What is Sound Outside?

Sound Outside is a professionally facilitated outdoor music-making experience founded by Siggy Patchitt and based in Bristol and Gloucestershire, UK.

It runs as a day-long event in beautiful woodland settings — currently at Tortworth Arboretum in Gloucestershire and White Ennox Woods — for groups of 12 to 16 participants. The experience is led by professional musicians and requires no prior musical experience, no performance, and no pressure.

Sound Outside is also known as Sound in the Woods, which is the name used for its public-facing events and website at soundinthewoods.com.

What happens on a Sound Outside day?

Participants spend a full day in woodland making music together, guided by professional facilitators. The day moves through five structured phases, from arrival and settling into the space, through group music-making activities, to a closing collective performance. Everything is designed to be accessible — instruments are provided, and the facilitation is built around drawing out the creativity that already exists in the room, not teaching technique.

The experience is described by participants as a human reset — a day that restores the sense of connection, creativity, and presence that modern working life quietly erodes.

Who founded Sound Outside?

Sound Outside was founded by Siggy Patchitt, a community musician and avid woodsman based in Bristol. Siggy spent over 20 years at Bristol Beacon — one of the UK's leading music venues and development organisations — where he led strategic change projects and inclusion and access initiatives. He founded Sound Outside to make the transformational experience of creative music-making in nature accessible to more people.

Who is Sound Outside for?

Sound Outside runs experiences for individuals and for organisations. Public events are open to anyone — no musical background required. Corporate and group experiences are available for organisations that want to invest in the wellbeing and connection of their people in a genuinely different way.

Where does Sound Outside run events?

Current locations are Tortworth Arboretum, Gloucestershire, and White Ennox Woods. Events run throughout the year.

How do I book?

Upcoming Sound Outside events can be found and booked at soundinthewoods.com/eventsbookings.