THE otherworldly arts and music-oriented woodland arena returns to Kendal Calling this summer, having been a huge hit in its inaugural year in 2015.

The mysterious Lost Eden woodlands will come alive again with newly-commissioned sculptures, performance art, talks, pop up cinema, virtual reality and much more, when Cumbria's biggest music festival returns, from July 28 to 31.

Celebrating art at the core of its principles, this year's offering includes a gigantic, illuminated spider by The Lantern Company, that will scare and thrill in equal measure, while arachnophobes may prefer an encounter with the Mechanical Heart of the Forest. This hallmark commission is presented by the acclaimed artist Felicity Jones, who has created incredible sculptures for Glastonbury and Burning Man. 

Festival-goers can converse with Eden – literally – by picking up a strategically placed phone and speaking with an enormous, projected head. These conversations will be incorporated into a completely unique and unforgettable installation by Howard Ashley Storey. 

By day, the Carvetti Stage will deliver stimulating talks, music and performance, while John Pearson’s live art will offer an extension of last year’s fantastic illustrations that are not to be missed.

Digital piece The Hive offers the chance, through virtual reality technology, to explore the Lakes through the eyes of the birds. After dark, Lost Eden will light up with gigantic, glowing insects and fiery spectaculars. After 8pm, you will find the shimmering and newly-launched Lost Disco, a DJ booth inside a giant disco ball, as well as bespoke neon sculptures and fiery spectaculars. 

Other special features include Brandon Ballengee, who will be bringing his Love Motel for Insects, and Anna Mulhearn’s Cabin – which is built by the winner of the 2015 Shed of the Year on the Channel 4 programme, Amazing Spaces. 

The music line-up has also been completed for the Lost Eden woodlands arena, with Kag Katumba, Soul Swing, Act.Natural, Kerouac, Symetrik, TwoGood, Olsen, Kahwe, House of Wax, Carl Tait, Justkeys, Ki Creighton, Matt Robinson, and Mike Barty appearing at the Lost Disco.

Over on The Carvetti Stage, Post War Glamour Girls, Barry Hyde, The Hey Down Treaders, MYE MI, Tom Peel, Rory Connor, LIVI, Beachmaster, Parade Close, Jake Houlsby, Dansi, and Pop-up Puppet Cinema will be appearing across the four-day event, 

Lost Eden is supported by the Arts Council England and produced in partnership with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.

Kendal Calling takes place at Lowther Deer Park, near Penrith, from July 28 to 31, 2016.