The Isle of Wight Literary Festival takes place in and around Northwood House, a Grade II* listed late Georgian manor house set in over 20 acres of parkland.
On the programme are guest speakers from various literary circles, writing workshops, music performances and poetry recital evenings where you can take to the stage to showcase your own work.
Families are more than welcome at the festival, with a number of readings, speakers and workshops aimed at children.
In this 'you may also like' section we attempt to answer what else can I do? Here you have a list by order of being the closest to the event, some more beaches, things to see and do, places to eat and upcoming events.
Beach: Gurnard Beach, Cowes View: Situated right on the beach next to the Gurnard Sailing Club with stunning views over Cowes and out to sea. What’s on the menu?: Breakfasts, baguettes, light bites, hot and cold drinks, cakes and desserts. Fully licensed. Read more…
S. Fowler & Co. is a Wetherspoon pub in Ryde, Isle of Wight. Our pub offers a range of real ales, craft beers and freshly ground Lavazza coffee. Breakfast is served until noon, with our full food menu available until 11 pm. Read more…
Beach: Saint Helens Beach, Bembridge View: Situated right on the sandy/shingle beach. Sit at one of the outdoor tables with spectacular views of the eastern Solent and the approach to Bembridge Harbour. What’s on the menu?: A great seafood-based menu. Read more…
Beach: The blue flag Sandown beach View: Located right opposite Sandown’s sandy beach, enjoy views over the bays of Sandown and Shanklin. You can sit inside or outside, directly on the promenade. What’s on the menu?: Light bites, wraps, paninis, sandwiches, salads & waffles Read more…
Cowes beach or West beach is a sand and shingle beach. A good point for relaxing and watching sailing and other watersports in the Solent. This beach is steep shelved and is only recommended for strong swimmers. The adjoining beach at Gurnard has a gentler shelf and is generally less crowded, making it perfect for swimming, and the two beaches Read more…
Gurnard beach is a gently shelving sand and shingle beach with promenade, beach huts and grass areas. Gurnard beach is ideal for families and water sports such as dinghy sailing and windsurfing. Facilities include parking, toilets, cafe, pub, shops and slipway. Read more…
The East beach at Cowes is a mixture of sand and shingle backed by a promenade, children’s play area and paddling pool. East Cowes also has a marina and is separated from the main town by the River Medina. The chain ferry floating bridge is the only direct link between East and West Cowes, and saves a drive to Newport. Read more…
Cowes Harbour is recognised as one of the premium yachting centres of the world. It is home to the Round the Island Race which is one of the world’s largest yacht races and the infamous Cowes Week where thousands gather every year to witness this dramatic and nail biting event. Although famous for sailing events and conditions Cowes has so much Read more…
Cowes lifeboat station was founded in 1986 and RNLI took ownership in 2008. Cowes Lifeboat Station is involved in over 40 Search and Rescue (SOR) operations within the Solent from their current base in Shepard’s wharf marina. This is a charitable organisation and funded by the public as well as others and what is remarkable is that a legacy enabled Read more…
Inshore Lifeboat Centre (ILC) is state-of-the-art RNLI boatyard occupying two acres on the East Cowes bank of the River Medina. The ILC is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for its work involving inflatable and rigid inflatable lifeboats (RIBs). The RNLI constructs up to 60% of the lifeboats it needs in its own purpose-built manufacturing facility in Cowes. Visitors are Read more…
Osborne House is a popular attraction on the Isle of Wight. Known fondly as Queen Victoria’s palace-by-the-sea this estate has an exquisitely furnished house and terraced gardens with panoramic views leading down to its own private beach on the Solent. The House was built in 1845 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a country retreat. It was Queen Victoria’s family Read more…
