Business Details
29 Years
experience
Arts Gallery, Puppet Theatre & Event Venue in Cumbria
Established in 1997, our arts venue combines a historic 17th-century farm building with modern eco-friendly design to offer a unique cultural hub in Cumbria. We host rotating art exhibitions featuring local, national, and international artists, alongside a dedicated puppet theatre that ranks among only four in England. Our vegetarian restaurant serves freshly prepared meals daily, complemented by a gift shop showcasing handmade crafts and puppets. Recognised with the Sustainable Tourism Award (2018) and Cumbria Life Magazine's Readers Choice Cultural Award (2019), we prioritise accessibility with wheelchair-friendly facilities and an inclusive approach to arts education.Our founders, John and Elaine Parkinson, bring decades of experience in theatre design, puppetry, and arts curation to create immersive cultural experiences. The venue also features eco-lodges for overnight stays and a purpose-built music venue hosting live performances. As a registered charity (No. 1153089), we remain committed to community engagement through educational workshops and youth theatre programs.
Services
Art Gallery
Puppet Theatre
Vegetarian Restaurant
Holiday Accommodation
Live Music Venue
Gift Shop
Eco Lodges
Event Space
Educational Workshops
Puppet Museum
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We have over 25 years of experience curating immersive arts experiences.
- Our venue combines historic architecture with eco-friendly design principles.
- We offer fully accessible facilities for wheelchair users and families.
- Our team includes award-winning puppeteers and theatre designers.
- We provide year-round cultural programming for all age groups.
Services
Art Gallery
Our gallery presents rotating exhibitions featuring works by local, national, and international artists. We showcase diverse mediums including painting, sculpture, ceramics, and textiles through themed group shows and solo presentations. Visitors enjoy curated displays in a historic setting with educational resources for all ages.
Puppet Theatre
One of only four dedicated puppet theatres in England, we produce family-friendly shows using marionettes and rod puppets. Our productions combine traditional techniques with modern storytelling in a purpose-built venue. A forthcoming puppet museum will open in late 2025.
Vegetarian Restaurant
Serving freshly prepared vegetarian meals daily, our restaurant offers salads, baked goods, and speciality dishes made on-site. Gluten-free options and dietary accommodations available. Dine in the gallery, conservatory, or outdoor patio during Wednesday-Sunday trading hours.
Holiday Accommodation
Our onsite eco-lodges provide unique countryside stays for visitors. The self-catering cottages blend rustic charm with modern comforts, situated within the venue's historic grounds. Ideal for art enthusiasts and nature lovers exploring Cumbria.
Live Music Venue
Hosting regular concerts and cultural events, our venue features performances from regional and national artists. The space accommodates diverse acts from jazz trios to folk musicians, with bar service and food options available during events.
People
John Parkinson
Co-Founder & Creative Director
A theatre designer trained at the English National Opera, John established Upfront Gallery in 1997. He combines exhibition design expertise with puppetry passion, overseeing creative direction and venue development while maintaining active artist commissions.
Elaine Parkinson
Co-Founder & Operations Director
Former primary school teacher Elaine co-founded Upfront Gallery, applying educational expertise to curate exhibitions and manage puppet theatre operations. She oversees day-to-day administration and educational outreach programs for the charity.
Questions
What are your opening hours?
We're open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00am–4:30pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Do you offer vegetarian food options?
Our restaurant serves vegetarian meals daily, including gluten-free options and dietary accommodations.
Are there accessibility options?
Yes, we provide wheelchair access, accessible toilets, and lift access to all main areas.
Can I book accommodation onsite?
We offer self-catering holiday cottages and eco-lodges for overnight stays in our grounds.
Do you host cultural events?
We present regular art exhibitions, puppet theatre productions, and live music performances throughout the year.
Reviews (7)
Ian Waugh
Jan 13, 2022
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Always reliable food and supportive of local artists. Investment in puppet theatre a unique selling point.
Jennie Cousins
Jan 02, 2022
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Brilliant show! Our children loved it. We come every year and are never disappointed. Thanks for a lovely afternoon.
Rosie Raynor
Jan 01, 2022
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Beautifully home-cooked vegetarian food, lovely desserts, friendly and efficient staff. The only thing to remember is to book early on in the day as some of the best stuff will have already been consumed! It is well-known for its food, it's paintings and puppet shows
Jean Airey
Dec 11, 2021
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Great service thanks Holly and team for going that one step further to accommodate a fabulous college reunion and making it special. Great food too
Amelia
Sep 28, 2021
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Stopping for refuge from the cold on our cycle, we pulled in for some coffee. We ended up having lunch, multiple coffees and Cake! The food was great, staff very friendly and the art and jewellery was lovely. Well worth a visit.
Stuart Smith
Sep 09, 2021
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Excellent vegetarian meal, art exhibition not as extensive as it was due to ongoing work to create a puppet museum.
K. Brown
Aug 16, 2021
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My husband and I visited Upfront today with our grandson. The food from the cafe was beautiful and we will definitely visit again. I then took my grandson to see the puppet show Jack and the beanstalk. The show was very cleverly put together and all the puppets were amazing!! Everyone seemed to love the show and there was opportunity at the end to see the puppets close up, and also to be able to have photographs taken. Wonderful service and lovely staff, we will definitely be back. Thank you to everyone
