THOUSANDS of festival goers are expected to flock to Hawarden as the Good Life Experience returns for its sixth year this September.

The Good Life Experience takes place in the glorious, unusual and historic of the Hawarden Estate against the backdrop of two castles.

The festival was founded by Cerys Mathews MBE, founding member of multi-million selling band Catatonia, award winning DJ at BBC Radio 2, 6 Music and World Service and author of Hook, Line and Singer, a bestseller published by Penguin, Steven Abbott, arts consultant and manager, and Charlie and Caroline Gladstone, founders of online store, Pedlars, award winning pub The Glynne Arms, Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, Glen Dye Cabins & Cottages and co-authors of The Family Guide to the Great Outdoors (Random House).

From September 12 to 15, The Good Life Experience will invite a host of entertainers, artists and thinkers to the Hawarden Estate to share their knowledge, skills or performance.

The eclectic line-up includes iconic DJ Norman Jay MBE, song writing royalty Guy Chambers, Wahaca founder Thomasina Miers, The Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant, first Britain in space Helen Sharman, arts/nature/culture clash Caught by the River, craft experts Hole & Corner, former Director General of MI5 Dame Stella Rimington and many more.

This year also marks the first year for the festival’s new site - now closer to the two castles and the lake, gardens and woodlands that surround them. The organisers have also introduced a new three-night ticket option, for an extended weekend of fun and discovery.

Cerys Mathews MBE said: “It was an ongoing discussion about The Search for the Good Life that led the four of us to create a festival with a difference. Our focus is on music, art, food, culture and nature. It’s a festival for every generation with an emphasis on discovery, exploration and adventure – a combination of The Great British Bake Off, meets Bear Grylls meets The Tube.

“It’s about passion, making memories and getting back to nature. To learn something new is what life’s all about. Once you stagnate, you’re not living life to the full. The festival invites people to reconnect with life and reconnect with nature.”

There will be plenty on offer including axe throwing, foraging, campfire cooking sessions with world class chefs, daily feasts, mass sing-a-longs, over 40 expert craftspeople, beer served by experts, talks by explorers, abseiling from Hawarden Castle, a free 1930s fairground, wild swimming, poetry, literature and endless How To... talks.

Co-founder Charlie Gladstone adds: “At its core the festival can best be defined as The Search for The Good Life; a life that’s fulfilled and considered but is also fun and values the things that matter. Family, friends, a real connection with The Great Outdoors, books, proper food and drink, discovery, music that comes from the soul, great books, craft. All the things that don’t cost a great deal but that make life richer, more rewarding and better fun.”