THIS is the festival that simply gets better and better every year.

Held on a working farm just outside Corfe Castle, it is both surprisingly large yet, as each stage has its own space, it’s intimate enough to feel really cosy.

I went along with a friend and our two ten-year-olds, for whom the magic never stopped. As ever the Travelling Talesman kept up all spellbound with long, amazing stories in a tent draped with colourful materials. Every hour there was a new tale.

A large tent offered free crafts, this year to make dream catchers and lanterns, with lots of lovely helpers to allow little people to make wonderful things.

Another tent offered people the chance to send a handwritten letter or postcard, in an attempt to revive a dwindling art.

There was circus equipment to try: stilts, unicycles and weird and wonderful gadgets, and Jonathan the Jester and his pals entertained us with hilarious evening shows with fire and juggling.

We threw pots on a proper potter’s wheel, got scores of fascinating items from the swap shop and bought ponchos and magic wands to the background of fabulous music from the dozens of bands selected to play. There was also a blacksmith offering the chance to have a go, and other arty crafty options – enough to keep us busy for the whole three or four days.

They do say the first festival you go to is the one you keep returning to and that’s true for me. With the annual beard-off contest and fancy dress competition, treasure hunt for the smalls, and the lovely people who attend this is a place where I park up and just melt into for the duration.

The showers this year were new – posh wooden cubicles, which was a treat. And the loos were kept much cleaner than in previous years. At just £145 for adult and £65 (12-17) and £35 (3-16) for Thurs-Mon with camping, I reckon that’s pure value.

MIRANDA ROBERTSON