Art at Secret Garden Party

What began as an intimate independent art and music festival on the grounds of a private Georgian townhouse has, since its 2004 inception, transformed into a very different beast. But despite an explosion in popularity, Secret Garden Party's now 26,000-strong festival in the depths of Cambridgeshire still retains an intimate, boutique feel.

Unlike its yuppie older sister, Wilderness, Secret Garden Party attracts a youngish crowd with a penchant for youthful revelry. And, where Wilderness champions the best of the UK's culinary scene (as well as a consistently high-profile music line-up), the Secret Garden hails all things artistic. Visually then, it's an incredibly impressive affair. Stumbling through a tiny door in In 2014 led you to a field teeming with huge Sunflowers. Venture through the ‘Rabbit Hole’ and you'd find yourself in a vast dreamily lit woodland sanctuary. The Wizard of Oz's 'Emerald City' was seen illuminated on a floating lake pagoda.

This year proves to be no different, with the colloquially named SGP bringing installations from bigger names in visual arts as well supporting smaller, more local artists. From large permanent structures to smaller temporary installations, the theme for 2016 is ‘A Gardener’s Guide To The Galaxy’ – special light installations will be dotted around the venue, plus an intriguingly named ‘Time Tunnel’ – a series of modulated square arches slightly shifting in size and clad in mirror, through which festival goers can wander.

We’re particularly intrigued by the sound of Edoardo Tresoldi’s sculptures – woven structures depicting frozen moments in time that, we're told, have the feel of a three dimensional festival. And of course, there's a sizeable music line-up: from Primal Scream to Lissie, plus up-and-coming female singer songwriters like Shura and Rae Morris, there's plenty on offer besides the art. So kick back, don your glitziest festival gear and revisit your inner child – rest assured, it's an experience you won't forget in a hurry.

Click here to book tickets. See this year's line up here.