Nearly every UK festival has been cancelled this summer and it's safe to say they are desperately missed.
Bristol is home to a huge array of varied events but this year virtually all of them have been scrapped due to Covid-19.
All hope is not lost, however, as soon we will have an opportunity to get our much-needed festival fix - albeit in a slightly more tame fashion than what we're perhaps used to.
In August a stunning site overlooking Chew Valley Lake, half an hour's drive from Bristol, will welcome Pop Up Paradise - a new eco campsite featuring a range of entertainment for all ages.
Headed up by a team of experienced festival organisers, Pop Up Paradise will feature socially distanced entertainment each evening including spoken word, live musicians, world class circus and cabaret, talks, panel discussions and games.
Holistic therapies, wellbeing and interactive children’s activities will also be offered at the campsite, while an on-site restaurant will fuel campers with fresh produce cooked by a top chef.
Running from August 4 - August 31, Pop Up Paradise will also boast an on-site cinema screening films aimed at both young and old viewers.
Safety measures
Social distancing measures will be in place and there will be limited spaces on site with extended pitch sizes to ensure no overcrowding, said a spokesperson.
Each social group will be encouraged to stay within their bubble while the restaurant will be an open-sided tent offering table service.
Each group will be allocated a table for the duration of their stay at the bar and restaurant area, with views of the stage so people can party in the safety of their own bubble.
Table service will be in place to avoid crowding at the bar and regularly-cleaned compost toilets and hot showers will be provided, which will be thoroughly cleaned after each use.
The dance floor will be gridded out and theatrical characters will ensure safe distances are maintained.
What activities will be on offer?
The timetable of weekly activities will roll through the month and campers can get involved with as much of it as they like.
Mondays are wellbeing days complete with yoga classes, healthy set meals, countryside walks, gong baths and more.
Tuesday evenings will see Dick's Cheesy Bingo Night take to the stage, which entertained revellers at Glastonbury Festival 2019 at the new Glastonbury on Sea attraction.
Wednesday evening will be hosted by Hammer & Tongue Bristol, presenting some of the world’s best poets and spoken word artists.
Thursday evening will be jointly curated by Breaking Convention, an organisation dedicated to understanding psychedelics, and The Word - the spoken word and poetry tent that features at Shindig Festival in Somerset.
Friday will be hosted by Interstellar Circus, putting on a night of world class performers, circus, acrobatics juggling, clowning and some slapstick thrown in for good measure.
Saturday and Sunday will focus on musicians and artists , with both established and rising stars lined up to perform.
Food and drink
There will be an on-site restaurant offering a daily cooked breakfast using the finest organic ingredients.
There will be two restaurant sittings during the evening with food cooked by an "internationally acclaimed chef," using local and organic ingredients.
Vegetarian, gluten free and meat options are available while a pizza oven and burger bar will be open daily from 12-9pm for those who get peckish before dinner.
There will also be an on-site campsite shop selling organic vegetables fresh from The Community Farm, organic local meat, milk and eggs, as well as vegan plant-based alternatives.
"Pitches selling like hot cakes"
Darren Paul Kley, co-founder of Pop-up Paradise, said: "Finding the balance between social distancing, safe practices and wellbeing, whilst creating a much-needed fun environment for all the family, has been a daunting yet exciting challenge.
"However, we're proud to be offering this breath of fresh air during these new times and delighted that it's already proving so popular, with pitches selling like hot cakes."
For more information including the different types of accommodation and tickets, visit Pop-Up Paradise's website.
