Step out from behind your screen and join us at SoFest for a transformative experience designed to nurture your mind, body, and soul. Connect with like-minded professionals in a beautiful outdoor setting like no other!
Imagine connecting with 100 facilitators, trainers, and coaches, sharing experiences, learning from inspiring speakers, and attending workshops while enjoying a peaceful, rejuvenating retreat.
Welcome to SOFest, a three-day, two-night event designed for those who want to focus on themselves and their businesses.
Join us for a journey of connection, learning, and inspiration, or simply relax in nature, float in the lake, and enjoy the magical surroundings.
Immerse yourself in
I know whatever the topic, it will be a nourishing session that helps me feel connected and part of a community. Everyone is very supportive and it's great to be surrounded by a wonderful bunch of other facilitators/coaches/trainers
- AR, attendee of previous SOF event.
Become an Impact Partner
Create meaningful change
At SOFest, we’re committed to making learning experiences accessible to everyone. By becoming an Impact Partner, you can help individuals from underrepresented or vulnerable backgrounds attend, learn, and connect in ways that could change their future.
Your support provides:
✅ Funded access – Cover ticket costs for those facing financial barriers.
✅ Resources & learning – Enable tailored workshops and materials.
✅ A more inclusive festival – Ensure diverse voices are heard and valued.
Your contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Let’s shape a festival where everyone belongs.
The community has a generous approach to sharing knowledge and experience. I feel like I’ve found my tribe, thank you Kirsty!
- EC, attendee of previous SOF event.
Discover the Workshops
Explore the four different areas - Business Lab, The Playground, Client Corner & Heart Centre
The Clarity Code: Define, Describe, Differentiate: Position Yourself Naturally as the Perfect Choice for Your Ideal Clients
Murray Cowell
Your Body as an Intelligent System – Body wisdom to increase performance, presence & peace.
Rachel Allan
SOFest 2025 is taking place at the stunning lakeside venue, Chalkney Water Meadows in Essex.
Surrounded by ancient woodland, it is the perfect space to escape the mundane, breathe in the fresh air, and unwind under the starry sky by the campfire.
I enjoy re-connecting with people I've met before (or only online) and getting the opportunity to meet new people too. Everyone is welcoming, generous with their thoughts and it leaves me feeling refreshed.
- CH, attendee of previous SOF event
Purchase your tickets
Pay in Full
- Access to 10 inspiring speakers
- Choose from 16 hands-on workshops
- All meals, snacks & drinks included
- 2 night glamping in a shared bell tent
- Enjoy the lake, nature walks & yoga
- Evening entertainment, campfires, and more
Pay in 2
- Access to 10 inspiring speakers
- Choose from 16 hands-on workshops
- All meals, snacks & drinks included
- 2 nights glamping in a shared bell tent
- Enjoy the lake, nature walks & yoga
- Evening entertainment, campfires, and more
- Spread the cost over two payments (full balance due before the festival)
Apply for a funded place
We believe learning should be accessible to everyone. If you’re from the charity or NGO sector, new to facilitation, on a low income, or from an underrepresented background, you can apply for a fully funded or discounted place here.
SoFEST is considered an event by the British Government so is liable for VAT for all attendees, including those from overseas.
Frequently asked questions
Participation
Teybrook Orchard, Brook Rd, Essex, CO6 1JE
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SOFest is a space for facilitators, trainers, coaches and educators to come and connect, learn and share. You have your own business or work in-house, either way you want to meet new people and deepen your connections in the community. You recognise the power of developing and growing yourself, deepening your skills and evolving your business
Many of us are ‘professionally lonely’ and taking time to be with others, in nature, is good for the soul. Yes we will be speaking about the future of learning, exploring different training and facilitation modalities, talking about all things business and clients.
What SOFest is not is a place to pitch for business or to coach one another (unless you ask to be coached)
Absolutely. Many like you don’t know anyone before they come and have doubts and fears about coming. SOF is a really welcoming community. We will be hosting events before SOFest and weaving connection through our time together and like all good trainers and facilitators will host a debrief after the event. At the event you’ll meet up to 2 fellow tent mates soon after arrival (if not bringing your own or a campervan – see below). We also have lots of volunteers on site should you have anything you’re worried or concerned about and need someone to talk to.
Sure – if your friend is a facilitator, trainer, coach or educator share the website with them so that they can buy a ticket.
Unfortunately not – SOFest is a kids-free zone. We have kids ourselves and know what a challenge it can be to get childcare, but we’ve found that you can be fully present in the talks and workshops when focused just on yourself for a few days.
No. As much as I love dogs this isn’t the case for everyone. If it is a companion dog or guide-dog the answer is yes.
And no you can’t bring your cat, hamster, rabbit or goldfish either!
Trains run from Liverpool Street, London every half an hour and take approximately 50 mins to the nearest station which is Marks Tey or Colchester. These stations are approximately a 15-minute drive from the cabins. Please note, it is necessary to pre-book a taxi.
We are planning on putting on a coach. If you want to be on the coach tell us here
Feel free to bring your midnight snacks and favourite drinks.
There is a space for making your own hot drinks should you so desire. We will provide tea and coffee too.
There is a bar which will serve alcohol and soft drinks. Corkage may be charged on bottles brought onto the site.
Itinerary
The event opens at 0930 on Tuesday 10th June (with the start at 1100). The event finishes at 1400 on Thursday 12th June. All attendees will be asked to wear a wristband for the duration of the event. The final schedule and a map of the site will be provided on arrival.
All meals, snacks, tea/coffee and water are included in the price.
There will be a paid bar between 1800 - 2300.
Accommodation
Your ticket includes accommodation in one of the luxury bell tents. If you prefer you can bring your own tent or campervan, please let us know by emailing us.
The bell tents are 5m wide and if buying a standard ticket you’ll be sharing with up to 2 other fellow campers. They will be same sex tents. A comfortable sleeping bag, pillow and camping bed will be supplied for you. Upon arrival at camp, if driving, please park your car at the directed area and then make your way to the registration desk. From here we’ll direct you to your bell tent.
Please be aware that if it’s a clear, starry night it will be very cold out camping. If you are prone to chilliness please bring extra blankets, warm clothes or a hot water bottle. We don’t sell blankets, sleeping bags or extra layers on site, so come prepared.
If you’ve decided to bring your own tent instead of using one of our free bell tent beds, let us know by email. You can pitch any sized tent you like free of charge. Upon arrival at camp, if driving, please park your car in the designated area and then make your way to the front of the marquee for registration. From here we’ll give you directions to pitch your tent.
If you’ve decided to bring a campervan to SOFest, there is a potential surcharge (TBC). Email us to arrange this. Upon arrival at SOFest, please ask one of our traffic volunteers for directions on where to park your campervan.
Please note, if you decide at the last minute that you’d like to take advantage of your free bell tent place after having told us you’re bringing your own tent or campervan this will only be possible if we have spaces left.
We won’t stop you but to have the full SOFest experience we recommend staying on site so you don’t miss out on anything. Magic most happens around a campfire and over early morning coffee.
Facilities
Warm clothing (expect it to be cold at night)
Tent and sleeping bag (if you’re bringing your own tent)
Towels
Shower gel/shampoo
Torch
Water bottle
Cash (for paid bar)
Waterproof clothing (this is England!)
Wellies/gumboots
Swimwear (there’ll be wild swimming on site)
Wet wipes
Blanket (if you have room)
Unfortunately we won’t be able to provide much in the way of charging facilities for mobile phones. We’re encouraging people to take a break from their devices while at camp and be present. If you are concerned about charging your phone battery, we’d recommend buying an external battery pack and bringing this along.
Our washing facilities are designed to accommodate our outdoor glamping and workshop space. Showers are located in two converted horse boxes, with separate facilities for men and women.
The site features multiple toilets housed in repurposed Shepherds Huts. While toilet facilities are plentiful, shower availability is more limited. As a result, guests may experience short waits during peak morning hours. For quicker access, consider using the showers in the afternoon when demand is typically lower.
These facilities reflect the site's focus on outdoor living and repurposed structures, balancing basic comforts with the natural environment.
There is a Co-op in the neighbouring village of Earl Colne which is 1.5 miles from SOFest
Goings on
All talks will take place in the main tent. As we’ll be filming these we ask that you take your seat 5 mins before each session begins. A full schedule will be given to you on arrival at SOFest.
Each day there will be workshops running in parallel. We’ll remind you to sign up for workshops during the festival as many of these have limited numbers.
We are looking to run morning sessions that may include a walk, run, yoga, journalling, these are all to be confirmed, and will let you know in advance.
There is a lake on-site. It will be open for swimming at certain times as the life-guards must be present. Please bring your swimmers and a towel.
We will be in touch closer to the time to collect the following information.
- any special dietary requirements eg vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free
- any special health (including mobility) needs that may affect your stay
- any allergies that you have that you feel we need to be aware of
- any medication that you are currently taking that you feel we need to be aware of
YES! That sounds great. We would ask that you respect the music curfew which is 2300.
No. You decide what you want to attend and join. You may want to sit outside in silence or chat with others.
Refunds/Cancellation
We understand that plans can change so we’ve created a refund policy that is flexible and fair based on when you inform us about your cancellation:
If paying in full, and you cancel:
- Before February 11th: 50% refund available or defer your ticket to next year’s event at no extra cost. This is four months before SOFest.
- Feb 12th – April 13th: You can defer to next year’s event, or transfer your ticket to another accepted applicant at no extra cost. No refunds.
- April 14th - May 12th: You can transfer your ticket to another accepted applicant at no extra cost. No refunds or deferrals.
- May 13th onwards: No refund, deferrals or transfers. This is one month before SOFest starts.
If paying via a payment plan
No refunds or partial refunds available on payment plans.
If you cancel:
- Before April 13th: You can use any monies paid as a credit towards next year’s event.
- April 14th - May 12th: You can use any monies paid as a credit towards next year’s event (up to a maximum 50% of the ticket value) or continue paying and defer your full ticket to next year. You can also transfer your ticket to another accepted applicant.
- May 13th onwards: No refund, deferrals or transfers.
