Festival No.6
“Welcome to a festival like no other.” These are the defining words printed across an entry gate banner at Festival No.6. Such confidence is echoed by all who attend the event, which delivers in its promise as a “bespoke banquet of music, arts and culture.” It’s the picturesque location that will initially woo visitors. Arriving at the Welsh town of Portmeirion, which also happens to host the event and acts as its peripheral borders, is akin to stepping into fantastical Narnia. The magical Mediterranean-style coastal village is surrounded by woodlands and sits pretty alongside a picturesque estuary. It’s more than just a location, and No.6 would not be what it is today without its beloved host.
The trees are decorated with lanterns and streamers, costumes are encouraged, and revellers have the chance to dance upon a floating dance floor in the forest. The mood is experimental and surreal, with an obvious commitment to the arts, in all their forms. Be swept up in eclectic day carnivals, visit The Gatehouse for a poetry fix, grooving beside a caravan pumping out drum ‘n’ bass or dance those feet off at a techno dugout in the forest.
Upbeat shenanigans aside, relaxation is taken just as seriously. Take a dip in the swimming pool, be pampered at the Mermaid Spa, send the kids to pirate training workshops, or enjoy fine food as part of Dinner at Clough’s, which involves three days of fine dining menus created by Michelin-starred chefs.
Festival No.6 has done exceedingly well to rise above the saturated British summer event line up. For those who have experienced festival burnout, this might just rekindle the passion.
WORDS OF WISDOM
- Have fun with accommodation. Aside from the standard camping ticket, there’s also an opportunity to bed down in an expansive Lotus Belle yurt, wriggle into a tipi, or commit to the full VIP experience by booking a suite at 4-star Hotel Portmeirion, one of North Wales’ most iconic hotels. It’s right in the heart of the village, boasting views out across the estuary
PRE EVENT WATCH: Festival Number 6: 2014 Highlights Video by festivalnumbersix
Visit Festival No.6
