Concerts-Performances
Oxford Concert Party
Take 300 years of music from around the world, turn it upside down, infuse it
Established in 1997
Vegetarian Restaurant & Coffee Shop, Art Gallery, Puppet Theatre,
Music Venue and Event Space.
Located near Penrith, Cumbria
Vegetarian Restaurant & Coffee Shop, Art Gallery, Puppet Theatre,
Music Venue and Event Space.
Located near Penrith, Cumbria
Welcome to Upfront
Upfront Gallery, Puppet Theatre, Music Venue and Vegetarian Restaurant are located near Penrith, Cumbria. Based in a rural setting the venue is located in beautifully converted 17th century farm buildings and a purpose built 128 seat theatre.
The venue was the winner of the Sustainable Tourism Award from Cumbria Tourist board in 2018. In 2019 it was awarded “The Readers Choice” Cultural Award from Cumbria Life Magazine.
The buildings house Upfront Puppet Theatre and the workshops of artist, John Parkinson.
John and Elaine are the owners and co founders of Upfront Gallery. The gallery presents a changing program of exhibitions throughout the year.
Upfront Arts Charity was founded by the couple to support the work of the onsite Puppet Theatre.
A self catering holiday cottage and two unique “eco” lodges are available on site to hire for holidays.
Access
An interactive Google map, of terrain and roads can be found in our contact page on this site
Parking is possible directly outside the main entrance door of the gallery and level smooth access is available to all the main downstairs areas of the building.
There is an easy access entrance for wheelchair users to the building, plus easy access toilet and baby changing facilities.
The downstairs area, including the, coffee shop and gift shop is all on one level. The theatre has a level entrance, with raked seating and spaces at the front for wheelchairs. A lift is installed which gives access to the new Puppet Museum, due to open in late 2025.
As all food is cooked on the premises we can help any visitor with specific dietary requirements, for example, gluten free food please ask and we will be very happy to help.
WHAT'S ON
Concerts-Performances
Jack Broadbent
In 2026, Jack Broadbent hits the road in support of Orchids, a deeply personal new album
Concerts-Performances
Dub N Grub presents Channel One Ft Ras Sherby plus North Fire Sound & Friends
As Dub N Grub slowly works its way through some of the UK’s top ranking
Concerts-Performances
Dub N Grub presents Soothsayers & North Fire Sound
The secret of Soothsayers’ longevity is down to the band’s evolution,keeping them relevant in changing
Concerts-Performances
Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher
The intuitive musical interplay between Kathryn and Amy is born out of a long-standing creative
Concerts-Performances
The Breath
The Breath is Manchester-based guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer/flautist Ríoghnach Connolly. They met on the
SITE MAP
OPENING TIMES
Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 4.30pm
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
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© 2026Upfront Gallery and Arts Venue