PURBECK Valley Folk Festival returns this summer with a line-up featuring some of the most exciting acts from across the globe.

The festival takes place between August 15 and 18 at Purbeck Valley Farm off the A351 between Corfe Castle and Harman’s Cross.

Multi-award-winning and critically acclaimed Seckou Keita headlines the Friday evening of the festival.

The Senegalese artist's renowned kora (a West African stringed instrument) playing saw him win musician of the year at the BBC Folk Awards in 2019.

Saturday will see Irish folk legends Kíla take centre stage.

The band, first formed in 1987, has worked with some of their home country's finest acts, such as U2 and Sinéad O’Connor.

TikTok sensations The Longest Johns will bring the festival to a close with their distinctive sea shanties.

Also on the musical line-up are Italian sisters Chiara and Sara Cesano in Duea, Icelandic powerhouse guitarist Bragi Olafsson and his band Jajea, 

American roots maestros Dirk and Amelia Powell, and the primal rhythms and furious jigs of Dublin’s Kila.

Hidden gems can also be found throughout the line-up across the weekend, such as the hugely influential John Smith, who has toured with the likes of David Gray and Jools Holland.

Purbeck Rising will also offer several undiscovered artists a chance to showcase their talents to a wider audience through the festival’s competition, allowing audience members to choose which acts they’d like to see prior to the start of the event.

The family-friendly festival will offer far more than just great music.

For adults, there will be a plethora of locally brewed cider and ale.

While the festival’s famous Beard Off will determine which folk lover has the biggest and best beard.

For younger guests, multiple activities are on offer, such as archery, a treasure hunt, and a storytelling tent, among many more.

No good festival is complete without mouth-watering food, and the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival has it in spades.

From a carnivore’s dream venison burger to a warming potato salad with smoked sea salt and wild rocket for the veggies, there is something for everyone.

Though early bird tickets have now sold out, general admission is still available at £175 for all three days for adults, £85 for those aged 13-17 years and £40 for children.

Tickets can be found on Purbeck Valley Folk Festival’s official page at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival Tickets.

Visit purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk.