IT'S the boutique festival which promises high jinks for the high-minded in the stunning grounds of a New Forest country home.

Curious Arts Festival returns to Pylewell Park near Lymington this weekend with a host of prize winning authors, comedy talent and music legends.

Now in its third year, the extraordinary festival has a line up which includes a formidable list of literary talent.There's everything from the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy to Booker prize-winner DBC Pierre and author of The Best Exotic Marigold novels Deborah Moggach to former spy chief and thriller writer extraordinaire Stella Rimington.

There are lots of laughs on the comedy line-up from improv troupe The Noise Next Door, as well as the likes of Zoe Lyons and Simon Evans.

An array of acts from international stars to the up and coming feature on the music bill. Enjoy boogie woogie piano from Ben Waters, alongside established acts including Billy Bragg, Lucy Rose and Skinny Lister.

The quirky festival also features snail racing, jabberwocky hunts and yoga.

Celebrated playwright Polly Stenham is set to launch a sonnet-a-thon to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and kids will enjoy the bedtime stories by leading authors.

The Curious Arts Festival kicked off last night with an operatic performance by a 30-strong choir.

The main event will get under way today with an authors XI cricket match.

Limited day and weekend tickets for the event, which continues until Sunday, are available at curiousartsfestival.com