Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/Copy-of-Copy-of-Ania-Shrimpton_Stowaway-2023-4774-e1710337875740.jpg" alt="Stowaway Festival Buckinghamshire" class="wp-image-157742" /></figure>



<p>Boutique festival in a lakeside setting with small stages, woodland yoga, paddleboarding, and artisan food trucks &#8211; and, yet, big-hitters like Groove Armada on the line-up? Yes, baby! It&#8217;s time to get <a href="https://stowawayfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stowaway Festival</a>&nbsp;in bucolic Bucks on your festie radar. It runs <strong>16-18 August</strong>&nbsp;and they&#8217;ve packed a whole lot of good times into three days, so here&#8217;s how to work it like a pro. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snap-it-up">SNAP IT UP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165404.427.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-163959" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165404.427.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165404.427-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165404.427-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165404.427-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A massage or facial in a woodland yurt is the metaphorical blister plaster after dancing your wellies off all night, but you&#8217;ll need to book ahead to snag your preferred slot. The Madewell Massage tent is offering 60-minute treatments to tackle the post-dancing ache with the gorgeous scent of organic Neal’s Yard Remedies massage oils putting you in a seriously meditative state (£70). On the facial front, it&#8217;s a much-needed rehydrating and relaxing facial for an hour using Wild Rose scented Neal’s Yard goodies and a neck and shoulder massage as well as cleansing, toning and moisturising &#8211; because, to be honest, when else is that going to happen? Both treatments are £70. Hot tub? Aka drink fizz and alternate the tub, cold plunge and sauna for up to 90 mins for £35pp plus booking fee. Divine. Plus there&#8217;s the ice baths to book ahead for the masochists out there. It&#8217;s all on Stowaway&#8217;s <a href="https://stowawayfestival.co.uk/mind-body-and-soul/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wellness page</a>. Too slow to nab your spot? The sound baths, yoga, paddleboarding and lake swimming are all free and don&#8217;t need booking in advance. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165307.737.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-163963" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165307.737.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165307.737-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165307.737-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165307.737-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The street food is ace, but if you want to take the weight off for a couple of hours and remind yourself what a knife and fork are for, then a gourmet feast is your bag. These need booking in advance so check <a href="https://stowawayfestival.co.uk/feasting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this page</a> of the Stowaway site for updates, and snaffle a spot as soon as it drops for an evening event or the bottomless brunch &#8211; hic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pack-it-in">PACK IT IN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165347.349.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-163960" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165347.349.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165347.349-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165347.349-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165347.349-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s two kinds of festival-goers &#8211; those who get into every inch of the festival armed with a mental (or physical) checklist and those who flop out on the grass drinking rosé with their pals and soaking up the live music. Hey, we&#8217;re not judging, but if you&#8217;re the former, you&#8217;ll need to come fully prepped. Here&#8217;s what to pack (alongside your clipboard and lanyard).</p>



<p>&#8211; yoga and swim gear to cover off the wellness classes, swimming, hot tub, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).<br>&#8211; dancing shoes: Groove Armada is in the house! As is Leftfield, Max Cooper, Cinthie, LTJ Bukem, London Afrobeat Collection, Discobobulator and more (full line-up <a href="https://stowawayfestival.co.uk/music-and-line-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>). Manolos can stay at home. <br>&#8211; bring a pew &#8211; if you like your <a href="https://stowawayfestival.co.uk/comedy-and-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comedy and theatre</a> you&#8217;ll want to set up a peachy spot for the Bards, be it camping chair, cushion or blanket if you don&#8217;t fancy the strawbale seating.<br>&#8211; glitter make-up, boas, tutus, ponchos, handgel, water bottle &#8211; you know the drill. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-your-lines">LEARN YOUR LINES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165325.911.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-163961" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165325.911.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165325.911-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165325.911-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165325.911-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Stowaway <a href="https://stowawayfestival.co.uk/music-and-line-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a> features all the acts performing at this year&#8217;s event so if you want to sing along, get listening on Spotify. Of course there&#8217;s the lead acts like Leftfield and the likes, but the joy of Stowaway is discovering the new talent. Want to sample Asian underground and prog jazz? Then Mayme Lawless is your go-to. Or how about deep house? Time to give Grace Sands a listen. Contemporary folk with groundbreaking violin? Boci&#8217;s your bag. This is the full smorgasbord of electronic music so get stuck in and find your summer vibe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-that-towel-down">GET THAT TOWEL DOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165419.767.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-163962" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165419.767.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165419.767-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165419.767-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/Untitled-design-2024-06-17T165419.767-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Not the type to bag the sun lounger at dawn? If you&#8217;re taking kids to Stowaway then you&#8217;re going to want to try everything that&#8217;s on offer &#8211; hey, you&#8217;ll be up with the lark anyway. Unlike the spa treatments, you don&#8217;t book ahead but pop your name down on the day for free activities like bushcraft workshops and tree climbing (with a harness). Meanwhile for the roller disco, just get there early to &#8211; literally &#8211; get your skates on. Don&#8217;t worry if you&#8217;ve got distracted by the barista coffee (or the espresso martinis) &#8211; there&#8217;s plenty you can just turn up to with the kids at <a href="https://stowawayfestival.co.uk/kids-kingdom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kid&#8217;s Kingdom</a> like circus workshop, pirate school, Tinkertown with tools and scrap timber, and immersive theatre. </p>



<p>Now this is something you will want to get sorted in advance: Stowaway nannies. Book ahead for a day-time or evening session where they won&#8217;t even miss you because they&#8217;ll be settling down in the fairy-lit and beanbag-decked tent, chilling out with stories, paying board games by torchlight or watching a movie. This is not a drill. They have nannies. Get the <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mortimer-nannies-x-stowaway-tickets-803904408727?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">down-low</a> here.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://stowawayfestival.co.uk/tickets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stowaway Festival</a> 18-20 August, Blackpit Farm, Stowe</strong>. <em>Tier 2 tickets are running really low and are set to sell out VERY soon, so get on it now sisters before the price increase!</em></p>


Festival survival guide: party like a pro this summer

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