As one of the later festivals of the year, Bestival is usually held mid September on the Isle of Wight. It’s generally much smaller than the more mainstream Isle of Wight festival and has several other distinguishing factors than differentiate it from other festivals. Set up and run each year by Radio 1’s Rob Da Bank it’s about so much more than the music playing. The overall ethos is one of tranquillity and bohemia.
The festival itself is very green. The Green Festival Award only awarded 13 festivals world wide as outstanding last year and Bestival was one of them. Something it’s very proud of. Bestival makes several requests to ensure this reputation is lived up to. It requests that wherever possible attendees use public transport rather than take their own car. It provides a list of the available ferry services on its website. It also requests that those who do want to bring their car partake in a car sharing scheme. Once at the festival they’ll be plenty of recycling bins for just about everything. If you smoke you’ll be offered a little canister to keep your used cigarette butts in so they don’t have to little the fields.
The Isle of Wight was chosen in the first place for its natural beauty and peaceful settings. Each year fancy dress is an important part of the festival. This year’s theme is fantasy from witches and wizards to Hobbits and aliens. Bestival also has a very child friendly attitude. Parents are invited to bring their children along where they can leave them under [professional supervision at the Kids Garden. Here they can enjoy bouncy castles to dressing up and an extensive collection of toys and games. There are also plenty of classes like yoga for the adults but many of them are suitable for children too.
You’ll also find several other amazing tents from the Bollywood cocktail bar to the relaxing massage area. There’s even an inflatable tent where you can get legally married if you so chose. Besides all the magic and fun there is of course the music too. From hard core dance, to happy pop to chilled out indie there’s bound to be something perfect for you.