Travel and Transport

Because there are no fixed connections between the Isle of Wight and mainland England, you will need to travel the short journey by ferry across the solent. Trains can be taken to Portsmouth Harbour or Southampton Central. The Southampton to Cowes crossing is by Red Funnel's Red Jet, and Portmouth to Ryde can be either Wightlink's Fastcat or Hovertravel's Hovercraft. Once on the Isle of Wight, a bus or taxi can easily take you to the venue. If you choose to come by car, you will need to cross with Red Funnel (Southampton - Cowes), or Wightlink (Fishbourne - Ryde). The campsite usually opens from Thursday noon to Monday noon. Ticket and travel packages are usually available from the Isle of Wight Ferry Companies. For more information on crossing the Solent, check Isle of Wight Ferry Information.

The Isle of Wight Festival 2002-2005

In 2002, to the delight of many people, the Isle of Wight festival was reinstated. It was a one day festival held at the current location of Seaclose Park on the outskirts of Newport. Amongst others it featured Island band The Bees, Ash, Starsailor, Hundred Reasons, The Charlatans and Robert Plant. 2003 saw the festival spread over 2 days. The first day saw performances from The Thrills, Cooper Temple Clause, Iggy Pop, and Paul Weller. On the second day festival attendees were treated to sets from The Darkness, Hell is for Heroes, The Counting Crows, and Bryan Adams. In 2004 the festival became a three day event. The Friday crowd saw bands including The Super Furry Animals, Groove Armada and The Stereophonics. Saturday included Steve Harley, Jet, Manic Street Preachers and The Who. On the third and final day highlights included The Ordinary Boys, Suzanne Vega, The Charlatans and amazingly David Bowie. 2005 was again spread over 3 days. On Friday bands included Supergrass, Razorlight, Idlewild and Faithless. Saturday saw local up and comers The Jackson Analogue, Nine Black Alps, Babyshambles, Goldie Lookin' Chain, Roxy music and Travis. Finally, on the Sunday The Magic Numbers, Embrace, Starsailor and Snow Patrol all played before an incredible set from the Michael Stipe fronted R.E.M..

Origins 1968-1970

The Isle of Wight festival was originally held between 1968 and 1970. The initial venues were Ford Farm, near Godshill, and then Afton Down, near Freshwater. After a more than modest start with the 1968 festival attracting approximately 10,000 people and headliners Jefferson Airplane and T. Rex, the 1969 festival was said to be attended by a huge 250,000 people who had come to watch such musical luminaries as Bob Dylan and The Who. But astonishingly it seems that around 600,000 music lovers descended onto the Island for the now legendary 1970 festival (at the time this was said to be one of the largest human gatherings ever). Performers included The Who, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Leonard Cohen, the Moody Blues and a legendary set from Jethro Tull, but it was one of the final and now legendary performances from Jimi Hendrix that will forever go down in history. In 1971, the 'Isle of Wight Act' was passed preventing gatherings of more than 5,000 people on the Island without a special licence.