The Isle of Wight Literary Festival, an established event on the UK Arts calendar, was first held 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. The festival is hosted at Northwood House, Cowes over four days with more than 50 writers and presenters talking about their latest works and providing thought provoking insights. Festival goers choose between sessions examining history, medicine, gardening, crime fiction, travel, technology, maritime adventure, politics and much more. The Isle of Wight Literary Festival is a registered charity (No. 1164814) relying on the generous support of sponsors, benefactors and friends. The festival is organised and staffed by volunteers. 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.