Swindon's own Jamie Cullum is cream of the crop at this year's Larmer Tree Festival.

Jamie will be headlining at the festival set on the Wiltshire and Dorset border in Victorian gardens of Cranborne Chase, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Organisers are thrilled to announce the first of their headline acts across the music, poetry and spoken word stages.

Taking to the Main Stage, alongside Jamie are Clean Bandit, Caro Emerald and Calexico, with supporting acts Afro Celt Sound System, Jack Savoretti and Chippenham singer/songwriter Gabrielle Aplin.

Dr John Cooper Clarke will be headlining the spoken word line up, on the ARC stage performing his rapid-fire punk poetry.

Rob Challice, the festival director, said: "We're really pleased to be sharing this line up announcement, with musicians and bands Clean Bandit, Jamie Cullum, Caro Emerald and Calexico topping the bill. This also includes our spoken word headliner, Dr John Cooper Clarke.

"It heralds an extremely exciting programme and is a sign of good things to come for the 2016 festival."

Larmer Tree is renown for presenting the adventurous, the absorbing and the unforgettable, and thisyear sports an all-new programme of music, comedy, theatre, poetry and more across five days  from July 13 to 17.

It is the quintessential English party; an intimate and eccentric festival perfect for first-timers and experienced festival-goers alike.

Each of the stages are carefully curated by the Larmer Tree team, combining established favourites with up and coming newcomers.

The Line up:

Clean Bandit | Jamie Cullum | Caro Emerald | Calexico Afro Celt Sound System | Jack Savoretti | Gabrielle Aplin Frazey Ford | Treacherous Orchestra | Lau Natty | Melt Yourself Down | Ethan Johns & The Black Eyed Dogs Martin Simpson and Don Flemons | This Is The Kit | Jane Weaver Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band | Hillbenders | Edward II | Lanterns on the Lake Wave Pictures | Lady Maisery Rozi Plain | Cristobal and the Sea | Sound of the Sirens | Wildwood Kin | Fenne Lily Cosmo Sheldrake | The Drink | The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band | Urban Pioneers | TomQ Plus poetry and spoken word headliner: Dr John Cooper Clarke Music With five stages and over 80 acts, music forms a major part of the festival bill. The much anticipated 2016 line-up will see Jamie Cullum and Jack Savoretti, already announced, joined by further headline acts Clean Bandit, Calexico and Caro Emerald taking to the main stage across the five-day festival.

Plus, Gabrielle Aplin, Afro Celt Sound System and more just announced, with many acts still to come.

Launching in 2016 is The Chase, a stage championing the best in new music, showcasing artists such as This is the Kit and Rozi Plain. 

For those looking to extend the party into the night, last year’s new late-night venue The Hide is back by popular demand. Tucked into a clearing in the woods with the Shepherd’s Hut bar close to hand, The Hide will host top-notch DJs from Friday to Sunday, for a fantastical all-night dance party.

Nightowls will also find diversion at The Social, enjoying high-energy live music and dynamic DJs, with a late-opening bar ready to quench the thirst of the hardiest of dancers.

Comedy Larmer Tree has seen some amazing acts grace the ARC stage, with big names such as Ed Byrne, Lee Nelson, Abandoman and Alex Horne and the Horn Section appearing at the festival in previous years.

New for 2016, the festival will be showcasing previews from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. With the 2016 headline acts still to be announced, Larmer’s late night comedy club will have festival-goers clutching their sides all night long.

Roaming street theatre will captivate festival-goers at every corner of the site. From an impromtu dance-party in the poshest portaloo to a troupe of mime artists in the Flag Circle, keep your eyes peeled.

For an array of one-off shows, talks and screenings those in the know can pop into the Pavilion, an indoor theatre space set in the heart of the gardens, for an array of talks and screenings, with further talks popping up across the festival site.

Larmer Tree’s poetry and spoken word headliner is Dr John Cooper Clarke, who will be taking to the ARC stage. An original, performance ‘punk poet’, Clarke has toured with punk and reggae legends including the Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello and Joy Division, with his characteristic set of lively, rapid-fire, acappella poetry.

For a further dose of literary happenings, slip away from the music on the Main Lawn and visit the Lostwood, a haven of winding paths and sun-dappled glades perfect for mysterious gatherings.

Visitors to the Lostwood Stage will find themselves immersed in spoken word; from poetry readings Family Festivaling For the very first time, all children’s tickets for under 10s are free, with prices for youth tickets frozen across all tiers.

Fun for little Larmers comes inthe formn of workshops, puppetry, theatre, disco and more, the festival caters for all ages. The dedicated Family Lawns provide a welcoming hub for families, but children will find acres of fun to be had across the whole festival site.

The festival is pleased to have Odstock Day Nursery returning as a partner for 2016, taking over The Nest for under 5s and providing sensory play and fun for all.

Workshops and Experiences Larmer Tree gives festival-goers the chance to tap into a wealth of creativity and artistry. With a broad range of adult workshops from dance classes to arts and craft sessions and morning yoga.

For a more ‘zen’ experience, festival-goers can immerse themselves in the tranquility of the Secret Garden and The Retreat, returning this year with a soothing array of therapies from massage to mindfulness and workshops from holistic parenting to laughter yoga.

Promising to tickle your taste-buds and fuel your festival antics, the food and drink at Larmer Tree is hand-picked from hearty festival fare to cooling ice creams and refreshing cider.

 Organiser are pleased to welcome back the daily Songlines signings with an opportunity to get up close and personal with many of the performers and artists after their sets. Extra-lucky festival-goers may also find themselves listening to a private gig in the festival’s garden shed as Songs from the Shed will be recording sessions throughout the five days.

Fancy-dress fans will have an opportunity to try out their costume-making skills for Dress-up Saturday to join in the returning Larmer Tree ceremony, a 25th anniversary installation, the Carnival parade on Sunday and of course one or two pop up surprises like 2015’s party door and singing postbox.

Tickets are on sale now visit www.larmertreefestival.co.uk

From tiny acorns The Larmer Tree grew

The festival was founded in 1990 by James Shepherd with an eager audience of just 150 people. Now, 26 years later, the festival is still run by a small team, based within the local community, and remains small by choice, continuing to offer that unique, party experience, now enjoyed by up to 4000 revellers a day.

James has been joined by Julia Safe and Rob Challice - who came on board in 1993 and 2014 respectively.