Summer is upon us and (some of the time) delivering the warmer weather and lighter nights so we can enjoy our day for longer. Once you’ve stepped out of winter’s grip you will no doubt be thinking about how to spend your evenings in London. After all, it’s a shame to miss out on seasonal experiences and in this country open air cinemas are firmly relegated to the summer!We’re in the peak season now, with most of them showing films from May to September.
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If you’re feel sceptical then there’s no need. Open air cinemas aren’t just about watching a film outside on a big screen. Almost all have on-site catering and pop-up bars so you can make the most of summer nights with friends. There’s the novelty of being part of a big crowd, all there for the same reason, having the freedom to get up and move around, grab a drink from the bar and busting out your best dance moves to the soundtrack. If this sounds like the sort of thing that you enjoy this summer in London, then you’re in luck. You have plenty of options to choose from; we’ve chosen some of the best below. Rooftop Film Club This is an open-air cinema that comes with a little extra pizazz. Taking place on the rooftop of one of Shoreditch’s premier club, bar and gallery spaces, the Queen of Hoxton is a proud host to open-air film viewings. The schedule changes throughout the summer, so your best bet is probably to check out their website regularly to make sure you’ve got all the info. Both new releases and the old classics feature regularly at the Queen, handily situated in the heart of zone 1. PS. If you’re in zones 2 and 2/3 you don’t need to feel left out, there are also Rooftop Film Clubs in both Stratford and Peckham. Check out the website below for more details. Address: 1 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3JX Nearest Station: Liverpool Street Website: rooftopfilmclub.com
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The Luna Cinema Luna outdoor cinemas spread across London, ranging from the regal surroundings of Westminster Abbey to theimpressive gardens of Alexandra Palace. The pick of the bunch surely has to be the pool-side open air cinema in Brockwell, where you can float around in rubber dinghies whilst enjoying what’s unfolding on the screen in front of you. Check the film though – you probably don’t want to watch Jaws! ADDRESS: Brockwell Lido, Dulwich R NEAREST STATION: Herne Hill. WEBSITE: thelunacinema.com Regents Park Open Air Theatre This classy spot is the perfect location for those who are more interested in live productions and theatre. With an amphitheatre like seating in gorgeous natural surroundings, this is one of the best ways to see theatre. The schedule includes world-famous productions like Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Evita, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This particular open-air theatre in London has its first show on the 16th May and will subsequently run through a number of productions before the end of season finale in late September. ADDRESS: Regents Park, Inner City NW1 4NU
NEAREST STATION: Regents Park WEBSITE: openairtheatre.com/ Open
British Summer Time Open House London has a reputation for hosting a fantastic summer itinerary, but Open House in Hyde Park surely has to be one of the highlights. It features a range of entertainment and live music – plus, of course, the much-loved open-air cinema. Gather a crowd together; daytime films are free of charge which is a perfect excuse to grab your friends, put together a picnic and settle down in London’s most famous park and enjoy the entertainment in its beautiful surroundings. ADDRESS: Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH NEAREST STATION: Hyde Park Corner WEBSITE:bst-hydepark.com/events/open-house