THE CREAM of world music descends on an unlikely corner of Wiltshire this month, for one of the loveliest festivals of the summer.

From July 25 to 27 the scenic grounds of Charlton Park, Malmesbury, will be transformed into a global village of music, dance, fun and relaxation.

Since its inception, 26 years ago, the World of Music and Dance Festival - or WOMAD - has become the yardstick by which other quality festivals are measured.

It is at once safe, well run, and family-friendly, while remaining ultra-cool, and with a line-up like none other.

Forget generic guitar bands full of look-alike spotty kids in tight black jeans. This is a real music-lovers festival, with the artists to match.

While even a cursory glance at the line-up will reveal a clutch of big name stars, this is a festival fo the adventurous, with scores of names you are unlikely to have ever heard of... but who are likely to become your all-time favourites.

So gracing the site are the likes of Martha Wainwright, Shane McGowan and Squeeze.

They will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Cambodia's Dengue Fever, Israel's Mor Kabasi, Algeria's Hamid Baroudi, and Brazilian carnival giants Monobloco.

And, for those who like to mix it up on the dancefloor, the beats of reggae star Lee 'Scratch' Perry, and drum and bass legends DJ Marky and Roni Size and UK roots/dance fusionists Transglobal Underground ... reminding us that world music is not all nose flutes, bongos and bagpipes... and that even southern England has a rich seam of world music to be proud of.

Festival figurehead Peter Gabriel re-affirms WOMAD's desire to encourage families to come to the festival: "From the outset when we started in 1980 we really wanted to include kids, so part of the aim for WOMAD was to introduce a lot of music.

"If we can teach them about some of the joys of the world then it's a wonderful thing.

"It's like with food. If you don't let them eat different things, they won't like things that are strange and foreign!"

TALKING Returning to WOMAD this year are the In Conversation Sessions - which give you an opportunity to learn more about some of the artists at WOMAD, who will be chatting informally with their host about their lives and their music.

EATING Eating your way around the world at WOMAD's famous Global Village is definitely a priority at the festival, and this year there are some new eateries and drinkeries to check out including: the Hurly Burly Cabaret Cafe, showcasing some weird and wacky performers; San Fran's Disco Cocktail Bar where you can sip a well-mixed mojito in a comfy chair; and the Real Ale Bar showcasing some lovely local brews.

RELAXING As well as all the amazing activities available at Charlton Park this year, the organisers have including a little calmness among the dizzying array of entertainment. In the leafy arboretum, the World Of Wellbeing will be offering twice-daily Qi Gong sessions, outdoor yoga, an English tea garden and a sushi restaurant located in a Mongolian yurt. Paradise indeed!

The de-stressing continues in the WOMAD Spa - an area of unapologetic luxury where you can rest, shower and chill; use make-up mirrors, hairdryers and fluffy towels, and choose from a selection of luxury treatments. You can even get your hair done!

TICKETS Weekend Tickets are £125, or £100 for ES40 claimants, students, over 60s & 14-17 year olds Disabled two-for-one tickets are £100 Sunday day tickets are £50 Kids tickets: Two children aged 13 and under can come FREE with each adult ticket holder BOOKING DETAILS: Online: www.WOMADshop.com & www.WOMAD.org/charltonpark Phone: 0845 146 1735 (lines open Mon-Fri from 10am-3pm for credit/debit card bookings) LINE-UP IN FULL: Abass Dudu (Ghana) - Adrian Sherwood (UK) - AltaiKAI (Altai Republic) - Andrew Cronshaw (UK/Armenia/Serbia) - Asif Ali Khan (Pakistan) - Atongo Zimba (Ghana) - Babylon Circus (France) - Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba (Mali) - Bedouin Jerry Can Band (Egypt) - Bella Hardy (UK) - Billy Cobham & Asere (USA/Cuba) - Cara Dillon (Ireland) - Charlie Gillett (UK) - Chic (USA) - Children Of The Khmer, Cambodian Dance (Cambodia) - David D'Or (Israel) - Dengue Fever (USA/Cambodia) - Devon Sproule (USA) - Dixey Ruscelli (Spain) - DJ Dubious (UK) - DJ Marky & Stamina MC (Brazil/UK) - Eddy Grant & The Frontline Orchestra (Guyana/South Africa) - Ernest Ranglin (Jamaica) - Finley Quaye (UK) - Fribo (Norway/UK) - GOCOO + GoRo (Japan) - Greg Sheehan (Australia) - Guy Watson (UK) - Hamid Baroudi (Algeria) - Hossam Ramzy & His Egyptian Orchestra (Egypt) - Hotel Palindrome (Austria) - Iya Sako & Nansady Keita (Guinea) - Jah Wobble, Chinese Dub (UK/China) - Joe Taylor (UK) - Johnny Kalsi (India/UK) - Jose Ferrera (Cuba) - Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara (UK/Gambia) - Kenge Kenge Orutu Systems (Kenya) - Kora (New Zealand) - Lee 'Scratch' Perry (Jamaica) - Lisa Kenny (UK) - Little Axe (USA) - Little Feat (USA) - Madosini (South Africa) - Malam Mamane Barka (Niger) - Mamani Keita & Nicolas Repac (Mali/France) - Marino Pool (Dominican Republic) - Mark Alcock (Japan) - Martha Wainwright (Canada) - Mavis Staples (USA) - Mbira Queens feat. Zuzana Novak (UK/Czech Republic) - Mista Savona (Australia/Jamaica) - Modou Diouf (Senegal) - Mog (Ireland) - Monajat Yulchieva (Uzbekistan) - Monobloco (Brazil) - Mor Karbasi (Israel) - Orchestra Baobab (Senegal) - Paprika Balkanicus (Romania/Serbia/Slovenia) - Rachid Taha (Algeria) - Roni Size Reprazent (UK) - Rumberos De Cuba (Cuba) - Sa Dingding (China) - Sarah Savoy & The Francadians (USA/France) - Sarmistha Guha (India) - Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 (Nigera) - Shantel & Bucovina Club Orkestar (Germany) - Sharon Shannon Big Band feat Shane MacGowan, Damien Dempsey and Mundy (Ireland) - Sheikh Taha (Egypt) - Show Of Hands with Miranda Sykes (UK) - Simone White (USA) - Siyaya (Zimbabwe) - Son De La Frontera (Spain) - Speed Caravan (Algeria/France) - Squeeze (UK) - Sudd MM (Sicily) - Svetlana Spajiá with Andrew Cronshaw (Serbia/UK) - Tashi Lhunpo Monks (Tibet/India) - TC (UK) - Terakaft (Mali) - Toumani Diabate (Mali) - Transglobal Underground (UK) - Venuri Perera (Sri Lanka) - Yescica Livesey (Cuba)