On 30 June, Chic-Londres was invited to the Wyndstock Midsummer Night’s Ball, a taster for the Wyndstock Garden Party Weekend, which will take place in the palatial splendour of Houghton Hall on the last weekend of August. What a party that was and what a weekend it will be! With its fairytale setting and hedonistic atmosphere, the utterly glamorous and slightly decadent Wyndstock is redefining the English summer house party. Highly recommended for those who like to dance until the small hours, dress up in their eccentric best and don’t mind a bit of camping!
The Place Wyndstock takes place in the spectacular grounds of Houghton Hall, a stately estate which is home to the Marquess of Cholmondeley. Situated in Norfolk and dating back to the 14th Century, the magnificent place emanates a fairytale quality, with its magical deer park, pristine manicured lawns, floral carpeted forests and an exquisite five-acre walled garden that belongs to another world entirely. Utterly enchanting and just a wood away from the Queen’s hunting estate of Sandringham, Wyndstock offers luxury camping facilities, but also invites its guests to bring their own tents. It takes about three hours to drive there from West London and there will be a coach service from Bethnal Green for those who don’t have their own transport.
The Entertainment Plentiful, as one would expect from the organisers, masters of parties Viktor Wynd of The Last Tuesday Society and Mark Holdstock of Bourne &Hollingsworth… Day activities include croquet and badminton, games of petanque, egg and spoon race, tug of war, British bulldog, yoga classes, poetry reading, talks about history and literature. At night, guests can gather around the spectacular bonfire and fireworks, before partying into the night, with a Midnight Masked Ball set deep into the woods and DJs playing until 8 in the morning (advice: don’t forget your ear plugs!) Also expect a touch of gentle debauchery, with naked people frolicking in hot tubs at night and slightly naughty life drawing classes organised in the garden.
The Dress Code “Simply your finest attire”! Linen suits, Panama hats, cricket whites, stripped blazers, top hat and tails, morning suits, Black tie, White tie, long flowery dresses, silk scarves, party frocks, ball gowns, flowery head pieces, capeline hats, the dress Schiaparelli made for your grandmother when she met the Empress in the colonies and Coco Chanel made for your mother when she was presented to the Queen for the first time… Whatever makes you feel your glorious, eccentric best- just don’t hold back! And obviously, being England, don’t forget the wellies – in the spirit of optimism, bring the bikinis too.
Tickets are £100 per person and there will be some local food stalls and bars: www.wyndstock.com
