Getting to the IOW Bestival
It’s the last big festival of the summer and keeps on getting bigger and better.Bestival is an award winning three day boutique music fest set in Robin Hill, a leafy country park near Downend and Newport in the heart of the Isle of Wight.Running from September 11th – 13th, it’s the brainchild of BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank and his wife Josie.
With headline sets from Massive Attack, Kraftwerk and Elbow lined up, plus appearances from Fleet Foxes, Seasick Steve, Klaxons, Lily Allen, Soulwax, La Roux, Bat For Lashes, the Cuban Brothers and Drums of Death it’s going to be a rip-roaring rave up. Getting to Bestival couldn’t be easier. The Isle of Wight is much nearer than most people think! For example, door to door from central London can take as little as 2 hours (including the ferry crossing). There are frequent and reliable Isle of Wight ferries taking both passengers and cars and if you fancy a bone jangling, ear dinning, 10 minute ride, then there’s always the hovercraft that flies from Southsea.
Getting an IOW ferry seems to be a better bet than some other options for travelling to Bestival, including a bunch of loonies who intend to Swim to Bestival.They’ve done it two years running, swimming across the Solent in the company of safety kayaks arriving in some style, if a little damp and knackered!It’s all in a good cause though, with money being raised for several charities, so don’t throw stuff at them as you cruise past in the IOW ferry.
Most people who come to Bestival camp and that’s probably the best way to experience Bestival. You can take your own tent or hire a larger Tipi, Yurt or Podpad. You can also bring you own campervan to Bestival as the Isle of Wight ferries will easily accommodate even the most gargantuan mobile homes. If you fancy roughing it in a B&B or hotel, then look for places in or near Newport, Ryde or Cowes.