IT prides itself on being "The UK’s most illuminating and eclectic boutique festival" and now The Curious Arts Festival has announced its key headliners and attractions to this summer’s showcase.

Returning for a fourth year in the glorious grounds of Pylewell Park, in the New Forest, July 21-23, highlights include: writer, film-maker and publisher Dave Eggers; singer songwriters Tom Odell and Izzy Bizu; the People’s Poet Lemn Sissay; foremost chronicler of our emotional lives, Joanna Trollope and Mock The Week’s hilarious Ed Byrne.

Renowned for attracting the cream of UK and international literary talent and offering a glittering array of the cultural, creative and curious including comedy, music, a packed children’s programme, midnight bat walks, life drawing, cocktail masterclasses, snail racing, poetry workshops, pop up fine dining and even an opera and a cricket match, this is certainly a highly eclectic event for all ages.

Apart from music headliners Tom Odell, and Brit Critics Choice Award winner Izzy Bizu, A&R man turned novelist, John Niven, will be taking to the stage with his new band featuring some extraordinary special guests, to be announced shortly.

The Solent-side music stages will also feature electro-soul act Seramic, Ibibio Sound Machine who blend Nigerian pop and British electronica, Icelandic musician Junius Meyvant, Brighton talent Martha Gunn, Time Out Rising Star Alex Francis with his emotive blend of rock and soul, hotly tipped Jordan Mackampa, 21-year old Irish singer songwriter Aine Cahill and dreamlike pop from Benedict Benjamin.

This year's outstanding literary line up features multi award-winning American author, commentator, writer and editor Dave Eggers; extraordinary poet Lemm Sissay; Matt Haig, (Reasons To Stay Alive, A Boy Called Christmas) on new book out in July called How To Stop Time; Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction winner Eimear McBride (A Girl Is a Half Formed Thing) on her new novel The Bohemians, and James Stourton who will be discussing his book Kenneth Clark, Life, Art and Civilisation.

Also announced is internationally acclaimed British Indian novelist Hari Kunzru on his latest work White Tears; psychotherapist Phillippa Perry; Peter Dunne (The Fifty Things:Lessons For When You Feel Lost), Ross Raisin, American novelist; journalist and art critic Katie Kitamura (A Separation), Jess Kidd (Himself), Andrew O'Hagan (The Secret Life), Keggy Carew (Dadland) and Chelsea Flower Show winning gardeners to the aristocracy and Prince Charles Julian and Isabel Bannerman.

Comedy, curated by Curious Comedy host and Radio 4 regular Simon Evans, includes TV stars Ed Byrne and Paul Tonkinson; children’s favourite Howard Read; lightening-quick sketch group The Noise Next Door; the insanely talented Nat Luurtsema, and accomplished comedian, jazz singer and actor Charlie Baker. George Egg will be cooking up a three-course meal on hotel equipment in his comedy show Anarchist Cook; Daphna Baram will be exploring the world of alternative facts, and expect long words and beautiful linguistic flourishes from Ivo Graham.

Children's events will include Breath of Life Puppetry workshops; a Jabberwocky Hunt; Ella Berthoud will be offering Story Cures for children and their families, and there will be a series of events with The Week Junior.

Tickets are now on sale at www.curiousartsfestival.com