Country on the Eye

Country on the Eye 2026

Country on the Eye returns to Play Close Park in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, on 12 and 13 June 2026. This two-day festival showcases country, folk and Americana music in a scenic riverside setting with a welcoming community vibe.

Music

Enjoy performances by Gary Quinn, Karli & James, Will Varley, The Often Herd and Nashville’s Bob Cheevers across multiple stages. Highlights include a Friday night Songwriters Series with acoustic sets, full-day live music on Saturday, and a dedicated Acoustic Tent for relaxed mini-sets.

Activities & Workshops

Take part in daytime workshops such as line-dancing and group jam sessions. Children can enjoy face-painting and giant games in the Kids Zone.

Food & Drink

Festival food vendors offer barbecue favourites and local Melton treats, alongside ales and ciders. Picnic areas provide shaded spots to relax across the site.

Atmosphere

Set beside the River Eye in historic Play Close Park, Country on the Eye combines countryside charm with Melton Mowbray’s friendly community spirit for a relaxed, enjoyable festival experience near the town centre.

Traveling to Melton Mowbray is straightforward, whether by car, rail or air. The closest train stop is Melton Mowbray station, right in town. Trains run regularly from Leicester (about a 40-minute journey) and Nottingham (around 45 minutes). For those flying in, East Midlands Airport (EMA) is the nearest major airport, only about 20 miles (30-40 minutes by road) from Melton. From EMA you can rent a car or catch a taxi to town. Other major airports within reach include Birmingham Airport (roughly an hour’s drive south) and London’s Luton or Stansted airports (around 1.5 to 2 hours away by road or rail). After landing anywhere, simply make your way to Leicester or Nottingham and connect onwards to Melton by local train or bus.

If you’re driving, Melton Mowbray is easily accessible via the road network. The town sits in rural Leicestershire at the junction of the A606 (from the north and west) and A607 (from the south and east). From Leicester, head northeast on the A607 toward Melton; from Nottingham, take the A606 southeast toward the town. The M1 motorway is about 15 miles to the east (via the A607/A46 toward Leicester), linking Melton to the rest of the country. Parking is plentiful: Melton has several car parks near the centre, and event parking arrangements are usually in place during the festival weekend (follow local signage for guidance).

Once you arrive, you’ll find the town very walkable. The venue at Play Close Park is only a few minutes’ walk from Melton’s main shopping street and pubs. If you come by train, the station on Burton Street is about 10-15 minutes on foot from the park gates (taxis are also available outside the station). Melton offers a range of accommodations: cozy B&Bs, guesthouses and hotels cluster around the town centre, all within easy reach of the festival field. It’s a good idea to book early, as local lodgings can fill up on event weekends. If you prefer camping, check for nearby campsites or holiday parks in Leicestershire (though official festival camping may be limited). Once here, shops, cafes and pubs are all within walking distance – perfect for grabbing breakfast or unwinding after the music without needing to drive.