North Devon to Host UK’s Largest Queer Festival in 2025
North Devon is set to host the UK’s largest celebration for queer women and non-binary individuals with the return of the Out & Wild Festival from June 13 to 16, 2025, near Bideford. Founded by LGBTQIA+ campaigner Polly Shute, the event has grown significantly since its inception, offering an expanded lineup of activities including wild swimming, wellness workshops, music, and comedy.
The festival will take place at a private outdoor venue just a 30-minute walk from the sea, featuring on-site accommodation options and new activities like surfing excursions and mountain boarding. Attendees can look forward to wellness and fitness classes such as yoga and forest bathing, daily group sports including football and volleyball, spoken word performances, and talks from award-winning queer authors and influencers. Evening entertainment will include live music, comedy, silent DJ sets, and fire-pit singalongs.
Tickets for the event are available now, with more information on the festival’s website: https://www.outandwild.co.uk
The Out & Wild Festival’s move to North Devon underscores the region’s growing prominence as a hub for LGBTQ+ events. In August 2024, Bideford Pride united over 600 people in a vibrant display of LGBTQ+ strength, highlighting the community’s resilience and unity in North Devon and Torridge. Additionally, Totnes hosted its first gay pride festival in 2013, bringing together members of South Devon’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
The Out & Wild Festival’s relocation to North Devon reflects the region’s commitment to inclusivity and celebration of LGBTQ+ identities, providing a space for connection and community in a picturesque coastal setting.
