EXPECT a wonderland full of curious creatures, pillow fights, hidden retreats and magical shows in the middle of the woods at Rode Hall Estate later this month.

One of the biggest and most highly regarded family festivals returns to the north west from August 18 to 20.

The award-winning Just So festival, run by social enterprise Wild Rumpus, sees an imaginative range of events focusing on literature, arts, theatre, dance, music and comedy all aimed at children of various ages.

Youngsters and their families are also encouraged to dress up as bees, foxes, frogs, owls, fish, stags or lions for one of the event’s colourful main features, The Tribal Tournament, and tribal parade.

New areas for 2017 include the lakeside Silver Screen dedicated to all things cinematic.

Families can recreate scenes from their favourite films, join a musical chorus line, become extras in a Just So production or be given a Hollywood style makeover. Then as night falls you can bring a blanket to enjoy an outdoor cinema experience with silent movies and family classics curated by Film Hub North West Central and the BFI.

In the Social Barn expect insect eating, foraging, the first Just So jelly fight and the chance to join the Vegetable Orchestra. The barn will also be home to Just So’s midnight feast and The Great Just So Bake Off.

Inquisitive family explorers can discover the Forgotten Courtyard, an area for children aged eight and older.

Set within Rode’s Italian garden in the atmospheric ruins of the Old Tenants’ Hall it will provide a creative space for young minds to stretch their knowledge of the world around them through challenging workshops, debates and talks.

Acclaimed children’s authors will be leading interactive sessions here revealing more about the creative process behind their storytelling.

Blue Peter book award-winner Kieran Larwood will be providing guidance on how to invent your own world and design your own fantasy world map, Mike Brownlow will be sharing the process of making a picture book and Froggicorn illustrator Katy Jones will be leading a session on devising strange creatures.

Author Sarah Mussi will also be leading a session on uncovering fact and fiction behind the legends surrounding the dragons of Wales and the tales of Merlin while adventurer, author and award-winning director Matt Dickinson, who has survived avalanches and killer storms, will be sharing his thoughts on what motivates explorers to take risks in the extreme corners of the planet.

The Woodland Theatre is one of the favourite areas with another full line-up of curiosities.

Taking shelter among the trees are award-winning performance poet Joseph Coelho, who will reveal the mysterious rules of The Werewolf Club, comedian James Campbell and celebrated children’s songwriter David Gibb. Also do not miss Goblin Theatre’s new musical take on Peter And The Wolf.

Festival favourites Tales of Animalia will be presenting outdoor theatre with fanciful creatures and characters.

And there is plenty to discover by exploring deep into the woods like Cyclops and his disobedient flock of sheep, magical moving trees, the carnival of animals and a secret fairyland.

Meanwhile, in the Village Green you can get your game on with Matthew Harrison’s Actual Reality Arcade, a life-sized interactive game zone for all ages, inspired by classic arcade games.

Keep your eyes peeled for Baba Yaga’s House by contemporary circus and theatre company Dizzy O’Dare – a ramshackle old cottage which roams the land on chicken legs while Baba flies in her giant pestle and mortar.

Dance like wild things to a line-up of more than 20 artists on the Footlights stage.

Headliners include ‘sea-soaked’ Dublin folk quintet The Eskies, six-piece The Carny Villains and the brass of The Baghdaddies.

Also do not miss the UK’s current award-winning queen of country music Laura Oakes, folk rockers Ogre Melodies and have a hoedown with Cut A Shine.

You can even harness your inner Brian Cox by contemplating the universe at The Observatory. Unlimited Theatre will be presenting How I Hacked My Way To Space and you can learn about the constellations with star gazing sessions.

n For the full details and the range of packages available for weekend and day tickets visit justsofestival.org.uk