Did you know... people who come to fruit festivals report feeling amazing

This isn’t just because they are on holiday in beautiful surroundings, meeting fabulous people, and getting lots of fresh air, exercise and rest. There are solid scientific reasons why a low fat, fruit-based raw or high raw vegan diet will turn your health around.
People who eat this way report a huge range of health benefits, including less asthma and acne, improvements in autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis and inflammatory arthritis, deeper and more restful sleep, fewer coughs and colds, less constipation and better digestion, and achieving a healthy and more stable weight.
Less fat opens your blood vessels and increases blood flow

Most of us know that eating too much fat can cause ‘furring’ and then hardening of the arteries (something called ‘atherosclerosis’) over many years, reducing the blood flow to many of our vital organs (including our heart and brain) and resulting in heart attacks and strokes in later life.
But did you know that too much fat in your blood right now blocks the production of a chemical called nitric oxide, which is necessary to help blood vessels relax and open. Reducing your fat consumption increases nitric oxide, opens blood vessels, and increases the blood flow to every organ in your body.
Increased blood flow means better mood, energy and athletic performance

Many people report that switching to a low fat, high raw, plant-based (LFHRPB) diet caused their brain fog to lift, their mood to improve, their energy levels to skyrocket, and their mind to become as sharp as a razor blade. These things alone are absolutely priceless.
BUT THIS ISN’T ALL! In 1990, Dean Ornish and his team demonstrated that a diet containing <10% of total calories from fat, combined with other lifestyle changes, could cause atherosclerotic regression on angiogram. In short, severely furred arteries simply opened up again. This is important because atherosclerosis affects almost everyone raised on a standard high fat diet by young adulthood.
Less fat improves insulin sensitivity and the uptake of sugar into cells

This is really important for diabetics, because it can help reduce insulin requirements in Type 1, and resolves the underlying problem in Type 2, but it’s also good for athletes and everyone else to know too. Fat in the blood impairs the ability of cells to take up sugar in response to the hormone insulin. This is known as ‘insulin resistance’.
Eating a low fat diet increases the efficiency with which our cells take up glucose, which is the main evolutionary fuel-source for human beings. Think of glucose as high quality petrol, and fat as diesel. If you put both in your (petrol) car at once, it won’t work very well. Run your biological vehicle on the fuel it was designed for, and it will reward you with optimum performance.
Fruit is packed with beneficial plant nutrients that reduce cancer risk

The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) followed up over 500,000 people for over 30 years, and concluded that people who ate more fruit had lower incidences of cancers of the stomach, oesophagus, large intestine (colon and rectum), breast, prostate and lung.
Fruit and raw vegetables contain anti-inflammatory plant nutrients and antioxidants needed for the optimal functioning of the immune system. Our immune system fights invading bacteria and viruses, clears away unwanted fatty deposits in our arteries, and kills cancer cells in the very early stages of their development. This is why a raw or high raw plant-based diet helps us to stay well from coughs and colds, reverses heart disease AND helps prevent cancer.
Never fear! It's not only apples, oranges and bananas

A low fat, high raw, plant-based (LFHRPB), or fruit-based raw vegan diet, derives most of its calories from fruits and most of its minerals from vegetables, including root vegetables like carrots and beetroots, and plenty of greens like lettuce, spinach, parsley, kale, peas and broccoli.
When we talk about fruits, we mean botanical fruits, which are a particular seed-containing parts of the plant designed to nourish the seedling immediately after its germination. Fruits are often sub-divided into sweet, non-sweet, acid, sub-acid and fatty categories. The term ‘fruits’ includes things like cucumbers, tomatoes, courgettes, avocados and butternut squash.
Base your diet around fresh fruits and raw vegetables for best health

In 2014, Seyedrezazadeh, Moghaddam, and Ansarin et al. published their systematic review and meta-analysis of fruit and vegetable intake and risk of wheezing in asthma. They identified 42 studies published between January 1990 and July 2013. They reported a significant reduction in the risk of wheeze associated with high intakes of fruits and raw vegetables.
The authors reported that fruit consumption has a bigger effect than total (cooked and raw combined) vegetable consumption, but that raw vegetable consumption has a bigger effect than cooked vegetable consumption and a slightly bigger effect than fruit too.
Include a range of other things for variety and interest

The fruit-based raw vegan diet is joyful, colourful and bursting with flavour! Most people following this way of eating also include some nuts and seeds, and some people include things like sprouted grains and legumes, sweetcorn, fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut, seaweed, mushrooms, dried fruits, and a wide variety of fresh and dried herbs and spices including onions, garlic, ginger and turmeric.
The food can range from delicious mono-meals of fresh, ripe fruit, through to much more complex gourmet raw dishes and desserts, dehydrated foods, and juices, smoothies and nice-creams! Most people enjoy simple seasonal produce as much as possible, and keep the richer dishes for treats and special occasions :-)

Music: Building A Treehouse
Musician: As Tall As Pine (from Audiio)

Come to the land of the dragon…

2nd to 9th August 2026

Day tickets Saturday 8th August

Trigonos retreat centre, Nantlle

Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park

Go to FORMS, POLICIES AND AGREEMENTS

What people are saying

Eating a fruit based raw vegan diet has allowed me to do more of what I love in life, and be able to show up with more energy and joy. The longer I follow this path the more eternally greatful I am that it found me. And even more greatful for the beautiful souls I’ve met along the way! (Maisie)

I love going to fruit festivals and fruit retreats.

I love that I am challenged on a deep level to improve my health while surrounded by lovely happy people.

I love the interesting conversations and the lack of judgement. (Andrea)

A Low Fat High Raw diet has done wonders for my energy levels, mood, skin clarity and focus. It has eased digestive issues and left me feeling like I’m a teenager again.

I can’t wait to meet like- minded individuals at my first fruit festival. (Rob)

Meet the team…

Director. Founder and CEO of U-Turn Health. Children’s doctor (NHS).
Favourite animal is the guinea pig. Favourite fruit is the guava. Pisces.
Produce manager. Advisor. Organiser of the Dutch Fruit Festival.
Favourite animal is the falcon. Favourite fruit is the mango. Capricorn.
Festival manager. Front of house. Raw vegan coach with ‘Happy on Fruit’.
Favourite animal is the penguin. Favourite fruit is the papaya. Libra.
Chef. Also chef to the Dutch Fruit Festival. Teacher.
Favourite animal is the horse. Favourite fruit is the chempedak. Aquarius.
Social media and marketing manager. Energy healer at ‘Heal through Love’
Favourite animal is the cat. Favourite fruit is the mango. Libra.

U-Turn Health® (and the Welsh Fruit Festival) aspires towards sociocratic decision-making (also known as dynamic governance). This is characterised by a flattened hierarchy, decision-making by consent, and a governance structure based on circles.

If you would like to join the main Planning Circle, we have regular online Zoom events, and there are a number of roles that still need to be filled, including:

Site co-ordinator (grounds and camping field, including responsibility for safe camp fires)
Photographer/videographer
Children’s activities co-ordinator
Chef (to work with Tineke)

Please get in touch!

CONTACT

Mission and values

.The mission of the Welsh Fruit Festival is to provide a supportive, entertaining and informative central hub, around which the low fat, fruit-based raw and high raw vegan health community in the UK can grow and develop.

Whether you have a specific health problem you wish to address, you want to optimise your athletic performance, you want to plan some time out for rest and relaxation, or you simply want to learn (or learn more) about this way of eating and living while enjoying a fun holiday in the Welsh sunshine, there will be something here for you.

In line with the stated values of U-Turn Health®, the Welsh Fruit Festival has three core values:

The low fat, high raw, plant-based (aka fruit-based raw vegan) diet is biologically optimal for the health of human beings.
All people have agency and with support we can choose how far we want or need to go.
Our bodies are infinitely wise and if we listen to them, they will tell us what we need to know.

Go to U-TURN HEALTH

Additionally, U-Turn Health® and the Welsh Fruit Festival also have four brand values and four food values. The Welsh Fruit Festival seeks to:

Brand values

offer a competent, PROFESSIONAL service, as might be expected of any other health organisation.
operate as an ETHICAL business that seeks to reduce health and social inequalities, animal suffering and environmental degradation.
be fully INCLUSIVE in relation to all protected characteristics, as set out in the Equality Act 2010*.
provide evidence-based information and support suitable for a MAINSTREAM audience, thereby increasing benefit and reach.

*All ages, genders, ethnicities, sexualities and abilities are welcome, and there is one room at Trigonos with a wheelchair accessible bathroom.

Food values

help people move away from the idea of the fruit-based raw vegan diet as restrictive, and towards a sense of healthy abundance, by promoting a diet that is CALORICALLY ADEQUATE.
suggest that a fruit-based raw vegan diet should be APPROPRIATELY SUPPLEMENTED, and to engage in ongoing dialogue about what that means in the modern world without criticism or judgement.
develop our communal understanding about how the fruit-based raw vegan diet can be more CULTURALLY SENSITIVE, while retaining its particular health-promoting characteristics.
find and implement ways to make the fruit-based raw vegan diet more SUSTAINABLE, such as by incorporating more local and organic produce, reducing plastic and composting food waste.

What people are saying

We are both in our 80s and Barbara was diagnosed with high blood sugar in 2020 and did not want to go on medication so she saw a post on Facebook for a fruit festival, so why not give it a try.

Bingo got a result blood sugar under control, and have continued to be on this raw journey! (not quite there) with so many amazing supportive people even after the festival, on social media. (Barbara & Peter)

Going on the LFHRPB diet has given me my life back and turned back the clock 20 years.

I feel that the diet has given me back my dignity to live free from insomnia, joint pain and appalling low energy levels. I was on the verge of retiring from my busy job when I started the diet and am amazed that it should have made such difference. (Jenny, GP)

Being a raw vegan has taken me to the next level of health. Keep doing what you do: it’s helping so many people, including me. (Della: hula hooper, triple heart bypass survivor)

Frequently asked questions

Dylan is the Welsh Fruit Festival mascot! His favourite fruit is dragonfruit! He especially likes dragonfruit smoothies and dragonfruit nice-cream. He is very much hoping there will be some delicious dragonfruit to taste at the festival (which there probably will!).
He was named after the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who is especially famous for the lines: ‘Do not go gentle into that good night/Old age should burn and rave at close of day/Rage, rage against the dying of the light…
If enough people want to go, optional days out might include a visit to Caernarfon Castle, a trip on the Welsh Highland Railway steam train, Beddgelert and the Sygun copper mine, Zip World/Bounce Below, or a visit to Dinas Dinlle beach. In addition we are planning two group hikes: the ‘three lake hike’ in Cwm Idwal nature reserve, and Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). Please be aware that these may incur an additional charge for transport and any entry fees. We recommend choosing not more than two days out during the week to get the full benefit of the on-site programme of activities.
Yes we are planning an optional group hike up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh). The Ranger's path starts further up the Nantlle valley, or we may take the slightly easier Miner’s Track, which starts from the Pen-y-Pass car park. You should bring well-broken-in hiking boots with ankle support, and walking poles if you need these. Alternatively, there is a little train that goes from Llanberis to the top, where there is a cafe with toilets and lookout point.
Yes, the Welsh Fruit Festival is a family-friendly event for all ages. There will be a children's menu and a range of children's activities. However, parents and carers are asked to remain responsible for their children at all times.
Unfortunately the festival is not able to provide formal childcare, but you may be able to make informal arrangements with other attendees so you can enjoy some child-free time. If you do this, please make sure you offer the same to others in return.
Yes, everyone who wants to come and try this diet and lifestyle is welcome to come to the Welsh Fruit Festival. Please be aware that all the food will be vegan and we do ask you to be respectful of this and not to bring non-vegan food onto the premises, or talk about non-vegan food to other guests.
Yes, you do not have to be raw to attend the Welsh Fruit Festival. We welcome the raw-curious! However, please be aware that the food will be 100% raw, and some people can find an overnight transition hard on the digestive system. It is better to start practicing now! If you need help with this please head over to the FROOTEE Community where you can access ongoing support throughout the year.
Yes. Please purchase a volunteer ticket. The standard volunteer package will involve a minimum of four hours of work per day for five out of the seven days. Most of this will be in the kitchen. If you have other skills to offer, such as first aid or lifeguarding, or you would like to offer specific activities, please let the organisers know on your booking form.
Yes. You can buy a day ticket for Saturday 8th August 2026. You will be able to take part in all on-site festival activities between the hours of 7am and 10pm with this ticket. This ticket is inclusive of all food.
Wild swimming is permitted in the lake, but is at your own risk and you will need to sign a disclaimer to this effect. We do ask that you don't swim alone. If there is enough interest we may arrange for a formal wild swimming session with an instructor. If you have lifeguarding skills you are willing to offer please let the organisers know on your booking form.
Suggested items you might like to bring include:
Yoga mat and blanket.
Your favourite chef’s knife and a small chopping board, if you prefer your fruit cut up.
A selection of containers with lids if you want to save some food for later.
Two bottles: one for water and one for smoothies.
Well broken-in walking boots.
Walking poles.
A warm fleece (yes, even in August!).
A raincoat (yes, even in August!).
Yaoh sun cream is nice if you do that (e.g. if you plan on spending six hours on the side of a mountain in the midday August sun…??).
A swimming costume, maybe a wetsuit, and shoes for walking into stony lakes.
All your best fruity gear… hats, shorts, shirts, dresses…!!! We are here to celebrate fruit :-D
Unfortunately only assistance and guide dogs are allowed on the Trigonos site. If you plan to bring an assistance or guide dog please let the organisers know on your booking form.
As much food as possible will be organic and locally sourced, and some of it may even have been grown at Trigonos itself! However it is not realistic to think that all of the produce will be able to be sourced organically. There is likely to be a mixture of organic and non-organic.
Full refunds are available for 14 days after purchase. After this a 50% refund is available until after the next instalment date. Instalment dates are 1st February and 1st May 2026. Payments are non-refundable after the next instalment date has passed, but can be transferred to another attendee or carried over to 2027.
Yes. Please email: hello@welshfruitfestival.com
Yes, you can pay in three instalments. The first instalment (deposit) is due with your booking form and secures your place at the current rate. The second instalment is due on or before 1st February 2026. The third instalment is due on or before 1st May 2026. Please email: hello@welshfruitfestival.com
Yes, there will be a late booking charge incurred for any bookings made after 1st May 2026, so we recommend booking well in advance (and frankly, it also really helps us with our event planning to know who is coming, so please… JF DO IT NOW!!!).
Yes, please see the Forms, Policies and Agreements section below.
Yes, please see the Forms, Policies and Agreements section below.
The organisers of the Welsh Fruit Festival are English speakers, with only rudimentary Welsh. Therefore the festival will be primarily an English-speaking event. However, we would love to welcome any native Welsh speakers, and are open to finding ways to make the event more inclusive in the future. Please let the organisers know if you have Welsh language skills you would like to offer.
Yes. While we will of course do our best to ensure the safety of everyone who attends the Welsh Fruit Festival, Trigonos/U-Turn Health are not able to accept legal responsibility for any injuries or death resulting from your engagement with any outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, camp fires or wild swimming. You will need to sign a disclaimer to accept responsibility for your own safety during these activities.
Unfortunately all the on-site places for camper vans are already taken. You may be able to park your caravan or camper at the Talymignedd campsite, which is one mile up the road. Please purchase an off-site ticket and arrange this directly with Talymignedd.
Yes. You can purchase an off-site ticket and arrange your own accommodation. There are local Air BnBs in Nantlle. There is the Talymignedd campsite one mile up the road. You will need a car if you want to stay further afield, but there is a wealth of accommodation options in the National Park.
The festival will start at 4pm on Sunday the 2nd August 2026.
Trigonos ask that you please leave your rooms by 09:30 on departure day.
The bus to Bangor Station will leave at 11am.
All other attendees will need to have left the Trigonos site by 3pm.
The postcode is LL54 6BW.
However, there is limited parking on-site, so you need to purchase a parking ticket if you want to travel by car. Ideally these tickets should be for people with mobility issues, or who are coming with children and/or large amounts of luggage or equipment.
If you can travel by public transport, please do. The best option is to take a train to Bangor station, and then to book a place on the bus. Please don’t book your train until after the bus time has been confirmed. It is easy to book trains up to the day of travel, and they run frequently.
Alternatively, you can take the Arriva 5C (frequent) bus from Bangor station to Caernarfon and then the Gwynfor G4 (only four buses per day, so please check times in advance) to Nantlle.
Trains are frequent and run to Bangor from London Euston, Cardiff Central, Birmingham New Street and Manchester Piccadilly.
The nearest airports are Liverpool and Manchester. You can easily get to Bangor by train from either of these.
Telephone: 01286 882 388
Email: info@trigonos.org
Trigonos, Plas Baladeulyn
Nantlle, Caernarfon
Wales, LL54 6BW
You can access the online booking form and the Information Sheet and Terms and Conditions from the Forms, Policies and Agreements section below.
Alternatively, please email hello@welshfruitfestival and we will send you a copy.