Upfront Gallery Coffee Shop Puppet Theatre
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Upfront Gallery Coffee Shop Puppet Theatre
John and Elaine Parkinson opened the gallery in 1997, based on a passion for good art and good food. They have combined the two in a unique setting. Elaine was originally a teacher and skills learnt in this role have given her the organisational skills that underpin the planning of the season of exhibitions and artists.

She also makes a strong input into the Puppet Theatre and school visits. The name "Upfront" was chosen to reflect a direct and honest organisation and has now become a key part of its identity. John was trained as a theatre designer at the design school of the English National Opera in London. His first job was as assistant designer for Leeds Playhouse.
Services
NEW DATE FOR 2021 Guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer/flautist Roghnach Connolly. Rioghnach - Armagh born and Manchester based is a folk singer who can be loud, brash and mischievous and. We are looking forward to welcoming back old friends of Upfront Arts Venue For a knees up, dancing folk music session with one of the top live trios in the.
Upfront Cafe has started doing breakfast options - we now sell croissants, breakfast rolls, and the Upfront vegetarian breakfast - featured is our lovely "3 egg free-range omelet" with bread from Seasons Bakery, roasted tomatoes, and baked beans. Our soup of the day is made with a vegetable stock base and is suitable for gluten free diets.
Peter has been a professional artist for thirty-five years and has a studio in Allendale, Northumberland. He is increasingly inspired by the landscape of the North, but also paints cityscape, . Painted images and photographs of a journey around Japan visiting beautiful and mysterious Shinto shrines - the greatest, the oldest, and the newest, enshrining a sun goddess, a mountain, a.
The Gallery has several areas where unusual gifts are displayed and there is a large display of greetings cards. There are also cases of jewellery that contain both designer made work and brightly coloured fun pieces. Our on site puppet theatre has led to a demand for us to sell a wide range of puppets.
Reviews (18)
Ian Waugh
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Seamus Brenan
Seamus Brenan
Aug 13, 2021
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Lovely place , all home made vegetarian food which is really good, all staff really friendly and a lovely setting, well worth a visit๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘
Rachel Waterhouse
Rachel Waterhouse
Jul 29, 2021
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Lovely service, affordable gifts in the shop and delicious vegetarian food. What's not to like? We've supported Upfront for years with our custom and they have always delighted. Hopefully for many more years to come.
Bev Walpole
Bev Walpole
Jun 16, 2021
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Wonderful food. A lovely art gallery to wander around. Great ecolodges to stay with space for children to play outside. A unique experience in the puppet shows.
Murayah Barka
Murayah Barka
May 23, 2021
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Better that the Falkirk Wheel!
Excellent family run venue supporting artists of all kind. A cultural hub for the Cumbrian community. Looking forward to going back to attend a puppet show!
Adele Aitken
Adele Aitken
Aug 10, 2020
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Lovely outdoor puppet show - kids loved it. Socially distanced and very nice cake in the cafe. We will be back for next performance.
Laura Reid
Laura Reid
Aug 09, 2020
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Really enjoyed lunch in the garden and an unexpected outdoor puppet show. We've been enjoying the puppet shows for many years and had a lovely afternoon! Highly recommended!
Anna Nicholson
Anna Nicholson
Mar 05, 2020
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Luvlie people & great food & amazin artwork. we love it here. x
Fiona Gibson
Fiona Gibson
Oct 23, 2019
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I took a friend's little boy yesterday to the 3 Billy Pigs puppet show..he absolutely loved it ..I did too :) A really lovely afternoon out. Thanks Upfront !
Ron Nugent
Ron Nugent
Sep 24, 2019
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Great place, great food and very pleasant staff nothing too much trouble 👍
Hayley Quarmby
Hayley Quarmby
Aug 26, 2019
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My parents took my two children to see Aladdin today and they had a fabulous time. It's the second time they have been and they thoroughly enjoyed it again. My 4 yo is already planning our return trip for Christmas!!
Ian Harrison
Ian Harrison
Jul 15, 2019
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Lovely cakes and scones. Great coffee. Cyclist friendly and always willing to top up the water bottles