Bestival - Useful Information
How to get here
Arriving by train: If you are travelling by train, head for Southampton Central Station where the FREE & frequent CityLink shuttle bus service will take you on a 10 minute ride to Red Funnels Terminals 1 & 2.
It's up to you which service to use but we recommend travelling as a passenger on our hourly vehicle ferry service to East Cowes where festival shuttle buses operate to the arena. Please be advised that both our Red Jet and Vehicle Ferry foot passenger services operate on a first come first served basis during Bestival. We would recommend that passengers book Vehicle Ferry Foot passenger travel in advance to minimise queuing time at the ticket office, but unfortunately, we cannot guarantee travel at the time stated on the ticket.
If you prefer, you can travel on Red Funnel's Red Jet Hi-Speed passenger service from Terminal 2 in Southampton to West Cowes. It is more expensive (tickets available online or on departure) but it takes only 23 minutes. On arrival you can catch a normal Southern Vectis bus (Route 1) to Newport, where there are connections (Route 8) to Robin Hill. If you are camping it is quicker to catch the dedicated festival bus from East Cowes as this stops adjacent to the campsite.
If travelling to East Cowes, there will be frequent Bestival buses as well as a normal bus service to Newport. These buses are not free, but return tickets will be issued so please keep them safe. The campsite is open from midday Thursday 9th to midday Monday 13th September 2010.
Arriving by car/van/motorcycle/camper: You need to head for Terminal 1, Red Funnel's vehicle ferry terminal which is at Dock Gate 7, Town Quay Road, Southampton. Please arrive 30 min before your booked sailing. Click on the link below for directions and maps. Once you reach East Cowes, follow signs to Newport and Bestival.
Travel connections Finding Red FunnelBestival Basics
Bestival 2011 takes place between Thursday 8th and Sunday 11th September at Robin Hill Countyside Adventure Park near Newport on the lovely Isle of Wight.
- The car parks and campsite opens midday on Thursday 8th September and close at midday on Monday 12th September 2011.
- No entry into the site after midnight on any night.
- Main arena will open at midday on Friday & shut at 3am on Friday & Saturday night and 1am on Sunday night.
- Music starts at 2pm on Friday and midday on Saturday & Sunday.
General / Quiet / Family Camping: There will be separate General, Quiet and Family Camping Areas at this year's Bestival and there will be a team of people ready to meet you when you arrive on-site to guide you to the most appropriate camping area for your needs.
Campervans: You can hire one of these or just bring your own! There will be a separate campervan area next to the General Camping Area. Your Campervan must be specially adapted for people to stay in (which does not include transit vans with a mattress in the back or 4x4s with the seats taken out!!). A separate Campervan permit is required, please follow the link below.
Campervan permits