North Devon festival for LGBTQ+ women is shortlisted for national award

The North Devon-based Out & Wild Festival has been named in the top three for this year’s Gaydio Awards.

The festival is the biggest of its kind in the UK for queer women and non-binary people and has been running for five years, the last two in North Devon at Abbotsham.

The festival has been shortlisted for Event of the Year at the annual Gaydio Awards, held on Friday, March 20 at a glittering ceremony in Manchester.

Now in their fourth year, the awards shine a light on the grassroots heroes, local charities and community organisations doing vital, often unseen work to improve LGBTQ+ lives across the UK.

Out & Wild is entirely self-funded and was founded by friends Polly and Becky during Covid and this July expects to welcome more than 1,200 attendees from more than 20 countries around the world to its site at Abbotsham next to The Big Sheep.

Above: The Out & Wild Festival organising team. Credit: Out & Wild

Polly said: “We make the most of our location, with sea swims, surfs, hikes and forest bathing. We also offer opportunities for attendees to stay on and enjoy the area.

“We have dozens of activities during the day, from workshops to wellness and craft sessions, and will have comedy and music in the evening. We focus on platforming both local and national acts.”

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Above: Women enjoying a previous Out & Wild Festival – the event returns to North Devon in July. Credit: Out & Wild Festival

The Out & Wild team are delighted to have been shortlisted for the awards. Polly added: “I started the festival because I did not come out until I was 41 and never saw places that I could go to. I wanted to create a space I would have gone to when I was first thinking about coming out.

“I was on the board of Pride in London and while there are more than 200 prides in the UK, they feel very male dominated.

“Queer women told me that they wanted a space that was designed for them, and focused around connecting with others. Safety was also important as 40% of women under 40 receive unwanted sexual attention at standard music fests.”

Above: An audience enjoying an event at Out & Wild. Credit: Out & Wild Festival 

Polly said nature had been important to their festival audience and when a new venue was needed last year, North Devon seemed the perfect location.

She added: “We have been blown away by the local support we have got from local Prides and charities and organisations like Active Devon and Ultimate Adventure and the Big Sheep. We are also making sure we work with local acts and wellness leads.”

The Gaydio awards celebrate those creating safer spaces, building inclusive communities, and driving real change from the ground up.

The evening in Manchester is expected to be bustling with appearances from celebrities, activists and community leaders – previous performers on the night have included Raye and Tulisa, as well as a star-studded guest list.

The Out & Wild Festival takes place from Friday, July 3 to Monday, July 6 at Abbotsham. For more information visit www.outandwild.co.uk