THE Curious Arts Festival has announced new additions to the packed programme of events July 22-24 at Pylewell Park in the New Forest .

Michel Faber, author of the highly acclaimed novel The Crimson and The White prize-winning Zimbawean novelist, Petina Gappah (The Book of Memory) join prize winners and best sellers Deborah Moggach (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), SJ Watson (Before I Go to Sleep, Second Life), Stephen Kelman (Pigeon English), Andrea Wulf, Simon Toyne, Piers Torday, Louisa Young, DBC Pierre, Meg Rossoff, Max Porter, Gerad Kite, Andrew Miller, Jill Dawson.

History writer and indefatigable champion of trees Thomas Pakenham and British Army veteran Harry Parker will also be bringing their illuminating perspectives to the programme along with countercultural hero and original manager of The Ramones, Danny Fields, who will talk candidly about his extraordinary life in music.

On the music stage, hotly tipped Paloma Faith support Jake Isaac is confirmed along with the smokey soul-drenched folk of newcomer Willow Robinson and the eclectic sounds of Jackson Scott.

Other festival highlights include:

Performances by literary icon Carol Ann Duffy including a special children’s event, Billy Bragg on the music stage on the Saturday night.

A weekend-long Sonnet-a-thon launched by playwright Polly Stenham to mark the 400 year anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

Music from Bombay Bicycle Club vocalist Lucy Rose, HMS Sweet Charity, Gus Robertson (lead guitarist for Razorlight) and a programme of talent from Communion Music (founded by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons and Kevin Jones of Bear’s Den).

Comedy from TV stars Simon Evans, Zoe Lyons, Lucy Porter and Justin Edwards, plus children’s and teen favourite James Campbell, lightening-quick sketch group The Noise Next Door, whimiscal Chris Martin, rave reviewed Lloyd Griffiths and outstanding young comic Tom Lucy.

Adult tickets are £120 for the weekend with day and evening tickets available. Children 13 and under free of charge.

www.curiousartsfestival.com