BESTIVAL is leaving its Isle of Wight home for a new life in Dorset, it has been announced.
The Isle of Wight-based organisers have applied for a licence to hold a four-day event at Lulworth Estate in the Purbeck region, which is already the home of their family-orientated Camp Bestival event.
Bestival has been held at Robin Hill Country Park for the last 13 years, with headliners including Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Chic and Scissor Sisters over the years.
Rob Da Bank, Bestival curator, said: "We remain fully committed to supporting the Isle of Wight through music, charities and projects and will be giving Islanders an exclusive ticket offer for the new site.
He also revealed they were looking at a new event on the Isle of Wight in 2017.
"Watch this space," he said.
"We can confirm we have submitted a licence application for the new site at the Lulworth Estate and we are super excited about our shiny new Bestival adventure.
"We have an incredible line-up, headliners confirmed and ridiculous new stages and installations coming your way in 2017."
Camp Bestival celebrates its tenth anniversary at Lulworth in 2017, with Mark Ronson and Hollie Johnson confirmed to perform.


David Thornton, chief executive of Visit Isle of Wight, said: "2.7million visits are currently made to the Island every year; numbers are on the rise after a considerable decline over decades.

"More than 40 major festivals and events every season help to attract visitors from the mainland, and the Isle of Wight is fortunate to have so many companies, organisations and groups of volunteers who deliver popular events throughout the year.

"Bestival has played a significant role in putting the Island on the map, especially in the minds of young people. 

"We all owe the Bestival team a huge debt of gratitude for their hard work and creative inspiration. 

"Rob Da Bank is a terrific ambassador for the Isle of Wight, and I am certain that he will continue to work with the Island in innovative ways.

"But, as one door closes another opens, affording us new opportunities to develop visitor markets that deliver growth in our visitor economy.

"At Visit Isle of Wight, we believe that September offers great potential for increased short breaks and longer holidays, and for the last two months we have been planning new campaigns to make the most of the opportunities in front of us."

For an interview with Rob Da Bank, where he explains the reasons for the move, see the County Press tomorrow (December 16).