb deep tranquility, short mindset talks that help shift perspectives and nudge attitudes to a more compassionate and uplifting place, and dreamy meditation pavilions that make experiencing a pleasant headspace effortless.

"Once you have felt your mood shift up a gear just by trying out a new attitude or test driving a ‘loving life’ state of being, it becomes irresistible to take that home and see if it works at the coal face of life.

"And whether its a big bold idea from the Big Love tent or dipping into the mindful painting sessions, these are all designed to be both fun and life-enhancing."

She insisted music was a big part of Peace in the Park – despite the lack of big-named acts.

"All the musicians are there to share the journey to the beautiful place their music-making takes them," she says, adding "And because the festival setting is so varied and beautiful, music takes place in intimate spaces – delightful wraparound enclaves, under ancient and exotic trees, in an historical chapel or an uber-friendly, totally positive, feelgood dance pavilion."

Younger festival-goers have an Enchanted Forest to explore, featuring make-believe play spaces , and will be treated to fun at a Fairytale Theatre in a clearing of magical oaks.

There is also a Wild and Creative Dell, in which budding artists can make creations out of moss, feathers, sticks and other woodland materials.

The food too, is far from the usual festival fare. No soggy burgers, greasy fried chicken or overpriced burritos here.

"Our street food is from makers who cook from love.," says Wendy. "It is reasonable in cost and high in inspiration with beautiful ethics.

"The Global Retreat Centre itself is a stunning setting for a festival. It has a fascinating history of poets, revolutionaries and philosophers, and, nowadays, draws people working for a better world from around the world.

"One of the unique features of Peace in the Park, is that people can actually come into an immensely peaceful atmosphere because of where it is. So even if they don’t fancy learning a bit of meditation or experiencing a bit of ‘Big Love’, they can still experience that light, stress free, upbeat feeling, just by soaking in the ambience of the place.

"And, of course, there is loads for families who want their kids to have fun in a non-commercial and natural way with craft, stories, theatre and immersive activities to fire up their imagination in the enchanted forest – which has a 'wisening' theme this year. Plus there is other-worldly music, ideas to get our hope and optimism working again and plenty of chill out spaces. "I think its a excellent antidote to the heavy, depressive news cycle at the moment."

And how do they manage to do it for free?

"Making this festival free is always a risk," she says. "We started out with the hope that if we made something extremely beautiful and totally different from any other festival, costs would get covered by people contributing whatever they fancied and could afford.

"Six years down the line, with a festival that has grown each year, that hope has held true. Volunteers make huge contributions of time and passion, so that pure goodwill runs through every inch of it.

"In an age when festivals have become big business, this festival is powered by big dreams, bold ideas and the kind of atmosphere that money just cannot buy."

* Peace in the Park takes place at the Global Retreat Centre, Nuneham Courtenay, from Saturday to Bank Holiday Monday.

Free tickets from peaceintheparkfestival.org