Where: Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight

Website: http://www.bestival.net/

When: Sept. 11 to 13

How to get there: Take a car, train or coach to Portsmouth or Southampton, where you'll have to clamber on a ferry (there's a fast, if pricey, hovercraft option too, which is a sentence Spinner doesn't get to write often enough).

Capacity: 30,000.

Ticket price: £140 gets you a three-day ticket plus camping. Tickets for 13-15-year-olds are £70 (only if accompanied by a guardian) and under-12s get in free, as long as they come with a parent or guardian.

Who's playing?: Well, for starters there's Teutonic electro overlords Kraftwerk, Bristolian legends Massive Attack, Elbow, Fleet Foxes and MGMT. Lily Allen, Michael Nyman, Metronomy, Bat For Lashes and the Horrors also feature on an eclectic line-up of bands and DJs. There's scores of acts over the three days.

Who's played before?: The first Bestival in 2004 was headlined by Fatboy Slim, Basement Jaxx and Zero 7, while the following year's festivities featured the Magic Numbers, Super Furry Animals and Royksopp, while in recent years the Beastie Boys, My Bloody Valentine, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen have all appeared.What's it like?: Curated by Radio 1 DJ and Rob Da Bank (not his real name, kids) the festival is renowned for an eccentric, fun-loving atmosphere. Punters are encouraged to dress up on the Saturday and Bestival boasts a boutique feel which sets it apart from many of its contemporaries. Rob Da Bank used to go on holidays here as a kid, so wanted to get that holiday feeling again with the emphasis this time on beats and bands rather than sand castles.

What sets it apart: Europe's biggest fancy dress party for starters – this year's theme is Outer Space, so expect more Barbarellas and robots than is strictly necessary.

The atmosphere is part Big Chill, part Notting Hill Carnival, part seaside holiday. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring their kids -- that's what Rob Da Bank and his mates do, after all -- and there's even a Breastival tent where nursing mums can breastfeed in private. No sniggering at the back, please.

When festival fever sets in: Fancy a stroll? The 108 km-long Isle of Wight coastal allows you to walk the entire length of the island, while those keen on adding to the isle's coffers can always hotfoot to Blackgang Chine, the world's oldest theme park. Kerching.