Explore the artists of Oundle and the Nene Valley this September
Artists across Oundle, Warmington, Barnwell and Luddington-in-the-Brook are preparing to welcome visitors this September as Northants & Rutland Open Studios returns with a creative trail through East Northamptonshire.
The official 2026 festival guide groups Warmington, Oundle, Barnwell and Luddington-in-the-Brook together, creating a particularly attractive route through the eastern side of the county.
This year’s festival theme, “Go Further This September – Discover the Unexpected”, encourages visitors to explore hidden studios, villages and creative spaces while meeting the artists who make the region such a vibrant place to visit.
In Warmington, painter Faye Gagel-Panchal will open Field View Studio at 23 Big Green on 5, 6, 12 and 13 September, 10am–4pm.
Her mixed-media paintings and lino prints celebrate the richness and diversity of textiles, drawing inspiration from heritage collections in British museums and National Trust properties.
Warmington is also home to a further open studio showing contemporary impressionist paintings inspired by the changing seasons, with landscapes, seascapes, gardens and lakes forming part of the work on display throughout September.
At Luddington-in-the-Brook, furniture maker Gordon Monk will open his studio at 4 Luddington-in-the-Brook on 5, 6, 12 and 13 September from 11am–3pm, showing his handmade chairs.
The same village is strongly associated with artist and printmaker Carry Akroyd, whose work has long drawn inspiration from landscapes and birds and who is included in the 2026 NROS programme.
At Barnwell Manor Estate, contemporary artist Sophie Cero will open her studio at Barnwell Workshops on selected dates between 5 and 13 September. Working across film, print, installation, performance and other media, her studio promises one of the more unconventional stops on the trail.
Oundle itself provides a further focal point through Jackdaw Gallery, which will host Artisan Perspectives, a multi-sensory exhibition bringing together eight local artists working across painting, illustration, embroidery, ceramics, papier-mâché and other media. The gallery also has a festival launch event on 3 September.
NROS Director and Festival Organiser Katie Boyce said: “The eastern side of Northamptonshire is almost made for Open Studios. The villages are beautiful, the countryside is part of the experience and there are incredibly talented artists working throughout the area.
“You can begin in Oundle, travel a few miles into Warmington or Barnwell, and then find yourself inside a working studio speaking directly to the person who created the work.
“That connection between place, artist and visitor is what makes Open Studios so special.”
Katie added: “We would encourage people not to rush it. Pick a few studios, enjoy the journey between them, stop somewhere for lunch or coffee and make the art part of a day exploring the Nene Valley.
“You do not need any previous knowledge of art. Just come because you are curious.”
The wider Northants & Rutland Open Studios festival includes artists working in painting, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, printmaking, jewellery, photography, glass and mixed media.
Visitors can also begin their journey at the Central Exhibition at Lamport Hall, where more than 500 original works by 230 artists will be on display from 5 September to 3 October, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–4pm.
Full listings, individual studio opening dates and maps are available in the NROS 2026 festival guide. www.nros.co.uk