Zadie Smith and Rowan Williams appear at Idler Festival Hampstead

The annual weekend of talks, workshops, music, and philosophy takes over the orchard and lawns of the National Trust property from July 5-7.

Alan Partridge sidekick Tim Key, the Rt Rev Rowan Williams, and novelist Zadie Smith have all signed up to appear at this year's The Idler Festival.

The Idler Festival takes over the grounds of Fenton House Hampstead over the weekend of July 5-7 (Image: Monika Jakubowska)

Williams, who as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury presided over the wedding of William and Kate, talks about The Seven Deadly Sins, Willesden-based Smith speaks about her historical novel The Fraud, and Key will celebrate the publication of his new poetry anthology, Chapters.

Also confirmed are Manchester DJ Paulette, who will share the highs, lows and lessons of a 30 year music career and discuss the challenges facing female DJs; comic writer Nina Stibbe talking on friendship, failures and finding a fresh start in her sixties, as aired in her latest book Went to London, Took The Dog, and singer, songwriter Chris Difford of the band Squeeze who appears ahead of the band’s 50th anniversary tour, which includes a sold out night at the Royal Albert Hall.

Willesden based novelist Zadie Smith talks about her historical novel The Fraud (Image: Ben Bailey Smith)

Meanwhile veteran comic Arthur Smith will offer his "true story behind Fenton House, a tale of murder, mayhem and lasagne," and Novelist Olivia Laing discusses the shocking cost of creating a garden, while BBC Radio 3's Georgia Mann will DJ in the orchard.

In keeping with The Idler's philosophy, ticketholders are invited to do as much or as little as they please in the walled gardens of the 17th Century house, with activities including beekeeping, ukulele, agony aunts, workshops, dancing, bibliotherapy, and walks -  and loafing about under an apple tree much encouraged.

The event takes place in the orchard and lawns of the 17th Century National Trust property (Image: Monika Jakubowska)

There will also be harpsichord recitals inside the house during the festival, which grew out of the magazine founded in 1993 by Tom Hodgkinson, and The Idler Academy which he co-founded with Victoria Hull in 2011, selling books and producing live and online classes and events.

The Idler Festival runs from 5-7 July at Fenton House, Hampstead Grove, NW3 with further acts to be announced.

Rt Rev Rowan Williams the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury will talk about The Seven Deadly Sins (Image: Supplied)

Weekend tickets cost £135,  and £60 day tickets will be released in June. Further details at www.idler.co.uk/festival