Star-Studded Isle Of Wight Literary Festival Tickets Now On Sale

Tickets are now on sale for this year's Isle of Wight Literary Festival, with a host of well-known names from broadcasting, television, sport, food and literature heading to Northwood House in Cowes.

The festival takes place from October 8th to 11th, with more than 40 speakers appearing across the four-day event.

Among the headline names are broadcaster Clare Balding, actress Amanda Barrie, BBC journalist and newsreader Sophie Raworth, football commentator Clive Tyldesley, chef and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, actress Celia Imrie and actor Larry Lamb.

They will be joined by Mary Portas, crime writer Ann Cleeves and wine expert and TV personality Helen McGinn.

Organisers say ticket prices have been kept affordable, with a wide range of talks and events included across the festival.

The programme covers a broad range of subjects, including Bob Dylan's connections to the Isle of Wight, Europe's great rivers, military strategy and Britain's coastal heritage.

There will also be a series of special events, including Helen McGinn's wine tasting, a new whisky tasting hosted by whisky writer Ian Buxton and the return of the popular Fizz Quiz.

Other highlights include Seabourn's Ruby afternoon tea with former royal butler Grant Harrold, a murder mystery written specially for the festival by Ann Cleeves, and a musical evening featuring Cowes resident and G4 performer Mike Christie.

Food is also a major part of the festival through LitFeast.

The programme includes demonstrations from Michelin-starred chef Chris Galvin, Great British Bake Off finalist Miranda Gore Browne and French pâtissier and celebrity chef Eric Lanlard.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall will discuss his work promoting healthier eating, while Professor Tim Lang will look at possible solutions to Britain's food challenges.

The demonstrations will take place in the LitFeast professional kitchen, sponsored by Island education and training provider HTP.

The festival's Write on Wight programme will also return, celebrating the Island's local writing community.

Authors will be able to sell their books through the Writers' Marketplace, showcase their work through Author! Author!, find out about writing residencies with Maggie Sawkins and attend the launch of the sixth edition of The Figlet, featuring Island writers, artists and photographers.

The festival's schools programme is also expanding this year, with every school on the Island being incorporated into the initiative.

More than 20 leading children's authors will visit schools as part of the programme, which coincides with the designated Year of Reading.

Tickets and further information are available at isleofwightliteraryfestival.com.