Here at The Nest Collective we have some exciting updates and developments to announce.

11 March 2025

The Nest Collective was started by Sam Lee in a room above an Islington pub almost 20 years ago. Over the years we’ve run hundreds of events and welcomed thousands of people into woods, urban gardens, festivals and other extraordinary locations across the UK. We’ve hosted festivals, choirs, dances, gigs, pilgrimages and gatherings of all shapes and sizes, working with the UK’s best-loved festivals, cultural institutions and music organisations while presenting amazing UK and international artists.

The individuals who have helped create this organisation are many and we wouldn't have been able to realise these moments of joy without our core team, board of directors, artists, event staff, volunteers and of course you – our audiences and supporters. Together we have built a powerful and beautiful community whose commitment to putting music and art at the heart of how we experience and protect the natural world has only grown over time.

Singing With Nightingales has been a cherished part of the Nest Collective programme for the past decade. What began as an experiment in connecting music with nature has blossomed into something truly special - with over 10,000 people experiencing these enchanted evenings, countless musical collaborations, and deep transformative connections with the natural world. From this spring, SWN will become its own organisation – still under the stewardship of Sam Lee and an experienced team – with this natural evolution allowing SWN to focus exclusively on delivering and developing its unique and magical approach to nature connection. The 2025 season promises to be the most exciting yet, with expanded offerings including themed nights and a new location in Bedfordshire joining the original beloved site in Sussex woods.

The Nest Collective, under the leadership of longtime General Manager Thom Ashworth, will continue to bring amazing musical experiences to audiences through its diverse programme of events - bringing communities together through music in unique spaces in London, Brighton, and beyond. We’re very excited to bring Campfire Club back with a full summer programme for 2025, alongside our Ceilidhs and other special gatherings.

We're immensely proud of what the Nest Collective has built together over these 20 years and we’re looking forward to supporting each other as sister organisations and programmes as we all work to build a community closer to music, nature, and each other. Thank you for being part of this journey.