"We've gathered together some of the most eclectic and glamorous writers, artists and musicians in the country to create a unique experience in one of the most beautiful gardens in the country," says co-curator, Clare Conville.
"There are more than 70 performances and events to enjoy, everything from fascinating talks by contemporary writers like Lady Antonia Fraser, Fay Weldon, DBC Pierre and Dan Snow to musicians including Ed Harcourt and Nick Mulvey, performance artist Ed Strange, sculptor Gavin Turk, to name but a few. Then there are pop-up events throughout the week-end as well as physiotherapy, life drawing and a Jabberwocky Hunt for children."
![Copyright Sarah Lee - Faber novelist D.B.C. Pierre [NO EMBARGO!!]](https://arabiantents.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/DBC-Pierre.jpg)
Copyright Sarah Lee - Faber novelist D.B.C. Pierre [NO EMBARGO!!]
Other family-friendly events include insect walks, magic shows, donkey rides, film screenings, fair ground games as well as the opportunity to meet and hear from an array of writers for children including Piers Torday, Damian Dibben and Rob Lloyd-Jones. "Just about the only things we won't be having are face-painting and bouncy castles!" adds Clare.
One of the other big draws is the location itself. "Pylewell Park is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen," continues Clare. "It's a private house owned by the Hon David and Melanie Roper-Curzon and has the most incredible views over the Solent with a hundred acres of pleasure gardens and a fifteen-acre lake."
If you want an expert guide, sign up for a garden walk with Michael Roper-Curzon, gardener and plantsman at Pylewell or Wade Graham, LA gardener and garden historian. For film buffs, the Curtis Brown Film Tent will be screening a selection of contemporary and classic movies from Horror of Dracula to Lemony Snickett as well as some very special events introduced by the likes of Hossein Amini and James Bobin.
Curious Arts is expected to attract around 1500 people for the three days of the festival and camping is included in the ticket price. There are also glamping options or you can bring your own camper van. The sheer range of music, books, films, children's entertainment, theatrical performances and eclectic happenings on offer means that the festival will certainly be one of the most unusual and imaginative events of the summer and one which The Arabian Tent Company is proud to be a part.
To enter our competition to win a pair of day tickets to the festival visit our Facebook page!