Set in the beautiful grounds of Pylewell Park, close to the harbour town of Lymington on the Hampshire coast, Curious Arts Festival is fast gathering a reputation as one of the most intriguing dates in the British cultural calendar.
As the festival's media partner, The Week is offering readers a 15 per cent discount on weekend tickets to the eclectic celebration of literature, music, comedy, film and the visuals arts.
Click here to book (entering the code 'curiousfriend2016' when prompted)
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Selected last year by the BBC as one of 'eight extraordinary festivals', the line-up includes a formidable cast of literary talent ranging from the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy to Booker prize-winner DBC Pierre and author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel novels, Deborah Moggach to former spy-chief and thriller writer Stella Rimington.
Laughter abounds in the late afternoon as stand-up comedians take to the stage with their whimsical and intellectual observational musings. The bill this year includes, Chris Martin, Zoe Lyons, Lloyd Griffith, Simon Evans and improv troupe, the Noise Next Door.
Evenings will feature an array of musical acts from the up-and-coming to the well established, with this year's line-up including Billy Bragg, Lucy Rose, Skinny Lister, Jake Isaac and Matt Maltese as well as boogie woogie piano from Ben Waters, regarded by Jools Holland as one of his top ten favourite pianists of all time.
The festival will also feature a 'sonnet-a-thon' led by celebrated playwright Polly Stenham, life drawing, snail racing, poetry workshops, insect walks, jabberwocky hunts, garden tours, an authors' XI cricket match, a wellbeing centre, yoga, bedtime stories and a film tent.
The Curious Arts Festival kicks-off with an operatic performance on the Thursday evening, supported by a 30-strong choir.
Go to www.curiousartsfestival.com for more information on the line-up, oddities, camping, glamping and to buy tickets.
Take advantage of our special 15 per cent discount on weekend tickets (full price £120. Day tickets also available). Simply use the code 'curiousfriend2016' when booking.
The Curious Arts Festival runs from 21 to 24 July
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