The Woodstock of Europe: Isle of Wight Attracts Thousands of Sail Boats, Musicians & Garlic Lovers

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The British Royal Air Force's Red Arrows does its part in exciting the massive crowds by flying over the Isle of Wight Festival. (Photo courtesy of the Isle of Wight Festival. Click on the photo to go directly to the Isle of Wight website.)

In June, the Island resonates with the music of the annual Isle of Wight Festival. Started in 1968, it is considered to be the Woodstock of Europe, where all the popular stars appear, attracting huge crowds. Over 50,000 music lovers attended the 2014 festival, which over four nights featured world-renowned acts such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Calvin Harris and Kings of Leon, as well as smaller acts looking to break into the scene. The largest and most famous year of the festival happened in 1970, when the lineup consisted of Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Miles Davis, The Doors as well as many other well-known performers. It is believed that around 600,000 people attended this festival, and the extremely high attendance led to Parliament passing the Isle of Wight Act, which restricted the attendance to any festival to 5,000 participants without a special permit until 2002 when large crowds were permitted again.

Queen Victoria loved Wight’s tranquility and mild weather, and Prince Albert, with architect Thomas Cubitt, who designed the façade of Buckingham Palace, constructed a summer love nest there for her, the Osborne House. From its completion in 1851 to Victoria’s death in 1901, she spent most of her summers at Osborne House.

Over 2,000 sail boats participate in the annual race "Round the Isle"

Due to its protected location, Wight is a paradise for yachting. The annual Cowes Week, in early August, gathers up to 100,000 spectators and 8,000 competitors for eight days of boat races. It is the oldest and largest annual sailing regatta in the world, and dates all the way back to 1826. The event is completely free, and visitors can watch from the shore or on the water in a spectator boat. The Isle is filled with live entertainment and cocktail parties. Furthermore, every June the annual yachting race, ”Round the Isle,” gathers around 2,000 sail boats, and events take place across the island.

The tranquil beaches on the Isle of Wight are perfect for an escape

White sand beaches dot its perimeter, and the quietest, most unspoiled ones are located on the southeastern coast between Compton and Blangang.

Londoners flee the hustle and bustle of the Capital for the Isle of Wight's pastures

Londoners and other metropolitans flee the hustle and bustle of the Capital for the Isle of Wight’s pastures, greener than those of Hyde Park. The shadowed narrow roads wind around and across the island, where public transportation is plenty.

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary provides shelter and care for neglected, abandoned and injured donkeys. Everyone is invited to come meet the donkeys, and visitors can even adopt one for themselves or as a gift.