PICTURE GALLERY: Thousands of Bestival revellers are today (Thursday) descending on the Isle of Wight as Bestival’s much anticipated ‘Summer of Love’ gets underway.
Spirits are running high as the fantastic weather continues, with music lovers heading across the Solent and on wards to Robin Hill at Downend, the host location of one of the UK’s hottest music festivals.
The crowds have been strong and constant at the Island’s ferry ports throughout the day, with Southern Vectis shuttling visitors to the Bestival site.
Not everyone has travelled to the Island on a boat or hovercraft though… a group of enthusiasts and charity fundraisers swam 1.3 miles across the Solent from Hurst Point to Colwell Bay this morning as part of the annual ‘Swim 2 Bestival’ event.
Now in its 9th year Swim2Bestival has raised more than £63,000 for charity and allowed over 115 swimmers to cross one of the busiest shipping lanes in Europe.
Motorists are facing delays in and around the Briddlesford Road and Lushington Hill areas of Wootton and roads surrounding Rowlands Lane, Havenstreet. If you are not travelling to the Bestival site you are advised to find an alternative route.
Stay connected with Island Echo for continuing coverage from Bestival 2015