Garlic festival 2008

The annual garlic festival in August is a unique (and pungent) slice of life on our Island. Hot crusty bread, moules, lamb, beer, even ice cream will be carrying that distinctive aroma across hundreds of food stalls. But don't worry, some of it is garlic-free!

In 2008, The Bubblegum and Cheese stage featured glam rock and road safety legend Alvin Stardust performing his greatest hits, while the Apple Beatles served up a slice of uncanny Fab Four magic. The main arena will also featured fire eaters, stilt walkers, and exotic animals.

BBC TV's Gardeners' World, Isle of Wight Radio, and other famous faces joined approximately 20,000 people to sample the best produce the island has to offer, as well as arts and crafts, a children's stage with puppet shows and magic, sporting events, classic vehicles, a huge beer tent, and much much more.

Join us for a fabulous weekend - it's great fun, and the proceeds go to support local charities, sports teams, and local producers and traders.

Garlic festival fun

getting to the Garlic festival

map showing direct bus routes to the garlic festival site
from Ryde

Wightlink Fast Cat from Portsmouth
Hovertravel hovercraft from Southsea

Customers arriving at Ryde Pier should proceed to the Bus station and board the Downs Tour , which runs from 0930, then every 30 minutes until 1730, direct to the festival.

You can also get on route 2 or route 3 from Ryde bus station to Sandown and change to route 8 to the festival.

from Yarmouth

Wightlink ferry from Lymington

Customers arriving at Yarmouth should board route 7 to Newport and change to route 8 which will take you directly to the festival.

from Cowes

Red Funnel Red Jet ferry from Southampton

Customers arriving from Southampton on the Red Jet should board route 1 to Newport Bus Station and change to route 8 to the festival.

from East Cowes

Red Funnel ferry from Southampton

Customers arriving at East Cowes Red Funnel Ferry Terminal should board route 5 to Newport and change to route 8 direct to the festival.

Route 8 from Newport to Ryde via Sandown passes the entrance to the Garlic Festival.


fares

As well as our normal fares we also offer a great range of 1 day and 2 days Rover tickets and Freedom tickets giving unlimited travel across the Island.