Six unexpected delights at Latitude Festival

For the last 20 years, Latitude Festival has been renowned for the eclectic mix of bands and artists it has chosen to grace its stages.

But the arts and culture event, which takes place in Henham Park, Suffolk, this weekend, is about much more than just the music.

Organiser Melvin Benn said when it started in 2006, he set out to create something that "nobody had really done before" - and it still showcases literature, poetry, dance and theatre performances today.

So, if you are heading to this year's festival, here are six unexpected treats you should check out.

Make no bones about it, John Cooper Clarke is more than just a poetry legend - he is a British cult hero.

Known as the Godfather of Punk Poetry, he has been captivating audiences with his hilarious ponderings on modern life since the 1970s.

But he remains as relevant today as ever.

When his poem 'I Wanna Be Yours' was reimagined by Arctic Monkeys' wordsmith and Cooper Clarke fan Alex Turner, his works found a whole new audience.

Latitude says: "Watching John Cooper Clarke perform is an opportunity to see a living legend at the top of his game."

In the world of science, 20 years is a hell of a long time – a lot can happen.

And thinking too deeply about how the universe has advanced in the last two decades – for better or worse – may make you feel a tad overwhelmed.

But 20 Years of Scientific Discoveries, at the Apollo Stage, will help you process all that change, as it looks back at some of the biggest scientific discoveries in recent years.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone's favourite fashionista, Gok Wan, was perhaps best known as the face of How To Look Good Naked and Gok's Fashion Fix.

But during lockdown, his Isolation Nation livestream, which saw him DJ from the comfort of his living room, created a whole new audience and led to him eventually taking his decks on the road.

At 12:00 BST on Friday, he will stop off at Henham Park on the festival's main stage, the Obelisk Arena.

If his performance resonates in the same way those early livestreams did, you can expect a real treat.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to go to space? Well, you need not wonder any more.

Helen Sharman, who became Britain's first astronaut 35 years ago, will be bringing her Beyond the Moon talk to the Apollo Stage, at 14:00 on Saturday.

During the exclusive event, she will share her views on the future of human space flight and the important science that will come from future missions.

Latitude says this event is "certainly not to be missed" and "a truly unique opportunity".

Stop! It's grammar time.

MC Grammer is a multi-award-winning rapper and teacher, who is best known for turning children's books into engaging raps.

Latitude Festival says families should expect "book bangers, epic rhymes and non-stop vibes" from the World Book Day ambassador.

He will perform on the Canopy Stage at the Enchanted Garden on Saturday from 10:45, and in the Kids Theatre at 15:20 on Friday and 16:20 on Saturday.

The words 'baby' and 'relaxing' do not often go hand-in-hand.

But, at Latitude, they do.

If you're going to the event with a little one, you can head to the Enchanted Garden's baby and yoga tent.

Inside, Rock & Roll Baby will lead you and your tiny festivalgoer through a "moment of calm and connection".

You will be able to give your baby a soothing massage while learning full body massage techniques.

The baby yoga, meanwhile, will "intertwine gentle movements" for your baby and the opportunity to "stretch, and explore and connect through movement together".

The sessions will run at 13:15 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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