Discover Newent's Hidden Courtyard During Community Weekend

Newent

Venue: The Shambles

Date: 20 June 2026

 Forest & Rivers Open Studios Art Trail (farOpen) from 4th–12th July 

This weekend Newent celebrates its 800th year as a market town with a day of community events as part of a year-long programme marking this important milestone.

Among the local businesses taking part is the Charlotte Keating Art Gallery, tucked away in The Shambles courtyard just off Church Street.

Originally based in Lydney, artist Charlotte Keating moved her art practice to Newent last September after finding a studio in The Shambles that could double as a small retail space. Since then, she has expanded into the neighbouring premises, transforming it into a bright contemporary art gallery showcasing her own dreamy abstract paintings alongside the work of more than 25 artists from across the region.

The gallery represents artists from the Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol and Worcester, with a few from further afield. Each month, Charlotte curates a fresh exhibition featuring paintings, ceramics, jewellery, sculpture and handcrafted work, with something to suit a range of tastes and budgets.

"It's the sort of gallery where people can pop in for a browse, find a thoughtful gift or perhaps discover a piece of art they fall in love with," says Charlotte.

"The town itself has been so welcoming to a newcomer like me. The Town Council is genuinely proactive in supporting local traders and creating events that bring people together. I'm incredibly grateful for the support I've received from both the community and my customers."

This weekend's Explore Newent Community Day is a celebration of everything that makes Newent such a special market town, bringing together local businesses, community groups and venues for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The Town & Country Market will be running from 9am–1pm, with local producers and traders selling food, crafts, bakes, pet supplies and more. Live music from Susie and the Banjos will take place between 12pm and 1pm.

The Mend & Repair Café, run by The Newent Initiative, will be open from 10am–2pm. Visitors can bring along broken household items and volunteers will do their best to repair them, helping reduce waste and save treasured possessions from ending up in landfill.

Across town, residents will also be taking part in Driveways, a community-wide yard sale where households sell pre-loved and unwanted items from their homes and gardens.

A Hidden Corner of Newent

While many people pass through The Shambles on their way between Church Street, the lake and the main car park, fewer take the time to stop and explore what lies behind the historic buildings.

This secluded courtyard is one of Newent's hidden gems – a peaceful little suntrap where visitors can enjoy a coffee or lunch, listen to the birds, browse independent shops and discover local independent businesses.

Originally home to a Victorian museum built on the site of the medieval shambles, the courtyard is now home to artist studios, a café, independent retailers, the Museum of Board Games and the Charlotte Keating Art Gallery.

This Saturday, visitors can explore the gallery's current Glow Up! exhibition, featuring bright, playful artwork designed to lift the spirits and bring colour into everyday life.

Between 2pm and 4pm, enamel artist Katie Sanderson will be giving a live demonstration, in the gallery courtyard, showcasing a variety of enamelling techniques on copper and sharing the process behind her beautiful jewellery and artwork. Visitors are welcome to drop by, watch the magic unfold, ask questions and learn more about this fascinating craft. Katie's work will also be available to purchase and workshop places can be booked through the gallery.

Elsewhere in The Shambles, the Museum of Board Games will be hosting its popular Monopoly Treasure Hunt alongside a Tiddly Golf course. Visitors can search for hidden Monopoly Chance cards around the museum for the chance to win prizes or try their hand at a tiddlywinks-inspired golf challenge where you can set up your own 9 hole course on a big table with obstacles and tin cups with flags to represent the holes.

The newly opened Shambles Crafts & Gift Shop will be running a raffle to win a hand-decorated illuminated bottle, with tickets available for just 50p.

Visitors can also take a look inside the working studios of Helen Winters Dean, creator of Lumogami artisanal lighting, and Valentina Fornelli, also known as Sarah Louise Browne Loula, former X factor contestant and songwriter, whose colourful abstract paintings celebrate creativity and positivity.

For those unable to visit this weekend, The Shambles will also be taking part in the Forest & Rivers Open Studios Art Trail (farOpen) from 4th–12th July, when Charlotte Keating, Valentina Fornelli, Helen Winters Dean and Kath Price will all be opening their studios to visitors.

The day finishes with a free Community Picnic by the lake from 4pm–6pm. Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket and enjoy live entertainment, outdoor games, fairground rides and the chance to spend time together as a community. Free wraps can be pre-ordered through TicketSource, or people are welcome to bring their own picnic.

With markets, music, creativity, family activities and community spirit running throughout the day, Explore Newent Community Day promises to be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate everything that makes Newent unique.

 

More details about Discover Newent's Hidden Courtyard During Community Weekend (External Link)

 

Charlotte Keating Art Gallery & Gift Shop

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