THE organisers of one of the country’s best-loved boutique music festivals today revealed the line-up for what they predict will be their best event yet.

Wilderness will take place for the third year running in August, at Cornbury Park, near Charlbury.

And for the first time it will be spread over four days.

Headlining will be Australian electronic music duo Empire of the Sun, folk-pop outfit Noah and the Whale, and American folk artist Sixto Díaz Rodríguez.

Organiser Tim Harvey said: “This will be the best festival that any of us will have ever produced.

“There’s a very strong curatorial theme that runs through all the bookings. We have hand-picked artists that will complement the huge array of experiences we are placing into the landscape this year.

“It will knit together to take festival-goers on a journey across the weekend which will be truly special.”

Seventy-year-old Detroit artist Rodríguez is a musical legend, having initially recorded in the 1970s, then disappearing before seeing his career revived by fans. A film based on his life, Searching for Sugar Man, last night won an Oscar.

Music also comes from Brit award-winner Tom Odell, soul artist Michael Kiwanuka, 23-year-old indie-folk musician Lucy Rose, Australian singer-songwriter Matt Corby, Tribes, Ghostpoet, Eliza and the Bear, King Krule, Melody's Echo Chamber, and the London Folk Guild.

More acts are yet to be announced for the gathering, which last year attracted 10,000 people.

As well as music there will be fancy dress balls and late-night parties in the woods, a roller-disco, wild swimming, horse riding and a lakeside spa with hot tubs.

The emphasis on fine dining continues, with tented banquets prepared by top chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Russell Norman.

There will be drama from visiting theatre troupes, including Shakespeare’s Globe and the Unicorn Theatre, and craft workshops for those who prefer to learn new skills.

Talks will be hosted by The Huffington Post, School of Life, Intelligence Squared, Royal Observatory and The Idler.

Lady Rotherwick hosts the festival in the grounds of her stately home.

She said: “I am so excited. The line-up is great, but Wilderness has always been about more than music, with wholesome pursuits in a nice setting to fire people’s imaginations.

“Increasingly, people are jaded by other festivals, but we are still evolving and have the most extraordinary festival offering.

“And this year we will have a four-day festival, with everything open on Thursday afternoon, except the main stage, making it even better value.”

  • Wilderness takes place at Cornbury Park, from August 9 to August 11.
  • Weekend Tickets are £139 (plus booking fee); family weekend Ttckets: £335; Children aged 10 and under go free.
  • Go to wildernessfestival.com