Kelston Roundhill hilltop

Life Itself · UK Gathering

Midsummer on the Hill

A five-day gathering near Bath — reflection, connection, and shared life at midsummer.

📅 17–21 June 2026 🏡 Kelston Roundhill, Bath 👥 ~20 people

The Essentials

Key Info

🥳

What

A small, deep three-day gathering for the core community, plus a larger midsummer celebration on Saturday night — live music, shared meal, dancing — open to a wider circle.

📅

When

Wednesday 17th June (afternoon) to Sunday 21st June (morning). Saturday celebration open to all from 1pm.

🏡

Where

Roundhill Barn, Kelston, Bath, BA1 9AF. A hilltop barn and grounds on the Cotswold Way, between Bath and Bristol.

😄

Who

Members of the Life Itself network — collaborators, previous Hub residents, research community contributors, friends — and newcomers curious to discover more. About 20 people. Not only for the UK community.

🌱

Vibe

Playfulness · Curiosity · Creativity · Care

💗

Why Come

  • Step out of habitual context for reflection and nourishment
  • Connect with others exploring paradigmatic change, contemplative practice, community, and more
  • Be together on the land at midsummer, on one of the most beautiful hilltops in Somerset
Roundhill Barn and grounds

About the Gathering

Intention & Place

Intention

This gathering is a chance for the Life Itself community to come together in a remarkable landscape: to meet each other, deepen connections, and enjoy being together on the land.

It's also an opportunity to touch into the spirit of Life Itself: to tune into the question of what it means to cultivate radically wiser worlds, through our way of being together as much as through the topics and activities we explore.

The week builds toward a midsummer celebration on Saturday, open to a wider circle. By then the core group will have spent days together — walking, talking, cooking, making. We want to bring that into the larger gathering too.

The Place

Roundhill Barn sits on a hilltop above the village of Kelston, on the Cotswold Way between Bath and Bristol. The views are beautiful. The site includes the barn itself, surrounding grounds for camping, and access to walks along the ridge. Bath Soft Cheese is made on the neighbouring farm.

View from Roundhill

Structure & Activities

What Might Happen

We use Open Space Technology as the primary format, creating the schedule together. In the spirit of collective care, we prepare food together. Some things planned in advance; others emerge on the day.

🥾 Walks along the Cotswold Way with spectacular views across Somerset
💬 Open Space sessions on themes that matter to the group
🪑 Building a community bench together
🏹 Archery and axe-throwing on site
🧀 A visit to the neighbouring Bath Soft Cheese farm
🎨 Art, music, dance
👶 Childcare, designed so that everyone thinks the kids are having more fun than everyone else
🎪 Preparing together for Saturday's celebration: staging, decoration, cooking

Programme

Schedule

Wednesday 17th June

From 2pm — Arrival, settle in, pitch tents

Evening — Welcome and opening dinner

Thursday 18th & Friday 19th June

Gathering days: Open Space sessions, activities on the land, shared meals, evening time together

Saturday 20th June — Midsummer Celebration

Morning — Final gathering sessions for core group

From 1pm — Wider celebration begins. Guests arrive, take in the hilltop

2pm — Short opening ceremony to mark the solstice

Afternoon — Activities on the hill: walks, conversations, open exploration

Evening — Shared meal, then ceilidh with live band

Sunday 21st June

Closing and departure

Families Welcome

Children are very welcome. We're putting together a dedicated kids programme — craft activities, water rockets, archery, and more — with the aim that everyone thinks the kids are having more fun than everyone else. Please let us know if you're bringing children so we can plan accordingly.

Investment

Cost

All prices include food for the duration of the gathering.

Base Rate

£295

Bring your own tent or stay locally

Shared Bell Tent

£355

Large bell tent, two per tent, mattress provided

Solo Bell Tent

£415

Large bell tent to yourself

Benefactor

£500+

Get in touch to let us know your preference

"Pay what you can" options available on request — get in touch. If camping isn't for you, Bath is only 5km away.

Book Now

First come, first served. Places are limited to around 20 people.

Register Now

Questions? Email [email protected] — William, Harry, Petronella or Pip