The Good Life Society

We're excited to announce the launch of our new event: On The Horizon. The weekend in July will bring some of the finest minds and future-thinkers from across the world to North Wales for an intimate, weekend-long opportunity to discuss the things that really matter; there will be talks, panels and discussions as well as great food from well-known chefs and a little music. In essence, this is a series of conversations of hope and inspiration that will inform your future. We’ll have some world-class speakers on how to create better businesses, start a charity or change your life for the better; as well as on medicine, education, leadership, global change and the environment. But we also want you to be at the centre of things; these are conversations that will run for the whole weekend and not lectures. The event runs from 5th -7th July and if you join us you’ll discover ways to make a positive difference to your own life and to those around you. Join us just for the talks or stay for the entire weekend - there’s a choice of luxury accommodation on site, ranging from comfortable glamping to beautiful bedrooms in historic estate buildings. Come and join the conversation! For further information and to book event tickets visit: https://lnkd.in/ehXK-kgV

I'm feeling so proud of The Walled Garden School this week. It's amazing to still be working with wonderful, creative people like Gail Bryson after so many years, and seeing her connection with guests, old and new, as well as with our team. The power of a good and authentic network is really phenomenal and The Good Life Society and Hawarden Estate would really not exist (well, Hawarden Estate would, but you know what I mean...) without the amazing people we are lucky enough to work with.

Summer Camp 2024 completed! What an incredible 3 weeks we have had. ☀️Over 300 guests ⛺️Around 70 different workshops ☀️4 DJs & 2 live music sets ⛺️300,000 steps ☀️A fair few margaritas ⛺️A beer or two Wonderful. Now to plan 2025.

Last night, I watched the series finale of The Bear, Season 3. About halfway through a world-class chef, played by Olivia Coleman, stands among a group of her peers, during the final service before her long running restaurant closes, forever.* Now the scripts are superb on The Bear. As you probably know. And the whole thing is an amazing testament to the craft of hospitality; it's exhilarating highs and excruciating lows. Whilst we aren't offering haute cuisine to guests at Summer Camp (it's much more relaxed, but still delicious), the following excerpt from the script is an amazing summation of why we do what we do. Ultimately, what gives our events longevity and legacy isn't the food, the activities, or even the place. It's the people. And it always will be. --- *Chef Terry: Uh, this will be quick. I just wanted to thank you all for being here. Um, and it’s so lovely to see you all again. Um… Uh… you’ve all played a beautiful part in keeping this particular plate spinning, for which I am eternally grateful. I never thought I’d be here. Not in my wildest dreams. I was thinking the other night, when I first started cooking professionally, uh, it was… I was a garde-manger in a brasserie in London. And it was an open kitchen, so I could see all of the customers coming in and, rather terrifyingly, they could also see me. Uh… But I was there for seven years all in. I worked my way up to CDC. And over that time, something rather beautiful happened. Um… I would see the regulars come in with their kids and their teenagers and, uh, I would watch those kids become teenagers. I would watch those teenagers become grown-ups. And I saw families grow. You know, families, people got married, people had kids, and I got to know them all, and I got to celebrate with them. And, um, people often talk about restaurants. As in, you know, what’s the history of it? What’s the impact it’s making? Uh, who… Who has worked there previously? What awards have they won? What about the, quote, “chef”? And I think what I’ve learned over the years, uh, in all the places I’ve worked, is, uh, people don’t remember the food. Sorry. [chuckles] It’s… It’s the people that they remember. And so I just wanted to say I’m so grateful that you’re all here. And, um… And thank you. Thank you.

Conversation is Important. How We're Fighting Against Culture Wars. We started On The Horizon because Hawarden Estate was once a place that attracted some of the finest political and social minds in the world and we wanted to try and catalyse a revival of this important chapter in its life. Let me explain... https://lnkd.in/dpDGW4wn

You may know us as the hosts of The Good Life Experience, Summer Camp, Camp Good Life, All Day Feasts, The Walled Garden School or a sister business to Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages, Hawarden Estate & The Glynne Arms. We have 10 years experience in hosting life-affirming events rooted in The Good Life: the best food, drink, craft, people, music, adventure and discovery. We're finding more and more like-minded businesses, big and small, want to share a slice of The Good Life with their teams. Well, now you can -all year round- on Hawarden Estate, North East Wales. This is what your team is looking for!

Come and work with us as a host at Summer Camp 2024 🏕! This is an exciting opportunity to become a key member of our team this July and August. We are looking for a small team of enthusiastic and hard-working people with can-do attitudes and preferably previous experience in customer-facing hospitality roles. This is a paid job, working from mid-July to mid-August. This will involve the build and break of the event as well as working the event weekends. We offer 3 meals a day during working days and can offer simple and shared accommodation if required. This is perfect for anyone interested in any hospitality, event management or project management roles. Please email ideas@thegoodlifesociety.co.uk with your CV, a bit more about you, and which role(s) you are interested in. Please apply by April 21st. More about each role is below can be found via our website: https://lnkd.in/eFEBYtHH #hiring

Come and see us. Join in with amazing and important conversations with like-minded people, and an incredible line up. 💡

👀 Looking for a memorable location for a special event this year? How about an 18th century castle on a a historic estate in North Wales? 🏰 Our latest holiday property, The West End, has been over a year in the making. It boasts a basement sauna, a handcrafted kitchen, several beautiful bedrooms and plentiful heating. Your stay here will be comfortable, fun, and absolutely unforgettable. For further information or to book a stay please visit https://lnkd.in/ec2ZwvyC

Hi Linked In 👋 Happy New Year! Charlie Gladstone Founder of the many businesses here at Hawarden Estate in Wales and Glen Dye in Scotland is hosting a workshop for leaders of teams of all sizes at The Walled Garden School this January. 📅 25th January 2024 | 9.30am - 4pm £150 per person Charlie wrote his book ‘Do Team’ in 2021. He wrote it with his children in mind, but you’ll find it useful if you work alone, in a small team, or with thousands. It’s about the beauty of kindness, efficiency, positivity and fun as well as the power of clarity of leadership and vision at work. The day at Hawarden Estate’s Walled Garden be full of practical takeaways and will help attendees to grow in confidence in their leadership ability. 🌱 https://lnkd.in/evu5QABC