Posting this from Wilderness – perfect weather today and the festival is just as good as I’d hoped it would be. My advice: if you can make it down tomorrow, definitely go for it.

The Flying Seagulls magic show. Really fun and they have a heart too – their remit is to help vulnerable kids and adults through laughter. www.flyingseagull.co.uk

Wilderness feels cool, sexier, a bit younger than the Cornbury Festival (see review here) and is undoubtedly a festival that would work wonderfully well without children in tow. Stop for a moment and allow me to roll that delicious thought around my head. Mmm! Yes!  I’m picturing myself noshing on the food banquets cooked by top chefs, having a  languid coffee and browse in fab cafe/bookshop Jaffe & Neale (another previous Muddy recommendation), rummaging through the retro clothes at the Vintage mini festival, donning sequins and feathers for the masked ball.

Ah. But what are these things hanging onto my ankles? Why yes, it’s my three children, so it’s non to a masked ball, and oui to magic shows. But it matters not. Whether you’re with friends, family or on your own, you’d have to really try not to have a great time here. For starters, the festival location in Cornbury Park (don’t confuse it with the other festival of the same name) is utterly idyllic – I know this phrase is overused but in this case it’s wholly justified. Ancient trees, undulating streams and a clear-water lake sloping gently from the banks are all wonderfully bucolic.

Everything ‘works’ – from the excellent quality food, the signage around the festival (no Glastonbury, the site isn’t that big and is easy to navigate around), the enclosed kids area, the main music stage, boating and swimming areas on the lake… Hell, there are even camel rides at this place! Must go. Come tomorrow if you can! x

The Mermaid of the lake. Iris was entranced by her and wants to leave us to join her family. Dirty turncoat.