Since moving house a couple of years ago, we are much closer to the North Lakes and, consequently, Upfront Gallery, at Unthank, near Penrith has become one of our favourite places for a late lunch at the weekend. We are really enjoying exploring the area to the east of Penrith and between the Lake District National Park and the Solway Coast AONB.
The Upfront Gallery is a lovely place, in a beautiful 17th century converted famhouse. As an added bonus the restaurant serves an entirely vegetarian menu - hurrah!! The menu features such favourites as Homity Pie and savoury pancakes, so Chris and I are both happy!
As well as delicious food there is also a gallery with a regularly changing exhibition, and an interesting shop selling pottery, ceramics, knitwear and jewellery. Quirkly, there is a puppet theatre with regular productions. We haven't yet tried the theatre but it definitely looks interesting and maybe something for a cold winter's day.
The owners of Upfront have lavished love on converting the farmhouse and barns. Upfront was originally called Unthank Farmhouse. What a splendid name: Unthank, with its undertones of the Starkadders of Cold Comfort Farm! No idea why I make this connection, it just seems to work! The place-name Unthank is thought to mean a clearing on the edge of a wood, occupied by unwelcome settlers. However, today visitors to the Gallery are always made to feel very welcome and the settlers at Upfront have done a fabulous job.
Upfront Gallery is a wonderful place to relax, chat, people watch and while away a few hours.
The Upfront Gallery is a lovely place, in a beautiful 17th century converted famhouse. As an added bonus the restaurant serves an entirely vegetarian menu - hurrah!! The menu features such favourites as Homity Pie and savoury pancakes, so Chris and I are both happy!
As well as delicious food there is also a gallery with a regularly changing exhibition, and an interesting shop selling pottery, ceramics, knitwear and jewellery. Quirkly, there is a puppet theatre with regular productions. We haven't yet tried the theatre but it definitely looks interesting and maybe something for a cold winter's day.The owners of Upfront have lavished love on converting the farmhouse and barns. Upfront was originally called Unthank Farmhouse. What a splendid name: Unthank, with its undertones of the Starkadders of Cold Comfort Farm! No idea why I make this connection, it just seems to work! The place-name Unthank is thought to mean a clearing on the edge of a wood, occupied by unwelcome settlers. However, today visitors to the Gallery are always made to feel very welcome and the settlers at Upfront have done a fabulous job.
Upfront Gallery is a wonderful place to relax, chat, people watch and while away a few hours.