About the Isle of Wight Literary Festival

The Isle of Wight Literary Festival, an established event on the UK Arts calendar, held its first festival in 2012. The festival provides a far reaching eclectic programme designed to attract a wide audience and increase the cultural richness of the Isle of Wight.

Last year due to Covid restriction, the festival hosted a free digital festival. This year a combination live and digital festival is being planned. Hosted at Northwood House, Cowes over three days writers and presenters will share their latest works.  Topics includes crime fiction, history, travel, maritime adventure, gardening, medicine, technology and the social and political issues of our time.  From first time novelists to seasoned historians – speakers passionate about their subject will share insights and information.

The festival is a charity (IWLF registered charity no 1164814) relying on the generous support of sponsors, benefactors and friends. Volunteers organise and staff the festival.

The festival has two patrons: Major General Sir Martin White KCVO CB CBE and Nicholas Allan, author and illustrator patron of the Youth Programme; and three vice patrons: Alan Titchmarsh MBE DL, Dick Turpin and Michael Grade, The Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE.

The Schools Programme was established by the festival to enrich education for the under 18s on the Isle of Wight by increasing the cultural experiences available to stimulate interest in learning and creative ideas. The majority of Island schools now participate in the programme. Covid restrictions have made it impossible to hold the Schools Programme in 2020 and 2021. Planning is underway for the 2022 Schools Programme.