From scorching ‘mini-heatwaves’ to the occasional drizzles, weather in the UK can be truly unpredictable. But meteorological skepticism hasn’t stopped outdoor cinema from popping up this part of the world. Londoners have their TikTok-ified Rooftop Film Club but plenty of other UK sites are also being turned into al fresco film screening venues.
On the list? Country houses, cathedral gardens, and even a graveyard.
So, it’s no surprise that three UK entries make it to Time Out’s list of the 30 most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the world. While the top spots are bagged by an open-air venue overlooking the Sydney Opera House, a Los Angeles cemetery and Cannes’s beachfront, a Cumbrian castle comes in at 14th.
The Adventure Cinema sets up shop every summer at the Lowther Castle in Cumbria. In fact, this 19th century Cumbrian country house is a sham castle, but filmgoers have little to nitpick when they can lounge in the 130-acre garden area and tap their feet to open-air screenings of Mamma Mia, Dirty Dancing and a Greatest Showman sing-a-long.
Given the Lowther’s Gothic silhouette and sprawling greenery, one can hope the venue goes on to host the upcoming Downton Abbey movie, a Tim Burton Halloween, or a Merchant Ivory season.
Also making it to the list is the Rooftop Film Club at number 15th. The rooftop in question is that of Peckham’s Bussey Building. Rather than a seasonal venue, this London cinema screens films all year round. Evergreen romances like Notting Hill and The Notebook are usual crowd-pullers while horrors like The Substance and Midsommar are perfect watches as the sun goes down on the city.
Soundproof headphones enhance the experience with deckchairs and blankets adding to the comfort level. And if the weather report predicts a bit of a drizzle, the venue is also stocked up on raincoats.
Finally, at number 28 is Moonflicks at Chester Cathedral. With a 30-foot screen ascending out of the cathedral gardens since 2013, this summer pop-up urges you to bring your own seating but provides you with wireless headphones for a seamless viewing of recent releases like A Complete Unknown and the latest Paddington.
And as tradition goes with open-air cinemas, Moonflicks always has a musical or two in the programme. Grease, Dirty Dancing, Mamma Mia, and as of late, even Wicked, are the usual offerings.
Check out the full list of Time Out’s 30 most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the world.
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